Analyses of lindane, vinclozolin, aldrin, p,p '-DDE, o,p '-DDT and p,p '-DDT in human serum using gas chromatography with electron capture detection and tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive, selective and reliable procedure was developed and validated t o determine organochlorinated compounds, which present endocrine-disrupting effects, lindane, vinclozolin, aldrin, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE, in human serum. The analytical methodology combines serum extraction with org anic solvents, clean-up of the organic extract using acid treatment with H2 SO4, elution of the cleaned-up extract through liquid column chromatography system and analysis of the fraction eluted by gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detection (ECD) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) dete ction mode. Performance characteristics, such as linearity, sensitivity, pr ecision, accuracy or recovery, of both chromatographic methods were studied . The proposed analytical methodology was applied to analyse the target com pounds in serum samples from women living in agricultural areas of Almeria (Spain). Comparison of the MS-MS and the ECD results was made and the advan tage of the MS-MS operation mode to determine endocrine disrupting compound s in complex matrices is also presented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.