Development and application of an efficient GC-HRMS method for the determination of PBDD/Fs in flue gas and fly ash samples

Abstract

Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs) are emerging trace persistent organic pollutants (POPs) whose toxicity is comparable to or even greater than that of their chlorinated analogs, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs). However, the analysis of PBDD/Fs is particularly challenging due to the potential interference of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their pyrolytic property. In order to enhance the analysis efficiency, a time and solvent saving purification method, which was capable of effectively eliminating the interference from PBDEs, was developed for the analysis of PBDD/Fs. To improve the sensitivity of the analytical method, instrumental conditions such as inlet temperature, initial carrier gas flow rate, ion source temperature, and electron impact energy were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the instrumental detection limit of PBDD/Fs ranged from 0.02 to 0.4 pg/μL. The recoveries of PBDD/Fs in spiked samples ranged from 79.7 % to 118 % (mean: 101 %), with an RSD value range of 2.6 %–10 % (mean: 6.0 %). The developed method was successfully applied for analyzing PBDD/Fs in four flue gas samples and two fly ash samples. The concentrations of ∑14PBDD/Fs were 2.92–7.57 ng/Nm3 and 0.042–8.78 ng/kg, respectively, in the flue gas and fly ash samples. Overall, this method greatly improved the efficiency and sensitivity for the analysis of PBDD/Fs, and it is expected to become an effective tool for the precise monitoring of PBDD/Fs.