Halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), mainly include chlorine flame retardants and brominated flame retardants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are widely used as auxiliary in industrial productions due to their good flame retardancy and little impact on material properties. However, HFRs are persistent in the environment and have multiple adverse health effects to human. One of the approaches to assess human exposure to HFRs is to measure their concentrations in serum with a highly sensitive and accurate method.<br/>We developed a method to analyze HFRs based on gas chromatography-high resolution double-focusing magnetic mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS). The combination of automated liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction was used for sample pre-treatment. Analytes were ionized using positive electron ionization (EI) and detected in voltage selective ion record (VSIR) mode with GC-HRMS.<br/>Compared with other commonly used instrument methods, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), GC-HRMS had less mass discrimination effect. It’s equipped with an electrostatic field ion analyzer and a magnetic field mass analyzer, that enables both energies focusing and directional focusing. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted by the accurate mass number of target analytes and isotope abundance ratio. It can improve the detection sensitivity of target analytes with greater relative molar mass (Mr ≥ 500). Thus, this method was more suitable for the detection of macromolecular HFRs, such as higher-brominated PBDEs and PBBs. The method detection limits and limits of quantitation of 14 PBDEs, 10 PBBs, and 18 PCBs ranged 0.01 to 0.51 μg/L and 0.04 to 1.70 μg/L, respectively. Method precision and accuracy can meet the needs for measuring serum HFRs in general population.

Using gas chromatography-high resolution double-focusing magnetic mass spectrometry to measure halogenated flame retardants in human serum

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.