Potential interference of PBDEs in the determination of PCBs and other organochlorine contaminants using electron capture detection

Abstract

Retention times of 34 (Br2-Br7) polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners on 30 m 5%-diphenyl-95%-dimethylsiloxane type columns were compared to 131 commonly observed PCB congeners and 26 organochlorine pesticides (OCs). Results from this study indicated that there is a potential for co-elution of 10 PBDE congeners, OCs and PCBs. Of particular concern is the inference of 2,2′,4,4′, tetrabromo diphenyl ether (BDE-47), a predominant PBDE congener, with biologically significant PCB congener, CB-180. Such interference was recently observed in mountain white fish (Prosopium williamsoni) samples collected from Wapiti River in Alberta, Canada, as is illustrated here.