APPLICATION OF DB-5MS GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY COLUMN FOR THE COMPLETE ASSIGNMENT OF 2,3,7,8-SUBSTITUTED POLYCHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXINS AND POLYCHLORODIBENZOFURANS IN SAMPLES FROM MUNICIPAL WASTE INCINERATOR EMISSIONS

The analysis of polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorodibe nzofurans (PCDFs) using four different gas chromatography (GC) columns (DB-5, DB-5ms, DB-DIOXIN and Cp-Sil 88) for the correct assignment an d accurate determination of the 2,3,7,8-chloro-substituted isomers to attain the limit value of 0.1 ng I-TEF/Nm(3) (I-TEF=International Toxi c Equivalent Factor) for the municipal waste incinerator (MWI) emissio ns is described. The DB-Sms GC column allows improvements in the analy sis of PCDDs and PCDFs, especially for several toxic isomers which coe lute with interfering compounds on DB-5, DB-DIOXIN or Cp-Sil ss GC col umns, such as 2,3,7,8-TCDF, 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD or 1,2, 3,7,8,9-HxCDD. In fact, the results indicated that the column allows t he correct assignment of fourteen toxic isomers. However, separation o f 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF or 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF shows inter ferences, which are critical. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.