title: Analysis of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in complex environmental mixtures by LC-APPI-MS/MS.
abstract: Here we developed a highly sensitive, fast and reliable liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the detection and analysis of 16 different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs that have been identified as carcinogens and classified according to their biological potency. Comparison to standard analysis procedures based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instrumentation demonstrated an improved easiness of sample preparation and sensitivity of detection achieved with the new LC-MS/MS method employing an atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) source attached to an API 4000 mass spectrometer (LC-APPI-MS/MS). The favorable outcome could be confirmed by analyzing complex mixtures such as certain Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) obtained from the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), i.e., SRM 1975 and SRM 2975, and several diesel exhaust soots provided by the German automobile industry. Certified concentrations of individual analytes provided by NIST not only could be confirmed, but additional extremely potent carcinogens such as several isomeric hexacyclic dibenzopyrenes (DBPs), 5-methylchrysene (5-MC), and others have been detected in these crude samples in a concentration range down to below 1 ng g(-1) raw material.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteiner Strasse 29, 80802 Munich, Germany. Christoph.Hutzler@bfr.bund.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hutzler
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luch
authors.forename: Johannes G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Filser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D001580:Benzopyrenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D002911:Chrysenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D001580:Benzopyrenes; D002273:Carcinogens; D002911:Chrysenes; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; C041517:dibenzo(a,l)pyrene; C008422:5-methylchrysene