Determination Of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Research Articles

Distribution of PBDEs in Atmospheric Total Suspended Particles Collected from Kunming, China

An efficient and reliable analytical method has been used for determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in atmospheric total suspended particles collected from the six state controlling air sampling sites and two self-selection sampling sites in Kunming, China. The results showed that the overall average concentrations of TSP collected from Kunming were in the range of 44.36 μg/m3 to 82.22 μg/m3. This pattern was lower than the average concentrations of Guiyu, Guangzhou and similar to Hong Kong. In TSP, the penta-BDEs and octa-BDEs were the dominant PBDEs and the PBDEs concentration ranged from 12.39 pg/m3 to 71.51 pg/m3, with a mean value of 46.82 pg/m3. This level was below the city of Guiyu, Örebro in Sweden and similar to Hong Kong, Guangzhou. The average concentrations of PBDEs had the trend of descent from the urban center to the outskirts of Kunming.

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in river water by combination of liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Abstract In this work, a reliable and sensitive method for detecting polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) has been developed by the combination of liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. PBDEs were extracted from a large volume of water by liquid–liquid extraction and purified by silica gel chromatography. In order to reduce the deviation, dibromobiphenyl was exploited as the internal standard to minimize differences among the injections. The quantification was performed using an external standard. Good linear correlation coefficients (>0.991) and a wide linearity range (1.0–500.0 ng/L) indicated the steadiness of the proposed method. Moreover, the satisfactory recovery (>75%) suggested that successful determination of PBDEs in river water had been achieved. Furthermore, the deduction behavior of PBDEs in river water could be inferred according to the results.

Development of an analytical procedure for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental water samples by GC–ICP-MS

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants, which due to their widespread use are frequently present as pollutants in the environment. In the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) six PBDE congeners (BDE 28, BDE47, BDE 99, BDE 100, BDE 153 and BDE 154) are listed as priority substances. The uncertainty of the analytical method used for their determination in water samples at environmental quality standard (EQS) level (0.5ngL−1 for the ΣPBDEs) should be equal or less than 50% and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for ΣPBDEs below 0.15ngL−1. To meet these requirements, an analytical procedure for the determination of these six PBDEs in environmental water samples by gas chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC–ICP-MS) was developed. The acidification of water samples to pH 2 maintained the stability of PBDEs for at least 20 days. The use of Tris–citrate buffer enabled efficient desorption of PBDEs from suspended particulate matter (SPM) and humic acids (HA), and their further quantitative solvent extraction into 2mL of iso-octane. When 300mL of water sample was used for analysis and the organic phase concentrated to 25μL, the expanded uncertainty for determination of PBDEs at EQS level was found to be around 40% (a coverage factor for a confidence level of 95%, k=2), and the LOQ for the ΣPBDEs 0.109ngL−1. Finally, to demonstrate the applicability of the newly developed GC–ICP-MS procedure, PBDEs were determined in river and sea water samples.

An optimized method based on MAE-SPE-GC-MS for the analysis of thirteen PBDEs in airborne particles

An efficient and reliable analytical method has been developed for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in atmospheric particulates collected by ultra-fine glass fibre filters.

Determination of tri-heptabrominated diphenyl ethers in indoor dust by chromatoprobe injection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

This study describes an analytical method that involves ultrasonication extraction and chromatoprobe injection–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) in the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in indoor dust. The chromatoprobe injection technique facilitates direct GC–MS analysis of extracts without additional extraction, fractionation or clean-up steps. The instrument detection limits were from 2.60 to 8.08pgμL−1. The calibration curves were linear in concentrations between 0.005 and 0.200ngμL−1 with correlation coefficients of 0.9938–0.9996. The method detection limits were from 283 to 955ngg−1 and the recoveries were between 74 and 129%. The analytical method was applied in the determination of tri- to heptabrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154 and BDE-183) in indoor dust from workplace environments in a university in the Philippines. BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-100 were the main congeners detected in the indoor dust samples. The levels of these PBDEs were within the concentration range of those found in indoor dust in other countries.

