A Consolidated Method for the Analysis of Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Environmental Samples using Automated SPE and GC-MS/MS

Crafting Consensus Methods for Environmental Sampling and Measurement
Oral Presentation

Prepared by M. MacLennan1, K. Hope1, I. Wan2
1 - Pacific Rim Laboratories, Inc., #103, 19575 55A Ave, Surrey, BC, V3S 8P8, Canada
2 - Promochrom, 12180 Horseshoe Way Unit 6, Richmond, BC, V7A 4V5, Canada


Contact Information: [email protected]; 778-835-2439

ABSTRACT

Both EPA Method 608.3 and Method 625.1 are used to determine organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in industrial discharge and other environmental samples. Although Method 608.3 utilizes a halogen-specific (HSD) detection approach, GC/MS in Method 625.1 is cited as an alternative detection approach. The proposed method aims to utilize GC/MS/MS to offer better selectivity and sensitivity over HSD. Additionally, Methods 608.3 and 625.1 only provide the steps for liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) but allow for other clean-up approaches including solid-phase extraction that can reduce extraction time, solvent usage and human involvement. Recent advances in automated SPE, the development of novel solid phases and the increasing use of GC/MS/MS highlight the need for a more consolidated method directed at the simultaneous analysis of OCP and PCB, whose development is described herein.