Development of a Method for the Determination of Organic Contaminants in Biological Tissue and Its Application to International Comparisons

Abstract

An analytical method for the determination of persistent organic pollutants in biological tissues by using pressurized fluid extraction (PFE), followed by isotope-dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, has been established. We participated in international comparisons (CCQM-P40, 57, 67) on the determination of organic contaminants in mussel (Mytilus edulis) tissue between national metrology institutes by using an analytical method. Details of our results for the determination of the target compounds (five polychlorinated biphenyl congeners, two pesticides and five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are described in terms of a quantification procedure using an equation that has been used to describe the isotope-dilution method, and an evaluation of the uncertainties of the measurement. Some results of the international comparisons are also given, in which our results are comparable to those reported by a majority of the participants.