Comparison of GC and LC determinations of hexabromocyclododecane in biological samples – Results from two interlaboratory comparison studies

Abstract

In order to assess the quality and comparability of results from determinations of 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in biological samples, two interlaboratory comparison studies have been organized. Up to 13 laboratories determined either the total HBCD concentration, or concentrations of α-, β- and γ-HBCD, or both in cod liver oil, herring filet, salmon filet, butter and chicken meat. The laboratories were able to determine total HBCD concentrations in the marine samples with satisfying quality (RSD <35%). However, the analysis of samples with low HBCD contamination (<about 2 ng g −1 lipid weight) should be improved. No statistically significant differences were found between total HBCD concentrations obtained by LC–MS and GC–MS. To our knowledge, this is the first report on interlaboratory comparison studies concerning the determination of HBCD in biological samples comprising results from a sufficient number of participants to perform a statistical evaluation.