Determination of 1,2-dibromoethane, 1,4-dichlorobenzene and naphthalene residues in honey by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry using purge and trap thermal desorption extraction

A highly sensitive method for the determination of 1,2-dibromoethane, 1,2-dichlorobenzene and naphthalene residues in honey was developed, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with a purge and trap thermal desorption system as the extraction technique. Optimal conditions for isolation and separation were established and calibration curves were constructed. Linearity was held between 2.4 and 300 μg kg−1 honey for 1,2-dibromoethane, 0.5 and 300 μg kg−1 for 1,4-dichlorobenzene and 0.125 and 3000 μg kg−1 for naphthalene. The detection limits were found to be 0.8, 0.15 and 0.05 μg kg−1 honey for 1,2-dibromoethane, 1,4-dichlorobenzene and naphthalene, respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of 25 Greek honey samples. 1,2-Dibromoethane was not found in the majority of the samples, while only one sample was found to contain both 1,4-dichlorobenzene and naphthalene residues at concentrations exceeding 10 μg kg−1.