Highly sensitive determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface water by GC coupled to high-resolution MS according to the EU Water Directive 2008/105/EC

The analysis of brominated flame retardants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), has received increased interest because of their toxicity and ubiquity. According to European Union Directive 2008/105/EC, the development of highly sensitive and selective methods capable of determining PBDEs at low concentration levels (<0.5 ng/L) is necessary. In this work, an SPE method was developed for the analysis of the six PBDEs (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154) specified by the aforementioned directive in surface waters. The analyses were performed by GC coupled to magnetic sector high-resolution MS. The conditions were also optimized to detect the target compounds in water samples at concentrations below the environmental quality standards established by European legislation. The validated method provided adequate linearity (determination coefficient, R(2) ≥ 0.9960), recovery (101-120%, except for BDE-47 at 5 ng/L, 127%), and precision values (RSD < 20%) at two fortification levels (0.2 and 5 ng/L). The method showed LODs and LOQs ranging from 0.02 to 0.05 and from 0.05 to 0.1 ng/L, respectively. The method was applied in surface water samples, allowing the determination of these compounds at the limits established by current legislation.

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in fishery and aquaculture products using sequential solid phase extraction and large volume injection gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A new method was developed to determine polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fishery and aquaculture products. Samples were extracted by an accelerated solvent extraction system and cleaned up by sequential solid phase extraction (SPE) including dispersive SPE (D-SPE) and tandem SPE. PBDEs and PCBs were analyzed by a large-volume injection gas chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LVI-GC-QqQ-MS/MS). Good linearity (R(2)≥0.9958) was achieved. Method detection limits (MDLs) were 0.16-3.3pgg(-1) (wet weight, ww) for PBDEs and 0.13-0.97pgg(-1)ww for PCBs. Mean recoveries were 60-140% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 20% in weever fish, scallop and shrimp samples spiked at a lower level of 13-31pgg(-1)ww and a higher level of 50-125pgg(-1)ww. Certified reference materials were analyzed with acceptable results. The method reduced solvent consumption, analytical time and labor, and is suitable for the routine analysis of PBDEs and PCBs in fishery and aquaculture products.

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in indoor dust using ultrasonic-assisted extraction and gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in indoor dust was developed. A vacuum cleaner was used for gathering the house dust, and n-hexane was added and the extraction was performed in an ultrasonic bath. The supernatant was concentrated and then n-hexane was added to 0.1 mL. Gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI/MS) has been investigated for the determination of the eight PBDE congeners in indoor dust. The eight PBDEs were separated within 20 min. The absolute recoveries were 53.2% - 107.6%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of intra-day were between 2.8% and 16.5%, while the RSDs of inter-day were between 6.4% and 22.6%. The limits of detection (LOD, S/N = 3) were in the range of 0.003 - 0.015 ng/g except the LOD of BDE-209 was 0.15 ng/g. The results indicated that the proposed method is sensitive, accurate, fast, simple, low solvent consumption and suitable for the determination of tri- to deca-BDEs in indoor dust.

Simultaneous determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in human serum and plasma

Sensitive and reliable methods for simultaneous determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in limited volumes of human serum or plasma need to be further documented especially when they accumulate at low levels that are still capable of disrupting endocrine and immune functions, and affecting neurodevelopment and reproduction. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a sensitive and quantitative method that simultaneously quantifies PBDEs and PCBs in 0.5ml of human serum or plasma. We optimized a solid-phase extraction (SPE) method and used silica particle purification for the extraction of PBDEs and PCBs. Two multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) transitions were optimized for each congener. The sum of the transitions was used for quantification, and their abundance ratios were used for identification. The combined method optimization techniques resulted in limits of detection from 3 to 145pg/ml for 10 PBDEs and 1–12pg/ml for 15 PCBs. Method was solidly validated by analyzing serum fortified with a certified PBDE and PCB standard mixture from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The accuracy was 88–118% and day-to-day precision was within 19%. The method was successfully applied to quantify native concentrations of PBDE and PCB in commercially available human serum. The sensitivity and selectivity of the GC/EI-MS/MS analysis enables it to be the method of choice for investigations of exposures to PBDE and PCB congeners, especially when sample volume is limited.

Ultrasound‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry in negative chemical ionization mode for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in water

A simple and economical method for the determination of eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100,153,154,183, and 209) in water was developed. This method involves the use of ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with GC-MS in negative chemical ionization mode. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, including the type and volume of extraction and dispersive solvents, salt concentration, extraction time, and ultrasonic time, were investigated. A volume of 1.0 mL of acetone (dispersive solvent) containing 10 μL tetrachloroethylene (extraction solvent) was injected into 5.0 mL of water samples and then emulsified by ultrasound for 2.0 min to produce the cloudy solution. Under the optimal condition, the enrichment factors for the eight PBDEs were varied from 845- to 1050-folds. Good linearity was observed in the range of 1.0-200 ng L(-1) for BDE-28, 47, 99, and 100; 5.0-200 ng L(-1) for BDE-153, 154, and 183; and 5.0-500 ng L(-1) for BDE-209. The RSD values were in the range of 2.5-8.4% (n = 5) and the LODs ranged from 0.40 to 2.15 ng L(-1) (S/N = 3). The developed method was applied for the determination of eight BPDEs in the river and lake water samples, and the mean recoveries at spiking levels of 5.0 and 50.0 ng L(-1) were in the range of 70.6-105.1%.

