EVALUATION OF A SEMIAUTOMATED MULTIDIMENSIONAL GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY INFRARED-MASS SPECTROMETRY SYSTEM FOR IRRITANT ANALYSIS

The use of a semi-automated, multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC ) Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) mass spectrometry (MS) system in the determination of components causing contact dermatitis has been in vestigated. Fragrances are widely used in cosmetic and household produ cts and are the leading cause of contact dermatitis. Such products con tain numerous components such as emulsifiers, thickeners, solubilizers , pigments, antioxidants, and many other compounds, which can make it difficult to isolate the compound of interest. MDGC has the capability for component analysis in such complex matrices. A semi-automated MDG C system, which consists of a commercial instrument modified in our la boratory to include two computer controlled valves and a single trap w hich is manually controlled was evaluated for analysis of irritants in a total of thirteen soaps. Using heartcutting techniques, components causing dermatitis were identified in eight of the thirteen soaps by e xamining both the infrared and mass spectra obtained and matching them with computer spectral libraries. Results from these analyses show th at a baby soap and three other mild soaps were free of irritants. Irri tants were identified in the remaining eight soaps. In addition, to de monstrate the versatility of the semi-automated system, the enantiomer ic composition of a chiral irritant in two soaps also was determined.