Validation method for determination od PCB congeners in soil using GC-MS

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the most highly toxic species of POPs. More than 200 PCB congeners exist in nature. [1] PCBs are highly toxic for humans. They enter the human body via inhalation, ingestion or sorption through the skin and the bloodstream transports them to the organs, muscles and adipose tissues, where they are accumulated. This study presents the validation of analytical method for determination of 7 PCBs congeners in soil: PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 118, PCB 153, and PCB 180. The method is based on solid- liquid extraction with cyclohexane and the analysis by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS). [2] Samples were analyzed in SIM mode, and the analytes qualitative confirmation was performed comparing the mass spectra of analytical standards of PCB congeners with the NIST data base. The method developed can be applied in range from 0,005 to 10 mg/kg with the appropriate parameters of precision, accuracy, repeatability and linearity and can be used for simultaneous determination of low PCBs concentrations in different types of soil (agricultural, contaminated soil, etc.).