Ultrasound leaching–dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet for determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediment samples by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Ultrasound leaching–dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction using solidification of floating organic droplet (USL–DLLME-SFO) technique is proposed for extraction and isolation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from sediment and further determination by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). Parameters that affect the efficiency of the procedure were investigated by a full factorial (2k) screening design. Variables showing significant effects on the analytical responses were considered within a further central composite design (CCD). The optimization assays have led to following protocol: ultrasound assisted lixiviation of 1g sediment was carried out by using 1.2mL MeOH. Further, the analytes were isolated from 0.4mL of the extract using the DLLME-SFO technique. The microextraction was performed using 0.1mL MeOH, 22mg 1-dodecanol, 1mL NaCl solution 6.15M and 4.4mL ultrapure water as dispersive and extracting solvents, medium ionic strength and dispersant bulk, respectively. Under optimum conditions, the method exhibits good performance in terms of linearity and precision (RSD<9.2%), with recoveries above 71% and limits of detection (LODs) within the range 0.5–1.8pgg−1 dry weight (d.w.). Method validation was demonstrated through the analysis of environmental sediment samples in which PBDEs were detected and quantified. The presence of BDE-47, -100, -99 and -153 was reported within the concentration range of <LOD to 29pgg−1 d.w. The proposed methodology constitutes a suitable approach for the analysis of PBDEs in complex solid samples requires minimum organic solvents consumption, sample manipulation, and increases sample throughput.

Preconcentration and determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental water samples by solid-phase microextraction with Fe3O4-coated bamboo charcoal fibers prior to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

In this paper, bamboo charcoals were modified using Fe3O4 nanosheets for the first time. The composites, as a novel solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber coating, were used for the extraction of seven polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in environmental water samples. The extraction factors (stirring rate, extraction time, and ionic strength) and desorption factors (desorption time and desorption temperature) of the fibers were systematically investigated and optimized. Under optimum conditions, the linear range was 1–1000ngL−1. Based on the ratio of chromatographic signal to base line noise (SN−1=3), the limits of detection (LODs) can reach 0.25–0.62ngL−1. The novel method was successful in the analysis of PBDEs in real environmental water samples. The results indicate that bamboo charcoal/Fe3O4 as an SPME coating material coupled with gas chromatography–negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry is an excellent method for the routine analysis of PBDEs at trace levels in environmental water samples.

Determination of PBDEs, HBB, PBEB, DBDPE, HBCD, TBBPA and related compounds in sewage sludge from Catalonia (Spain)

The objective of this study was to determine different brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in sewage sludge produced in 17 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the Northeast of Spain. A total of eight polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners, from tri- to deca-BDEs, were analyzed. The emerging BFR compounds, hexabromobenzene (HBB), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) were also analyzed. The instrumental methodology for the analysis was based on gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with negative chemical ionization (GC-NICI-MS). Moreover, liquid cromathography-quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-QqLIT-MS/MS) was applied for the determination of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and their related compounds, bisphenol A (BPA), monobromobisphenol A (MonoBBPA), dibromobisphenol A (DiBBPA) and tribromobisphenol A (TriBBPA).The most abundant PBDE congener in these sewage sludge samples was BDE-209, with levels ranging from nd to 2303ng/g dw. In addition, a significant concentrations of DBDPE were also detected, nd–257ng/g dw, due to their increase production as a Deca-BDE substitute. The emerging compounds HBB and PBEB were detected in 4 WWTPs and their concentrations ranged between nd–5.71 and nd–2.33ng/g, respectively. TBBPA was detected in quantifiable levels in 15 of the 17 WWTPs analyzed, in concentration range of nd–472ng/g dw, whereas HBCDs were only found in 8 WWTPs in lower concentrations, between nd and 97.5ng/g dw.Based on the analysis of sewage sludge samples from different WWTPs and in order to evaluate the impact of these contaminants in the environment, an estimation of BFRs accumulated in the total sewage sludge produced in Catalonia was carried out, with values of 57.8kg/year, 6.76kg/year, 13.5kg/year, 1.56kg/year, 0.18kg/year and 0.02kg/year for PBDEs, DBDPE, TBBPA, HBCDs, HBB and PBEB respectively.

Methods for determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental samples – review

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants. They are used as flame retardants in plastics, paints, varnishes and textile materials. PBDEs pose great risk to the environment because of their high persistence and ability to get into the environment easily due to the lack of chemical bonds with the matrix of materials, to which they are added. Global research studies confirmed the occurrence of those compounds in the majority of elements of water and land environment. Analysis of PBDEs in environmental samples is one of the specific analytical methods of criteria that comprise low detection limits and high selectivity. The analysis of PBDEs in environmental samples is one of the specific analytical methods, in which the main criteria are low detection limits and high selectivity. In this article, a literature review of methods for environmental sample preparation and analysis of the PBDE content was presented. The article discusses the potential of modern extraction techniques such as: solid-phase microextraction, single-drop microextraction, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, microwave-assisted extraction, cloud point extraction, hollow fibre-liquid phase microextraction and others for the separation of PBDEs from environmental samples with a complex matrix. Among the methods for qualitative and quantitative determination of PBDEs, a particular focus was put on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with various injection techniques and different types of sample ionisation.

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in house dust using standard addition method and gas chromatography with electron capture and mass spectrometric detection

Monitoring of the environmental fate of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) involves determination of their concentration in air, airborne particles and settled dust. This requires the implementation of appropriate analytical tools like measuring instruments, reference materials and analytical procedures. In this study an analytical procedure was developed for determining PBDEs in samples with a complex matrix composition. The efficiencies of three different extraction techniques – Soxhlet extraction (SE), Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) and Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE) – were compared. The study investigated the possibility of using the standard addition method for estimating PBDEs levels. The GC-μECD system was successfully applied as an alternative to low resolution mass spectrometry (LRMS) for determining BDE-209 in dust samples. The developed analytical procedure was then used to analyze dust samples, collected from houses and computer suites in the Tri-city area (Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot), in order to detect and quantify the presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the indoor environment. Concentrations of studied congeners (from triBDE to heptaBDE), obtained by chromatographic analysis of dust samples extracts, performed applying two measurement systems (GC-EIMS and GC-μECD) ranged between 331 and 3102ngg−1 for house dust and between <LOD and 870ngg−1 for electronic dust. The highest concentrations were obtained for congeners with four, five and six bromine atoms (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100 and BDE-153). Concentrations of BDE-209 ranged from 384ngg−1 (house dust) to 12,553ngg−1 (electronic dust).

Measurements of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in a single drop of blood

A quantitative method that requires only a small volume (50μL) of blood has been developed for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Target analytes in both plasma sample (DBSV) and dried blood spot (DBS) were analyzed by a gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometer (GC/HRMS). Measurements of standard reference materials by the developed method were in agreement with those certified values. Linear correlation coefficients were found to be 0.9984 and 0.9965 for DBS and DBSV analysis, respectively. Other analytical criteria, such as limits of detection, recoveries, precision, accuracy and linearity of the proposed method are also reported. From recovery studies, the addition of formic acid to the extraction solvent was found to be effective in extracting PBDEs and PCBs from filter paper. The PBDE and PCB levels in spiked DBS were monitored at room temperature for up to 30 days and the variations of target analytes were found to be insignificant. Our results suggest that DBS sampling technique is feasible for PBDE and PCBs biomonitoring in human population.

Development of a liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure photo‐ionization high‐resolution mass spectrometry analytical method for the simultaneous determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their metabolites: application to BDE‐47 metabolism in human hepatocytes

