Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of pentachlorophenol in Mason jar lids and home canned foods.

A method was developed for the determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the seals and enamel of Mason lids. After extraction with acidic CH2Cl2 and methylation, the resulting pentachloroanisole was determined by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) with electron capture detection (EC). Three of the 9 brands of lids examined contained PCP. Levels were as high as 198 micrograms/lid. Recoverires from fortified samples ranged from 92 to 103%. Six fruits and vegetables were canned by home canning techniques, using lids shown to contain PCP. PCP in these foods was determined by a procedure specifying extraction with acidic CH2Cl2 and gel permeation chromatography cleanup. Extracts were methylated and determined by GLC-EC. PCP was found in all the canned foods. Levels were as high as 16 micrograms/qt. Recoveries from foods fortified with PCP ranged from 85 to 94%. The presence of PCP was confirmed by GLC-mass spectrometric determination of the derivative, pentachloroanisole.