Speciation and detection of organotins from PVC pipe by micro‐liquid chromatography–electrospray–ion trap mass spectrometry

Abstract

AbstractThis paper describes the application of a micro‐liquid chromatography–electrospray–ion trap mass spectrometry (µ‐LC–ES–ITMS) method for separation and detection of organotin compounds leached from potable‐water polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. Dibutyltin (DBT) is added as a heat stabilizer to PVC. DBT was determined in 1 l water samples that had remained static in PVC pipes over several days (totaling 96 h). Other organotin compounds in the leachate were screened for, by using µ‐LC–ES–ITMS. An initial level of approximately 1 µgl−1 of DBT resulted within 24 h, with a subsequent drop and then a rise in DBT levels over the next 96 h to 0.8 µgl−1. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.