Optimisation and validation of a new gas chromatographic mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous analysis of all regulated flame retardants from consumer articles.

A new method was established for the determination of extractable flame retardants (FRs) from textile, foam, leather and plastic test specimens. The FRs were extracted with toluene from test specimens using ultrasonic-assisted extraction with an extraction time of 60 min at 60ºC. FRs were separated on a DB-XLB column using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with helium (99.9%) as a carrier gas. One target and two qualifier ions were selected for target analyte under SIM/SCAN mode. Pre-treatment parameters were optimised, including the type of extractant, extraction method and extraction time. Under optimised conditions, recoveries of target compounds ranged from 90% to 100.8%. Calibration curve working range was from 0.25 to 5.0 mg L−1 with regression value 0.996–0.998. Relative standard deviation was <15% for test specimens and <10% for pure standards, respectively. Limit of detections were lower than 0.02 mg L−1 level. The proposed method was successfully used for the determination of actual specimens with concentrations ranging from 1.20 to 18.34 mg L−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]