Determination of PBDEs in Sediment Samples using the SpeedExtractor E-914

Introduction

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants used in a myriad of applications and are monitored worldwide because of health concerns. In this application, PBDE congeners were extracted from two sediment samples (certified sample and sediment core from Lake Maggiore) according to EPA 3545A [1] using the SpeedExtractor E-914 and determined by GCMS/GC-ECD. The results were comparable to the certified values and showed high reproducibility and recovery.

PBDEs are brominated flame retardants used in a myriad of applications (Figure 1). They are monitored worldwide because of health concerns. Bay and estuary sediments store toxic compounds and are therefore very appropriate sites to evaluate the contamination level of PBDEs in the environment.

This application note describes the extraction of PBDEs from two sediment samples using the SpeedExtractor E-914: one certified sediment sample BROC-02 (RIVO, The Netherlands), one real sample from lake Maggiore, Italy. The PBDE congeners were determined by GCMS/GC-ECD.