Changes from EPA Method 218.6 to 218.7 Yield Improved Detection Limits for Hexavalent Chromium
Chromium is a naturally occurring metal that is widely used in steel making, plating, tanning, paints, dyes, and wood preservation. The most common environmental forms are trivalent Cr(III), hexavalent Cr(VI), and the metallic form Cr.
Chromium is a naturally occurring metal that is widely used in steel making, plating, tanning, paints, dyes, and wood preservation. The most common environmental forms are trivalent Cr(III), hexavalent Cr(VI), and the metallic form Cr. The trivalent form is a nutrient and sold as a nutritional supplement, while Cr(VI) is a highly toxic carcinogen and regulated by the US EPA in drinking water and certain waste waters.1, 2 Cr(VI) is also monitored in soils, sludges, sediments, concrete, and leather to prevent exposure. In the US, the Criteria for Maximum Concentration is 0.016 µg/L for surface waters. Many countries also have discharge regulations, including Argentina, Russia and Italy (0.2 mg/L); Brazil, Mexico and Poland (0.5 mg/L); and Hungary (0.1 mg/L). Some countries have set a range for their discharge limits depending on the type of water, such as Chile (0.05–0.2 mg/L) and Tunisia (0.01–0.5 mg/L).
Inside the Laboratory: The Richardson Group at the University of South Carolina
November 20th 2024In this edition of “Inside the Laboratory,” Susan Richardson of the University of South Carolina discusses her laboratory’s work with using electron ionization and chemical ionization with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to detect DBPs in complex environmental matrices, and how her work advances environmental analysis.
Analytical Challenges in Measuring Migration from Food Contact Materials
November 2nd 2015Food contact materials contain low molecular weight additives and processing aids which can migrate into foods leading to trace levels of contamination. Food safety is ensured through regulations, comprising compositional controls and migration limits, which present a significant analytical challenge to the food industry to ensure compliance and demonstrate due diligence. Of the various analytical approaches, LC-MS/MS has proved to be an essential tool in monitoring migration of target compounds into foods, and more sophisticated approaches such as LC-high resolution MS (Orbitrap) are being increasingly used for untargeted analysis to monitor non-intentionally added substances. This podcast will provide an overview to this area, illustrated with various applications showing current approaches being employed.
RAFA 2024 Highlights: Contemporary Food Contamination Analysis Using Chromatography
November 18th 2024A series of lectures focusing on emerging analytical techniques used to analyse food contamination took place on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at RAFA 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic. The session included new approaches for analysing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated alkanes (PCAS), Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOH), and short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs).
Profiling Volatile Organic Compounds in Whisky with GC×GC–MS
November 1st 2024Researchers from Austria, Greece, and Italy conducted a study to analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in Irish and Scotch whiskys using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) Arrow with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC×GC–MS) to examine the organoleptic characteristics that influence the taste of spirits.
