Quantitative determination of endocrine-disrupting polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorinated pesticides in human serum using gas chromatographywith electron-capture detection and tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive, selective and reliable procedure was developed and validated t o determine organochlorinated compounds, which have endocrine-disrupting ef fects, in human serum. Target compounds were selected between polychlorinat ed biphenyls and organochlorinated pesticides. Sample workup consisted of ( 1) extraction of serum with organic solvents, (2) clean-up of the organic e xtract using acid treatment with H2SO4, (3) elution of the cleaned-up extra ct through a liquid column chromatographic system and (4) analysis of the f raction eluted by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (ECD) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) detection, Performance characteristics , such as Linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy and recovery, of both chromatographic methods were studied, The proposed analytical methodology was applied to determine the target compounds in serum samples from women l iving in agricultural areas of Almeria (Spain), The results show the advant age of MS/MS over ECD in the analysis of real human serum samples where mat rix interferences can be confused with target pesticides, Copyright (C) 200 0 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.