Applications using the chlorine-selective pulsed discharge emission detector

The use of the chlorine-selective pulsed discharge emission detector (Cl-PDED) for the GC analyses of EPA mixtures 502, 612, 624, organochlorine pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls has been demonstrated. The Cl-PDED is the most sensitive chlorine-selective detector with a minimum detectability of 50 fg Cl/s. A constant response/pg Cl was observed for these mixtures regardless of the number of Cl atoms/molecule and structure of the compound to which the Cl atoms are attached. The analysis of standard samples of polychlorinated biphenyls using the Cl-PDED have sensitivities comparable to those of the electron-capture detector; however, the predictable response/pg Cl from the Cl-PDED is preferred over the extremely variable response from the electron capture detector.