SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1988
STP26710S

Determination of Polychlorinated Compounds (Dioxins, Furans, and Biphenyls) by Level of Chlorination with Automated Interpretation of Mass Spectrometric Data

Source

A procedure has been developed to identify and measure members of three classes of chlorinated compounds by level of chlorination. These classes are polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and chlorinated dibenzofurans. A gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a capillary column and interfaced to a computerized mass spectrometer (MS) was used. Mass spectral data were processed with special software that provides automated determinations. With each class of compounds, MS detector response was calibrated using one isomer to represent all compounds at each level of chlorination. A concentration was measured for each isomer group, and total compound class concentration was obtained by summing isomer group concentrations. Results obtained with the software were compared with results obtained when an experienced analyst used standard GC/MS data system software to process the same mass spectral data. Automated procedures produced results that were as reliable and accurate as those produced with tedious, labor-intensive human interpretation and computation.

Author Information

Alford-Stevens, AL
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH
Budde, WL
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH
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Details
Developed by Committee: D34
Pages: 204–212
DOI: 10.1520/STP26710S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5047-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0987-2