Simultaneous determination of pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and phthalate esters in human adipose tissue by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

This paper describes a method for the simultaneous determination of 284 environmental contaminants, including 57 pesticides, 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 209 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 3 phthalate esters (PAEs), in adipose tissue samples. For the first time, a gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) method following a homogenised extraction using acetonitrile and purification by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used. Various performance characteristics, such as the limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), linear range, recovery and precision, were determined for each analyte. The LOD for most analytes was below 0.01 mg/kg. The recoveries and relative standard deviations (RSDs) were determined by spiking untreated samples with the analytes at the LOQ, 2 × LOQ and 4 × LOQ levels. The average recovery for most pesticides was between 70% and 120% and the precision values, expressed as RSD, were all below 20.4% (n = 6). This method may provide an efficient tool for evaluating the extent of exposure to organic contaminants using human adipose tissue.

► We established a GC–MS/MS method for determination of 284 analytes in adipose sample.
► We conducted systematic method optimisation, including extraction and cleanup.
► Method validation showed performance characteristics for each analyte were satisfied.
► The method has been successfully applied for human adipose tissue samples.
► It was an efficient tool for evaluating human exposure extent of contaminants.