Determination of Polybromodiphenyl Ethers and Polybromobiphenyls in Electrical and Electronic Equipments by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

A method for the determination of polybromobiphenyls (PBBs) and polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in electrical and electronic equipments by GC-MS has been developed. The pretreatment procedures, such as solvent selection, extraction method, and column type, were discussed in detail, and standard mass spectral library of PBBs and PBDEs was established. The PBBs and PBDEs were identified by the combination of retention time, isotopic rule of bromine, characteristic ion, and retrieved reference library. The detection limit was as low as 5 mg kg−1, and the recovery rates of PBBs and PBDEs were 92.5% and 91.3%, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was lower than 4.3%. The most important characteristic of this method was its short separation time, which was within 6 min and it is the fastest that has ever been reported. Results that met the directions of Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) were obtained. This method can be used to analyze the bromine-based flame retardant in electrical and electronic equipments, plastic, rubber, and decorative materials for automobiles.