In this article we look at the determination of phthalate esters in childcare products and children's toys by GC-MS.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) requires testing of childcare products and toys for selected phthalate esters by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The CPSC test method “CPSC-CH-C1001-09.2 Standard operating procedure for Determination of Phthalate” specifies GC–MS analysis in the SIM mode to monitor for low-intensity ions unique to specific phthalate esters, but full-scan mass spectra are also valuable in qualitative identification. Operation of the mass spectrometer in the FASST Scan/SIM mode allows concurrent high speed acquisition of full-scan and SIM mass spectral data to provide improved qualitative identification while still maintaining optimum sensitivity.
TD-GC–MS and IDMS Sample Prep for CRM to Quantify Decabromodiphenyl Ether in Polystyrene Matrix
April 26th 2024At issue in this study was the certified value of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 209) in a polystyrene matrix CRM relative to its regulated value in the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive.
Inside the Laboratory: The Chromatography Laboratory at the University of Rouen
April 18th 2024In this edition of “Inside the Laboratory,” Pascal Cardinael and Valérie Agasse of the University of Rouen in Mont‑Saint-Aignan, France, discuss their laboratory’s work with miniaturizing gas chromatography (GC) columns and systems to improve on-site air analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).