Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls Using GC-MS/MS Operated in the MRM Mode

Poster Presentation

Prepared by B. Prakash, W. Lipps, T. Ogura, R. Kitano, N. Lock, L. Chambers
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc., 7102 Riverwood Drive, Columbia, MD, 21046, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 410-910-0903


ABSTRACT

The determination of chlorinated pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in environmental matrices are common analyses in most environmental laboratories. These compounds are typically analyzed by employing solid phase or liquid liquid extraction with Methylene chloride, concentration, solvent exchange into hexane, and interference removal using acid, copper, or column chromatography. Analysis is done using gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detection (ECD) and requires confirmation of every detected component on another, dissimilar GC column. GC-ECD techniques are prone to positive and negative bias in complex matrices resulting in unnecessary cleanup costs and/or violations of NPDES permits. Clearly, a new method for pesticides and PCBs, based on modern GCMS technology, is needed.

This poster describes the use of a tandem GC-MS/MS method using Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode for sensitive and selective detection and quantitation of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs. A database with optimized MRM transitions for all of the OCPs and PCBs including relative retention times for all components makes method setup possible within minutes. The use of GCMSMS MRM mode provides enhanced selectivity, specificity and sensitivity in complex matrices with potential co-eluting interferences.

This poster presents all instrument operating conditions, and instrument method performance statistics including method linearity, accuracy, precision, and instrument detection limits for all compounds.

Abstract submission information
Methodology: 12. Gas Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Application: H. Environmental
Primary Focus: Application
Keywords: 252. Tandem Mass Spec, 226. Semi-Volatiles, 188. PCBs, 190. Pesticides