Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) as simple and useful sample preparation technique for determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in dust

In the present study a novel analytical procedure for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in dust samples was developed. The main aim of the research was the selection of the optimum conditions of the matrix solid-phase dispersion before the final determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in dust samples. In order to assess the best usefulness of this technique, a favourable ratio of sample amount to the mass of dispersing sorbent, as well as the type of this sorbent used has been tested. The type of sorbent responsible for additional purification (clean-up sorbent) of the extract during matrix solid-phase dispersion was also selected. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry will be used at the final determination step. Preliminary results indicate that the use of matrix solid-phase dispersion can be a promising alternative to other time-consuming and multi-stage analytical procedures. The proposed method provided satisfactory recoveries (76–119%) and limits of detection: 2.1–4.4 pg μL−1 for tri-heptaBDE in linear range of 5–100 pg μL−1; 480 pg μL−1 for decaBDE in linear range of 500–2000 pg μL−1 from only 0.05 g of a dust sample. Finally, the method was applied to study the content of selected polybrominated diphenyl ethers in real dust samples. Some polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners reached up to (16.3 ± 3.0)·102 ng g−1.