Analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in textiles treated by brominated flame retardants

Abstract

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been widely used as additives or as chemical reactants in polymers and textiles. The aim of this study was to develop methods for the analysis of synthesized polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in textiles. Analytical methods for the determination of PBDEs in textile samples were performed, including gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), thermal desorption (TD)-GC/MS, and high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). The experiments consisted of three different sub-experiments that centered on detecting the presence of deca-BDE in textiles by (1) GC/MS, (2) TD-GC/MS, and by (3) target molecule analysis of 27 PBDE congeners by HRGC/HRMS. Results indicated that deca-BDE detection by TD-GCMS was the most precise methodology and did not require extraction or cleanup procedures. The analyses of the 27 PBDE congeners were used for the HRGC-isotope dilution HRMS by EPA method 1614. TD-GC/MS with pyrolysis was the most effective method for monitoring of deca-BDE in textiles because of its simplicity. HRGC/HRMS analysis was the most appropriate method for determination of low concentrations of deca-BDE in textiles compared with the other analytical methods. GC/MS analysis may also be used but high-concentration samples are needed for detection. BDE-28, -66, -100, -119, -153, -197, -206, and -209 were detected in all textile samples by the HRGC/HRMS method, of which the concentration of BDE-209 was the highest. BDE-3, -7, -47, -49, -71, -99, -126, and -156 were not detected in any textile samples.