Analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in chlorinated phenols by mass fragmentography.

A rapid, highly specific method for the analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in pentachlorophenol and other chlorinated phenols is described. The rapid sample preparation procedure includes an alkaline extraction of phenolic compounds and chromatography of the neutral substances on an alumina micro-column. After gas chromatographic separation, individual polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans are detected and quantified by mass fragmentography. The sample purification procedure removes polychlorinated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls and benzenes, phthalates and polychlorinated phenoxyphenols (predioxins), which might otherwise severely interfere in the analysis. Significant levels of hexa-, hepta- and octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and of hexa-, hepta- and octachlorodibenzofuran were found in two commercial products.