Determination of bromine and tin compounds in plastics using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

•A fast screening technique for the presence of BFRs and OTCs by LA-ICP-MS.•A green analytical method with no extensive sample preparation, short analysis times, no use of solvents.•The screening method applies to many types of plastics by optimizing the laser parameters.

The polybrominated flame retardants and organotin compounds were screened in terms of bromine and tin content using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in plastics. The calibration standards were prepared using the fused-disk technique, and all samples were investigated under optimal conditions. Using a central composite experimental design, laser parameters, laser energy, pulse rate, scan rate and spot size were identified. The detection limits of the method were 1000 mg kg−1 and 1600 mg kg−1 for bromide and tin, whereas the relative standard deviation (%) values of the analysis were 9% and 6% (n=3) for ERM EC681k with 770±70 mg kg−1 Br and 86±6 mg kg−1 Sn respectively, and 106–115% of Br and 102–104% of Sn were observed for the tetrabromobisphenol A and butyltin trichloride spike plastics, respectively.

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