The Analytical Scientist / Issues / 2016 / Feb / Dioxin Determination in Air Filter Samples Using Pressurized Solvent Extraction (PSE)
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Dioxin Determination in Air Filter Samples Using Pressurized Solvent Extraction (PSE)

Extraction of air sampling filters for the determination of dioxins using BUCHI’s SpeedExtractor E-914

02/04/2016 1 min read

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This application note demonstrates the use of Pressurized Solvent Extraction (PSE) for the extraction of air sampling filters for the determination of dioxins. The extraction with the SpeedExtractor E-914 takes less than 1 hour and the results are comparable to those obtained by 16 hours of Soxhlet extraction.

Introduction
Dioxins (PCDDs) and furans (PCDFs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Pretreatment methods are required to analyze dioxins, including extraction, purification and concentration prior to analysis by GC/HRMS. Soxhlet extraction, required by official methods, takes up to 16 hours and is the “bottleneck” of the procedure. This application note shows the suitability of Pressurized Solvent Extraction for PCDD/F preparation for analysis in air filters.
PUF samples loaded in SpeedExtractor E-914 cell
Figure 2: Concentration of dioxin congeners on PUF filters [pg/m3], extracted in parallel with PSE and Soxhlet

Experimental
Quartz fiber filter paper (QFF) and Polyurethane foam (PUF) were placed in a high volume air sampler (HV-700, Sibata, Japan, flow rate 700 L/min) for 3 days on the roof of the Osaka City Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science. After sampling, load the filters into the SpeedExtractor E-914 extraction cells. The PUF filters are loaded as shown in Figure 1. Extract the filters with toluene using the SpeedExtractor E-914 with the following parameters: Toluene at 100 °C (QFF) and 80 °C (PUF), 100 bar, for 3 cycles of 3 minutes each. The total extraction time was 53 minutes. In parallel, extract the filters with Soxhlet for 16 hours. The cleaned-up and concentrated extracts can be analyzed by HRGC/HRMS.
Results and discussion
The comparison of three PUF filters extracted in parallel with SpeedExtractor E-914 and with Soxhlet showed, that the determined concentrations of dioxins and furans are comparable. Figure 2 shows the determined concentrations of dioxin congeners.
Conclusions
The determination of PCDD/PCDFs with the SpeedExtractor E-914 provides reliable and reproducible results. The determined concentrations with PSE are comparable with those obtained by Soxhlet extraction. The PSE method takes 53 minutes compared to the 16 hours for the Soxhlet extraction.

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