Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS) is the most reliable and accurate method for measuring polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs). High-resolution gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (referred to as magnetic double-focusing mass spectrometry) has been recommended as the ‘gold standard’ for the determination of PCDD/Fs in various samples. Many techniques and instruments, such as triple quadrupole MS (QqQ-MS), time-of-flight MS (TOF-MS), ion trap MS (IT-MS), Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance MS (FTICR-MS), and orbitrap MS, have been employed for the determination of PCDD/Fs. In this review, the progress in MS-related techniques used for PCDD/F determination in different matrices is updated. The sensitivity, recovery, and precision of these methods are summarized. The potential applications and unique merits of MS as a novel technique for the determination of PCDD/Fs are discussed.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.