Thermo Scientific Protecting the Environment - Persistent organic pollutant analysis - Comprehensive workflows for regulatory compliance

Significance of the topic

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are long-lasting, bioaccumulative chemicals that pose severe health and environmental risks. Their persistence leads to biomagnification in food chains and potential contamination of food, water, and ecosystems, with implications for human health and global trade.

Objectives and study overview

This whitepaper presents a complete analytical workflow for POPs monitoring to ensure regulatory compliance under frameworks such as the Stockholm Convention, US EPA, and EU Commission. It covers sample tracking, preparation, instrumental analysis, and data processing for a range of matrices.

Instrumental setup

• Accelerated Solvent Extraction: Thermo Scientific™ Dionex™ ASE 350/150
• Automated Solid-Phase Extraction: Dionex™ AutoTrace™ 280
• Solvent evaporation: Rocket™ Evaporator System
• Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry: TSQ Quantiva™ triple quadrupole, Q Exactive™ Orbitrap
• Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry: TSQ 8000 Evo GC-MS/MS, Q Exactive™ GC Orbitrap, DFS™ Magnetic Sector GC-HRMS
• Chromatography columns and consumables: TraceGOLD™, Accucore™, Hypersil GOLD™, Acclaim™, LinerGOLD™, AVCS vials
• Data analysis software: TargetQuan 3, TraceFinder

Methodology

Samples are logged and tracked electronically, then subjected to automated ASE or SPE-based extraction with in-cell cleanup to streamline preparation. Extracts are concentrated or dried with the Rocket evaporator. Target analytes are separated using high-efficiency LC and GC columns before detection by triple quadrupole, high-resolution Orbitrap, or magnetic sector instruments. Both targeted and non-targeted screening workflows are supported.

Main results and discussion

Comparative studies show accelerated solvent extraction matches or outperforms traditional Soxhlet extraction in recovery and precision, reducing analysis time. TSQ 8000 Evo GC-MS/MS achieves LOQs of 10–60 fg/µL for dioxins, while Q Exactive GC Orbitrap delivers resolution up to 120,000 and sub-ppm mass accuracy across broad concentration ranges. DFS GC-HRMS provides ultimate sensitivity (S/N ≥200 at 20 fg), enabling confident quantitation at femtogram levels. HRAM Orbitrap workflows allow simultaneous targeted quantitation and unknown screening with retrospective data mining.

Benefits and practical applications

• Fully automated sample preparation increases throughput and reproducibility
• High-sensitivity detection meets stringent regulatory limits
• Modular instrumentation adapts to evolving analytical needs
• Integrated software streamlines QA/QC, TEQ calculations, and reporting
• Applicable to diverse matrices including food, feed, environmental, and biological samples

Future trends and applications

Emerging directions include deeper non-targeted screening via high-resolution MS, integration of chemometrics and AI for data interpretation, miniaturized and field-deployable extraction systems, and expanded analysis of novel POPs and transformation products to address evolving environmental challenges.

Conclusion

The combination of advanced automated extraction, high-resolution chromatography, powerful mass spectrometry, and dedicated software delivers robust, sensitive, and compliant workflows for comprehensive POP analysis, safeguarding health and the environment.

References

• US EPA Methods 3545A, 500, 600, 1613, 1668
• EFSA 2008; Jahnke et al. 2007b; Washington et al. 2008
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants