A complete method for the quantitative analysis of planar, mono, and diortho PCBʹs, polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins, and furans in environmental samples

A novel method is presented for the separation and quantitative determination of planar (non-ortho), mono-ortho, di-ortho PCBʹs, polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDDʹs) and dibenzo-furans (PCDFʹs) in environmental samples. The procedure, which combines the advantages of acid-silica and alumina cleanup is then complemented by the separation, of the targeted analytes, by selective elution from an AX-21 Activated Charcoal/ Silca gel cromatographic column based on the “relative planarity” of the molecules. The protocol allows for an independent estimate of the compounds responsible for more than 99% of the “dioxin-like” toxicity by analizing four different fractions using high resolution gas chromatography with electron capture detection and isotopic dilution high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry. The procedure allows the selective determination of AHH active PCBʹs, Planar PCBʹs, Dioxins and Furans at the parts per tillion levels.