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DESI MS based screening method for phthalates in consumer goods.
Sabine Schulz1, Sebastian Wagner, Stefanie Gerbig
1Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany. sabine.schulz@anorg.chemie.uni-giessen.de.
The Analyst
|April 2, 2015
Summary
Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI MS) offers rapid screening for banned phthalates in toys. This method ensures consumer safety by accurately detecting hormone-disrupting chemicals with minimal sample preparation.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Phthalates are plasticizers in consumer goods, with some acting as endocrine disruptors harmful to children.
- European Union regulations restrict specific phthalates in toys and food packaging to 0.1% w/w.
- Increasing plastic use necessitates rapid screening methods for enhanced consumer safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry (MS) for rapid, quantitative screening of phthalates in toys.
- To assess DESI MS's accuracy and sensitivity for detecting banned phthalates in consumer products.
Main Methods:
- Utilized DESI MS for direct surface sampling of toys under ambient conditions with minimal sample preparation.
- Employed a high-performance mass spectrometer with accurate mass measurements, high mass resolving power, and MS/MS capabilities for reliable identification.
- Developed external calibration curves for six banned phthalates (DBP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP, DIDP) using matrix-matched reference materials.
Main Results:
- Achieved coefficients of determination > 0.985 for calibration curves.
- Quantification limits (LOQs) ranged from 0.02% w/w (DIDP) to 2.26% w/w (DINP).
- Phthalate content in eleven authentic toy samples was determined with relative deviations between -20% and +10% compared to confirmatory methods.
Conclusions:
- DESI MS demonstrates significant potential as a rapid and accurate tool for screening banned phthalates in consumer goods.
- The method's direct surface sampling and high sensitivity contribute to improved consumer safety assessments.
- Further optimization and automation of DESI MS could enhance its routine application in regulatory compliance and quality control.
