An Alternate Testing Protocol to EPA 1613B for PCDD/Fs on an Agilent 8890–7010D GC/MS/MS: Performance Confirmation by Matrix Spikes and NIST SRM 2706New Organic Monitoring Techniques
Poster Presentation
Prepared by A. Cuthbertson1, A. Andrianova2, J. Ferrer1
1 - Agilent, 2850 Centerville Rd, Wilmington, DE, 19805, United States
2 - Agilent Technologies, 2850 Centerville Rd, Wilmington, DE, 19808, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 302-332-6928
ABSTRACT
We outline an isotope dilution GC/MS/MS workflow on an Agilent 8890 GC coupled to a 7010E triple quadrupole operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) for the determination of the 17 toxic 2,3,7,8 substituted PCDD/F congeners as an alternate approach to EPA Method 1613B (SGS AXYS Method 16130). The method uses a 60 m DB 5 GC column and incorporates an Agilent Reference Compound Introduction Valve (RCIV) to introduce a low, continuous flow of PFTBA, enabling ongoing checks of ionization and transmission analogous to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) lock mass practices. Calibration, product ion ratio criteria, and instrument readiness checks are aligned with 1613B QA/QC expectations. Method performance was validated through matrix spike/duplicate experiments across representative matrices (e.g., water, solids, tissues) and by analyzing NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2706 (New Jersey Soil) to establish trueness in a soil like matrix. Targets for linearity, sensitivity (relative to 1613B method reporting limits), and precision are informed by previously reported GC/TQ studies with this platform; with final validation with spike recoveries and agreement with SRM certificate or reference values. This work is intended to document a practical, lower complexity alternative to HRMS that can meet 1613B performance requirements when appropriate QA/QC measures are applied. Finally, we have developed a data reporting package that meets 1613B requirements including QA/QC checks (CC, LCS, MSD), and unknown estimated concentrations.
