Application of GC/MS and LC/Q-TOF Towards the Reliable Quantification of Chlorinated Paraffins

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are mixtures of polychlorinated n-alkanes which have been used since the 1930s as plasticizers and additive flame retardants in a range of materials such as polyvinyl chloride, rubber, metal working fluids, adhesives, and lubricants. In recent years health concerns have emerged with evidence of bioaccumulation in aquatic species as well as toxic properties including endocrine disruption and neurological impairment. Chlorinated paraffins have also been detected in terrestrial species including man, with human exposure suspected to occur largely through the diet and unintentional ingestion of contaminated indoor dust.

This webinar provides an overview of two key instrumental approaches for the analysis of chlorinated paraffins and describes some of the major complexities and challenges facing analysts in developing reliable quantification strategies.

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) has been one of the most widely applied techniques for CP analysis due to the relatively simple and common instrumentation. GC/MS has been demonstrated to provide sensitive semi-quantification of the short and medium chain CPs (SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively), but has a limited capacity for long-chain CP (LCCP) acquisition and is unable to fully resolve homologue groups. Liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight (LC/Q-TOF) MS has been applied more recently for simultaneous analysis of SCCPs, MCCPs and LCCPs and provides significant advantages over GC/MS in its homologue resolving capabilities. Nevertheless, numerous challenges remain in achieving reliable quantification and unambiguous characterization of CP distribution.

Who should attend?

• Laboratories looking to instigate or expand their CP analysis capabilities
• Environmental analysis researchers
• Environmental contract research organizations
• Food Safety Scientists

What you will learn

• Key considerations relating to sample preparation, extraction, and cleanup for CP analysis
• The respective strengths of CP analysis by GC/MS and LC/Q-TOF, with method overviews
• The major challenges and latest solutions for CP quantification

Presenter: Dr. Thomas J. McGrath (Postdoctoral Fellow, Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Belgium)