Solid phase disk extraction method for the determination of persistent organochlorine pollutants in human body fluids

Solid-phase disk extraction (SPDE) was developed and evaluated for the isol ation and concentration of trace levels of selected persistent organochlori ne pollutants (POPs) from human body fluids (serum, cord blood, milk, folli cular and seminal fluid). Similar methodology could be used for each matrix , the only restricting factor being the viscosity of the fluid. An Empore(T M) C-18 bonded silica extraction disk cartridge was used for the initial ex traction and enrichment of the analytes. Subsequent clean-up of the SPDE el uate was achieved by adsorption chromatography on concentrated sulphuric ac id: silica gel (1:1, w/w). Analysis on two different capillary columns was done by GC-ECD and GC-MS. Recoveries of internal standards calculated from each fluid were ranging from 48% (follicular fluid) to 75% (human milk) and a relatively good reproducibility (RSD<17%) was demonstrated.