Optimization of the analytical performance of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/F)

The analysis of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/F) is often disturbed by the presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). Applying the standard clean-up method according to Hagenmaier only poor separation of PBDE from PBDD/F can be achieved. In this paper a new method using florisil columns is described, which allows an almost complete separation of PBDE from PBDD/F. The PBDE content of a plastic sample in the cleaned solution is reduced from 6,000 – 10,000 ng/μL to less than 30 ng/μL without any losses of Te- to HpBDD/F.