Mass Spectral Confirmation of Chlorinated
         and Brominated Diphenylethers in
                   Human Adipose Tissues
                                 Final Report
                                          By
                                Paul H. Cramer
                                John S. Stanley
                             Kelly R. Thornburg
     For U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
          Exposure Evaluation Division, TS-798
                   Office of Toxic Substances
                             401  M Street, SW
                      Washington, D.C. 20460

    Ms. Janet C. Remmers, Work Assignment Manager
  Mr. John Schwemberger, Work Assignment Manager
             Dr. Joseph J. Breen, Program Manager
                      EPA Contract No. 68-02-4252
                             Work Assignment 27
                        MRI Project No. 8863-A(27)

                  U.S. Environment!  ' ' :' • A:cncy
                  Region 5, Library
                  77 West Jackso:: I
                  Chicago, IL 6060-i .

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                                  DISCLAIMER
          This document has been reviewed and  approved  for publication by the
Office  of  Pesticides  and  Toxic  Substances,   U.S.  Environmental  Protection
Agency.   The  use of trade  names for commercial products  does  not constitute
Agency endorsement or recommendation for use.

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                                   PREFACE
          This report provides a summary of  the  work completed to confirm and
quantitate, inasmuch as  available  standards would  allow, the  level  of poly-
chlorinated and  polybrominated diphenylethers  (PCDPEs  and  PBDPEs)  in human
adipose tissues.  The samples  analyzed  were  previously prepared from selected
FY87  NHATS specimen composites  that  were  analyzed for  polychlorinated  and
polybrominated  dibenzo-p-dioxins  and  dibenzofurans.   The  results  from  the
determination  of  the  halogenated   dibenzo-p-dioxins   and  dibenzofurans  are
presented  in  separate  reports.   This  work  was  conducted under  EPA Contract
No. 68-02-4252,  Work  Assignment 27,  "Analysis  of   Human  Adipose  Tissue  for
Oioxins and Furans."

          The data and  reporting activities were  generated by Midwest Research
Institute  (MRI)  under the direction  of  Mr.  Paul  H.  Cramer  and  Dr. John S.
Stanley for EPA's Office  of Toxic Substances, Field Studies Branch.  Mr. Kelly
Thornburg conducted the HRGC/HRMS analysis.

                                               MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
                                               5aul C. Constant
                                               Program Manager
Reviewed:
               s——V
Jack Balsinger
Quality Assurance Coordinator
  fan E. Going, Ph.D.
Director
Chemical Sciences Department
                                     m

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                            Page
r r ei aoe.
List of
List of
Glossary
Executiv
I.
II.
III.
IV.






V.






VI.
VII.
VIII.
Figures 	
Tables 	

e Summary 	
Introduction 	
Ob ject i ves 	
Techni cal Approach 	
Experimental 	
A. Confirmation of Polychlorinated and Poly-
brominated Diphenylethers by Full Scan HRGC/MS....
8. Confirmation/Quantitation of Polychlorinated
Diphenylethers (PCDPEs) by HRGC/HRMS-SIM 	
C. Detection of Polybrominated Diphenylethers
(PBDPEs) by HRGC/HRMS-SIM 	
Results 	
A. Full Scan HRGC/MS Confirmation of PCDPEs
and PBDPEs 	
B. HRGC/HRMS-SIM Confirmation/Quantitation of
Polychlorinated DPEs (PCDPEs) 	
C. HRGC/HRMS-SIM Detection of Polybrominated
DPEs (PBDPEs) 	
Conclusions 	
Recommendations for Further Study 	
References 	
iii
vi
vm
IX
XT
1
5
5
7

7

7

12
15

15

19

35
49
50
51

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                                LIST  OF  FIGURES

Figure                                                                    Page

   1     Reconstructed ion chromatogram from the HRGC/MS full scan
         (100-1000 amu) analysis of sample 16289 (ACD8700167)	      16

   2     Comparison of the full scan (100-1000 amu) mass spectra of
         a 2,2',3,3I,4,4',5,5',6'-NCDPE standard vs. a NCOPE
         isomer response in sample 16289 (ACD8700167)	      17

   3     Full scan (100-1000 amu) mass spectra of a HxBDPE isomer
         in sample 16289 (ACD8700167)	      18

   4     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram for determination of a
         640-pg/yL standard of HxCDPE	      25

