title: Rapid method for the simultaneous determination of DDTs and PCBs in hair of children by headspace solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HSSPME/GC-MS).
abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a rapid and cost efficient hair extraction method, using the headspace solid phase microextraction (HSSPME) technique for the simultaneous determination and biomonitoring of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane) (DDT) and its isomers/metabolites and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in hair samples. A total of 72 head hair samples were collected from children living in urban and rural regions of the island of Crete. Two hundred milligrams of hair were digested under alkaline conditions and thermostated for 30 min at 90°C while a 65 µm PDMS/DVB fibre was exposed into the headspace of the vial. Analytical parameters of the method (time of incubation, agitation speed, recovery, precision, accuracy, carry over, matrix effect, linearity, and selectivity) were examined. Recoveries of the DDTs in the spiked hair samples were calculated from 42.3% for opDDD to 87.1% for opDDE, while recoveries for PCB congeners were from 52.6% for PCB138 to 96.6 % for PCB28. The method was applied for the analysis of authentic hair samples. Significant differences (p=0.001) of the burden to total DDTs (sumDDTs) as well as of the frequencies of detection of positive samples (p=0.020) were observed between the examined regions. Moreover, significant differences in the detected concentrations of PCB congeners were observed for PCB52 (p<0.001) and PCB28 (p=0.017) as well for their prevalence between urban and rural regions. Application of HSSPME for the biomonitoring of DDTs and PCBs biomarkers in hair was tested and successfully applied to the analysis of spiked and authentic hair samples. HSSPME was found to be substantially simpler and faster procedure than previous reported sample treatment procedures.
authors.affiliation: Center of Toxicology Science and Research, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Manolis N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Tzatzarakis
authors.forename: Emmanouil G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Barbounis
authors.forename: Matthaios P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kavvalakis
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vakonaki
authors.forename: Elisavet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Renieri
authors.forename: Alexander I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Vardavas
authors.forename: Aristidis M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tsatsakis
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003634:DDT / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006115:Greece; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D012424:Rural Population; D052617:Solid Phase Microextraction / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D003634:DDT; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: DDTs; HSSPME; PCBs; biomonitoring; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; hair