Abstract
High-resolution gas chromatography combined with electron capture negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) mass spectrometry looks to be a promising method for the detection of mutagenic and/or carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). When methane/nitrous oxide mixtures are used as reagent gas, (M - H)/sup -/, M/sup -/, (M + OH)/sup -/, (M - H + NO)/sup -/, and (M - H + N/sub 2/O)/sup -/ are formed in the ion source. Many isomeric PAH can be identified by significant differences in the abundance of these ions. NICI mass spectra and response factors obtained by both techniques are reported for 22 reference PAH. Some practical and instrumental aspects of the NICI mode are discussed. The method has been used for differentiation of isomeric benzofluoranthenes and benzofluorenes from methylfluoranthenes as well as for the determination of PAH in air particulate extracts. 2 figures, 3 tables.
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