Characterization of dibromopolychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and dibromopolychlorodibenzofurans in municipal waste incinerator fly ash using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Several fly ash samples from different countries were analyzed for dibromopolychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofurans (DBPCDD/Fs) using capillary column gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Concentrations of these compounds ranged from low to high parts-per-trillion (pptr) depending on the location where the samples were collected. The mass spectrometer, operated at greater than 10,000 mass resolution in combination with the high resolving power of capillary column GC, permitted characterization of DBPCDD/Fs in municipal waste incinerator fly ash for the first time. The isomer patterns of tetra- through octa-congener groups of DBPCDD/Fs are remarkably similar regardless of where the fly ash originated, indicating common mechanisms of formation of these compounds in the incinerators.