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Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Real-time Breath Analysis by Using Secondary Nanoelectrospray Ionization Coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 9, 2018
Screening analysis of RoHS directive hazardous substances (phthalate esters and bromodiphenyl ethers) by novel mass
Masataka Ohgaki1, Yuko Takeguchi1, Shin Okawa1
1Hitachi High-Tech Science Corporation, Shintomi 2-15-5, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0041, Japan.
Abstract:
In 2013, the European Union expanded the list of hazardous substances contained in the RoHS Directive. In addition, certain phthalate esters, such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), will be categorized as RoHS-prohibited substances starting from July 2019. Although pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) is a promising analytical method for the screening of phthalate esters, we have developed a novel soft-ionization MS method that is quantitative as well as faster and more convenient for this purpose. The sample was measured three times, after providing the calibration curve using a powdery standard material of SPEX. The data collection time is 5 min, and continuous measurements are completed within 8 min per sample. The mass spectrum was corrected by dividing the intensity by the sample weight. For the coefficient of variation, DBP was 2.9%, BBP was 3.4%, DEHP was 3.6%, and good reproducibility was observed. Precise analyses of phthalate esters using traditional methods can require solvent extraction times of up to 24 h as well as special techniques. Therefore, a screening method that can be easily carried out by anyone within ten minutes is very attractive.
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