Method development for the analysis of N-nitrosodimethylamine and other N-nitrosamines in drinking water at low nanogram/liter concentrations using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography with chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry.
N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a probable human carcinogen of concern that has been identified as a drinking water contaminant. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Method 521 has been developed for the analysis of NDMA and 6 additional N-nitrosamines in drinking water at low ng/L concentrations. The method uses solid-phase extraction with coconut charcoal as the sorbent and dichloromethane as the eluent to concentrate 0.50 L water samples to 1 mL. The extracts are analyzed by gas chromatography-chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry using large-volume injection. Method performance was evaluated in 2 laboratories. Typical analyte recoveries of 87-104% were demonstrated for fortified reagent water samples, and recoveries of 77-106% were demonstrated for fortified drinking water samples. All relative standard deviations on replicate analyses were < 11%.
Munch
Jean W
JW
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, MS-564, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA. Munch.jean@epa.gov
Bassett
Margarita V
MV
D002606:Charcoal; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D000432:Methanol; D009602:Nitrosamines / Q000032:analysis*; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012997:Solvents; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009602:Nitrosamines; D012997:Solvents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002606:Charcoal; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine; D000432:Methanol