Convenient dioxin measuring method using an efficient sampling train, an efficient HPLC system and a highly sensitive HRGC/LRMS with a PTV injector

An efficient sampling method for dioxins from flue gas, an efficient automa tic purification and fractionation method by a new HPLC system using a sulf uric acid-silica/silica column, a Nitro column and a PGC column, and sensit ive determination method by an economical HRGC/LRMS using a programmable te mperature vaporization (PTV) injector were developed. It was confirmed that the dioxins could be easily collected by the proposed simple sampling trai n consisting of only two bottles, and the extracted sample could be purifie d sufficiently and separated as mono-ortho PCBs, non-ortho PCBs and PCDDs/P CDFs completely with the proposed HPLC system. The peak areas of GC/MS were increased linearly with the injection volume up to 40 mul by the PTV techn ique, and the sensitivity could be increased to 20 times higher than usual. This convenient measuring method can drastically reduce operation time, co nsumption of hazardous solvent and cost. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.