The Supelco “dioxin prep system - florisil version” : a multi-layer silica gel column connected in series to an activated florisil micro-column for rapid determinations of pcdd/fs and pcbs in environment

Author:Nicholas Ordsmith

Co-authors:Eric Aries David R. Anderson, Lisa Fitzpatrick and Fiona Barclay

Abstract/Description:
In 2003, Supelco launched in the UK a new sample preparation kit for rapid clean-up of dioxins, namely polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). The so-called “Dioxin Prep System” was composed of a multi-layer silica gel column and of a dual-layer carbon cartridge connected in series. This system aimed at shortening considerably sample preparation time while maintaining high accuracy for performing PCDD/F analysis. Before this system became commercially available, Hall Analytical Laboratories and the Environment Department of Corus R, D and T (particularly its Trace Organic Analysis Laboratory) were invited by Supelco to evaluate it alongside their existing UKAS ISO 17025 accredited procedures. Results showed that the 'Dioxin Prep System' could significantly reduce the sample preparation time while maintaining high accuracy for performing the analysis of PCDD/Fs (2 days of sample pre-treatment vs. 3-4 days using a standard analytical procedure.

Poster presented at:
3rd National Meeting on Environmental Mass Spectrometry - 2006