Environmental analysis of PCBs at reduced running costs using hydrogen as carrier gas

In this application note, Thermo Fisher Scientific compares the performance of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled to a gas chromatograph (GC) using hydrogen versus helium as the carrier gas for analyzing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are industrial chemicals banned since 1977 due to environmental concerns. The study aims to meet acceptance criteria outlined in US EPA Method 1668. The note discusses the structure and toxicity of PCBs, regulations surrounding them, and the application of GC-MS/MS for analysis.