Comparison of HPLC-MS interfaces in the determination of heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic compounds
- National Research Council of Canada, Halifax (Canada)
- Health Canada, Tunney`s Pasture, Ottawa (Canada)
Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are generally regarded as one of the most widely disseminated groups of chemical carcinogens. In this work, the authors are interested in the determination of some of the heteroatom substituted PACs, particularly those containing nitrogen (PANHs) or sulfur (PASHs) in the aromatic ring structure. The reason for interest in these compounds is the extreme carcinogenicity of many of them. Further, the relative carcinogenicity can vary markedly between different members of a set of isomeric compounds. Any reliable assessment of the hazards associated with exposure to mixtures of PACs must, therefore, include analysis of the levels of these compounds in the mixture. The analytical technique used must also yield information about the relative amounts of different isomeric compounds. The sample chosen for this study is an extract of PACs from the Sydney Tar Ponds, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Tar Ponds represent the end result of approximately 80 years of the uncontrolled discharge of effluent from an industrial coking operation into a tidal lagoon. It is thus a rich source of PAC mixtures. In the present work, the authors have applied two HPLC-MS methods to the characterization of the PASH content of tar pond sample fractions. The methods differed in the nature of the interface between the HPLC and the MS, and in the ionization process. The two techniques studied were the moving belt with EI ionization, and the heated nebulizer with APCI. Comparison was made on the basis of a number of criteria, including ease of use (and of automation), quality of mass spectra provided, preservation of chromatographic integrity, and sensitivity.
- OSTI ID:
- 210600
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9505261-; TRN: 96:001157-0039
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 43. American Society of Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) conference on mass spectrometry and allied topics, Atlanta, GA (United States), 21-26 May 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 43rd ASMS conference on mass spectrometry and allied topics; PB: 1411 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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