An efficient GC–IDMS method for determination of PBDEs and PBB in plastic materials

In this study, a fast, inexpensive, simple and reliable analytical method, involving pressurized solvent extraction (PSE) system and gas chromatography, coupled to an ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC–ITMS–MS), has been developed. It was validated for determination of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl (BDE-47), 2,2′,3,4,4′,5′,6-heptabromodiphenyl (BDE-183), 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′,6-nonabromodiphenyl (BDE-206) and decabromodiphenyl (BDE-209) ethers and decabromobiphenyl (BB-209) in polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymeric matrix. Certified reference materials (CRM) were used to assess the trueness of the method. Quantification of the analytes was performed by a primary method, i.e. isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). An important advantage of the method is speed. While the analysis of a single sample could take one and half hours, analyses of six samples take 5 h. This is due to the automated PSE system, which allows extraction of six samples simultaneously. Automated system increases the repeatability and reduces analyst dedication and human error input. Recoveries between 79.6% and 93.7% were obtained. GC/ITMS–MS presented high selectivity by eliminating matrix effect so that the LOD values of 0.079–0.493 mg/kg in polymeric matrix were obtained. The method was applied to various selected electrical and electronic products. Sum of the mass fractions of PBDE and PBB analytes in the materials was determined to be under 1000 mg/kg, which is the limit defined by directives.