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants widely used in electronic and domestic goods. These persistent pollutants are present in the environment and in humans, and their toxicological properties are of growing concern. PBDEs can be metabolised into compounds suspected to be responsible for their toxicity. These metabolites have been characterised quite well in rodents and fish, but available information in humans remains scarce. For their identification, an efficient method for the simultaneous analysis of PBDEs, hydroxylated PBDEs (OH-PBDEs), and other PBDE metabolites in a single run was needed and has been developed in this work. Atmospheric pressure ionisation modes were compared, and Atmospheric Pressure Photo-Ionization (APPI) was selected. After careful setting of APPI parameters such as dopant and operating temperature, the optimised method was based on APPI ionization coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry operating in the full scan mode at a resolution of 60 000. This provided excellent sensitivity and specificity, allowing the discrimination of signals which could not be resolved on a triple quadrupole used as a reference. The full-scan high-resolution acquisition mode allowed monitoring of both parent PBDEs and their metabolites, including hydroxylated PBDEs, with detection limits ranging from 0.1 pg to 4.5 pg injected on-column based on the investigated standard compounds. The method was applied to the study of BDE-47 metabolism after incubation with human primary cultures of hepatocytes, and proved to be efficient not only for monitoring the parent compound and expected hydroxylated metabolites, but also for the identification of other non-targeted metabolites. In addition to hydroxy-BDE-47, several conjugated metabolites could be located, and the formation of a dihydrodiol derivative was evidenced for the first time in the case of PBDEs in this work.

Determination of brominated flame retardants in Jukskei River catchment area in Gauteng, South Africa

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are considered to be environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence and ubiquity in the environment. Little information is known about the presence of brominated flame retardants in South Africa's water systems. Therefore, this study examined and compared different extraction methods (liquid-liquid (LL) vs. solid phase (SP) for water, Soxhlet extraction (SE) vs. ultrasonic for sediment) for extraction efficiencies in the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in water and sediment from Jukskei River. Clean-up of sample extracts was performed using disposable Pasteur pipettes containing neutral, acidified and basic silica gel. Final extracts, after concentration and dilution to 200 μL were analyzed by injecting 1 μL in the GC-ECD and GC-MS. Results obtained showed good recoveries for most of the tested analytes in water; for LLE, values ranged between 80.5 ± 10.22% and 126.6 ± 1.94%; SPE, 70.41 ± 2.01%-124.78 ± 3.78% (n = 3) and for sediment (73-114%, with an RSD <17%) using SE. The ultrasonic extraction method gave less than 50% recovery for most of the congeners. The concentrations of the BFRs in water samples were less than the detection limit while the concentrations in sediment ranged from 1.95 to 36.61 ng g(-1) dry weight for Σ(11) BFRs. Dichloromethane and n-hexane : acetone (2 : 1, v/v) gave optimum value of recovery for water and sediment respectively.

Sensitive determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental water samples with etched stainless steel wire based on solid-phase microextraction prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a solvent-free sample pretreatment technique and has attracted great attention in many application fields. The potential of etched stainless steel wire as SPME adsorbent for the enrichment of organic pollutants has been investigated in recent years. The goal of this work was to investigate the feasibility of using etched stainless steel wire as SPME adsorbents to enrich polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) at trace levels, which are new typical persistent organic pollutants in the environment. Extraction conditions that maybe influence the extraction efficiency such as extraction time, agitation speed, ionic strength, and desorption conditions were investigated and optimized in detail. The experimental results exhibited the good linear relationship over the range of 1–200 ng L−1, and the precisions were 5.2–9.5% under the optimal conditions. The limits of detection could reach 0.2–0.6 ng L−1. Satisfactory results were obtained when the present method was applied to determine the seven PBDEs in real world water samples with the recoveries over the range of 77–118%. All these results indicated that etched stainless steel wire as SPME adsorbents coupled to gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS) was an excellent method for the rapid analysis of PBDEs at trace levels in the environment.

Extraction and determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in water and urine samples using solidified floating organic drop microextraction along with high performance liquid chromatography

We have developed a method, termed solidification of floating organic drop microextraction (SFOME), for the extraction of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in water and urine samples, this followed by quantification via HPLC. This method requires very small quantities of organic solvent consumption. It is based on exposing a floating solidified drop of an organic solvent on the surface of aqueous solution in a sealed vial. The organic drop is easily collected with a spatula, molten (at ambient temperature), and then submitted to HPLC. Experimental parameters including extraction solvent and its volume, disperser solvent and its volume, extraction time, ionic strength, stirring speed and extraction temperature were optimized. The enrichment factors of analytes are in the range from 921 to 1,462, and acceptable extraction recoveries (92%–118%) are obtained. The dynamic linear range for five PBDE congeners is in the range of 0.5–75 μg.L−1 and from 5 to 500 μg.L−1 for BDE 209. The correlation coefficients range from 0.9960 to 0.9999. The limits of detection (at S/N = 3) for PBDE congeners vary between 0.01 and 0.04 μg.L−1. This method has been successfully applied to detecting PBDEs in two environmental waters and in human urine.