Thermo Fisher Scientific has published an application note illustrating how the DSQ II single quadrupole mass spectrometer can quickly analyse flame retardants and pesticides in drinking water.
The application note, entitled 'Analysis of Pesticides and Flame Retardants in Drinking Water According to US EPA Method 527 by Single Quadrupole GC/MS', is available to download from Thermo Fisher's website.
Flame retardants act as thyroid disrupters, which may cause neuro-developmental deficits and cancer.
In response, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced Method 527 to regulate the analysis of flame retardants, pesticides and synthetic pyrethroids in drinking water.
The application note evaluates alternative injection, separation and detection parameters compared with those cited in EPA Method 527.
These alternative parameters are achieved when combining the DSQ II single quadrupole mass spectrometer, the Thermo Scientific FOCUS GC gas chromatograph and AS 3000 II autosampler.
In addition, the Thermo Scientific Envirolab Forms 2.5 data analysis and reporting software is used for workflow optimisation and data review and reporting.
The fast scanning capabilities of the DSQ II and its electronic carrier gas control result in an average instrument detection limit (IDL) of 0.034 ug/L, comparing favourably to those detailed in the EPA Method 527.
In addition, the use of a surge splitless injection with high column flow-rate generates peak widths of three seconds, which are effectively and accurately characterised because of the fast scanning speeds of the DSQ II.
The DSQ II and FOCUS GC combined system meets the quality control criteria of the EPA method over a calibration range from 0.25 to 10 g/L.
The tuning criteria for the tuning compound are also easily met with the low mass autotune feature of the DSQ II, while the mass spectrometer's high mass autotune capability enhances sensitivity for the analysis of flame retardants.
The Envirolab Forms software streamlines workflows for performing the validations and simplifies the data review and reporting processes.
