Analyzing PBDEs in House Dust Samples with the Thermo Scientific TSQ Quantum XLS Ultra GC-MS/MS in EI-SRM Mode

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were introduced in the 1960s as flame retardants and are currently used in a wide variety of household apparatuses, consumer electronics, furniture and more. Environmental levels of PBDEs have been continuously increasing due to their special persistence. Current analyses are performed using either electron impact (EI) or negative chemical ionization (NCI) GC/MS as a detection technique. In this application note, the EI-selected reaction monitoring (SRM) method is highlighted, and a short comparison is made with a NCI technique. A broad range of PBDE samples and congeners were analyzed, ranging from tri- up to deca-BDEs.