Method optimisation for the simultaneous determination of legacy and emerging halogenated flame retardants in particulate matter collected in an electronic waste recycling facility

Polychlorinated Biphenyl Profile in Polyhydroxy-alkanoates Synthetized from Urban Organic Wastes

“…Extraction of analytes from PHA samples was performed by an ASE 200 accelerated solvent extractor (Dionex, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) equipped with 11 mL stainless-steel cells. In agreement with a previous study [9], extract clean-up was carried out simultaneously to the extraction ("in-cell clean-up") filling the cell with Florisil as sorbent. 10 mg of sample were mixed with 500 mg of Florisil, spiked with 10 µL of PCB internal standard solution ( 13 C marked PCB60 and 13 C marked PCB153, 0.5 ppm) and extracted twice with ASE200.…”

“…Since the analytical procedure was developed for environmental samples [9], it was necessary to assess method performance with the polymer matrix. Therefore, in the absence of certified reference materials of matrices similar to PHA polymer, an in-house reference material consisting of commercial polymer samples spiked with analytes was prepared as recommended by AOAC International and other authors [33][34][35].…”

“…The MS was operated in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode for quantitation of target compounds. All the MS parameters are reported in [9]. The PCB analyzed were: PCB28, PCB77, PCB81, PCB99, PCB101, PCB105, PCB110, PCB114, PCB126, PCB138, PCB146, PCB151, PCB156, PCB157, PCB167, PCB169, PCB170, PCB177, PCB180, PCB183, PCB187, PCB190.…”

“…In the past, PCBs were used extensively as hydraulic fluids, flame retardants, plasticizers, etc. [6] and, to date, they can still be released in the environment following the dismantling of old devices, the disposal of manufactured products and the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment [7][8][9].…”

“…Gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (GC/NCI-MS) was used for PCB analysis. Since the procedure was developed for environmental samples [9], it was necessary to assess method performance with polymer matrix and potential interferences due to matrix components were estimated. Lastly, samples of PHA produced in two bioreactors fed with organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW)/biological sludge and wastes from fruit processing industry were analyzed in order to verify if use of municipal wastes in PHA production is safe for the environment and human health.…”