   5     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram for the analysis of
         sample 16289 (ACD8700167) for HxCDPE	      26

   6     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of a
         640-pg/yL standard of 2,2',3,4',5,5',6'-HpCDPE	      27

   7     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of
         sample 16289 (ACD8700167) for HpCDPE	      28

   8     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of a
         640-pg/yL standard of 2,2',3',4,4',5,5',6'-OCDPE	      29

   9     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of
         sample 16289 (ACD8700167) for OCDPE	      30

  10     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of a
         640-pg/yL standard of 2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6-NCDPE	      31

  11     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of
         sample 16289 (ACD8700167) for NCDPE	      32

  12     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of a
         640-pg/yL standard of 2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-DCDPE	      33

  13     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of
         sample 16289 (ACD8700167) for DCDPE	,	      34

  14     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of a
         1000-pg/yL standard of Bromkal 70-5-DE for HxBDPE	      38

  15     HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of
         sample 16317 (ACD8700407) for HxBDPE	      39

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LIST OF FIGURES (continued)
Figure
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of a
1000-pg/yL standard of Bromkal 79-8-DE for HpBDPE 	
HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of
sample 16317 (ACD8700407) for HpBDPE 	
HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of a
1000-pg/yL standard of Bromkal 79-8-DE for OBDPE 	
HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of
sample 16317 (ACD8700407) for OBDPE 	
HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of a
1000-pg/yL standard of Bromkal 79-8-DE for NBDPE 	
HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of
sample 16317 (ACD8700407) for NBDPE 	
HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of a
1000-pg/yL standard of Bromkal 79-8-DE for DBDPE 	
HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of
sample 16317 (ACD8700407) for DBDPE 	
Composite mass chromatograms for comparison of PCDPEs between
Bromkal standards (70-5-DE and 79-8-DE) and an FY87
NHATS sample 	
Page
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48

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                                LIST OF TABLES

Table                                                                     Page

   1     Estimated Polychlorinated Diphenylether (PCDPE)
         Concentrations in NHATS FY87 Composites		      2

   2     Estimated Polybrominated Diphenylether Lipid Concentrations
         in NHATS FY87 Composites	      3

   3     Overall Analytical Scheme for Confirmation of PBOPEs and
         PCDPEs			      6

   4     HRGC/MS Parameters	      8

   5     Ions Monitored for the Determination of PCDPE	     10

   6     Polychlorinated Diphenylethers (PCDPE) Calibration
         Standards (pg/yL)	     11

   7     Ions Monitored for the HRGC/HRMS-SIM Determination of PBDPE..     13

   8     Chlorinated Diphenylether Relative Response Factors
         (RRFs)	     20

   9     Theoretical Vs. Measured Ion Ratios for PCDPEs in the
         FY87 NHATS Samples	     21

  10     Estimated PCDPE Concentrations in Selected FY87 NHATS
         Samples	     23

  11     Theoretical Vs. Measured Ion Ratios for PBDPEs in the
         FY87 NHATS Samples	     36

  12     Polybrominated Diphenylether (PBDPE) Detection Summary	     37

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                                   GLOSSARY

BCD              Battelle Columbus Division
DPE              Diphenylether
BDPE             Decabromodiphenylether
DCDPE            Decachlorodiphenylether
EED              Exposure Evaluation Division
EPA              Environmental Protection Agency
FY               Fiscal year
HOPE             Halogenated diphenylether
HpBDD            Heptabromodibenzo-p-dioxin
HpBDF            Heptabromodibenzofuran
HpBDPE           Heptabromodiphenylether
HpCDD            Heptach1orod i benzo-p-d i ox i n
HpCDF            Heptachlorodibenzofuran
HpCDPE           Heptachlorodiphenylether
HxBDD            Hexabromodibenzo-p-dioxin
HxBDF            Hexabromodibenzofuran
HxBDPE           Hexabromodiphenylether
HxCDD            Hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
HxCDF            Hexachlorodibenzofuran
HxCDPE           Hexachlorodiphenylether
IQS              Internal quantitation standard
MRI              Midwest Research Institute
MSA              Metropolitan Statistical Area
NBDPE            Nonabromodiphenylether
NCDPE            Nonachlorodiphenylether
NHATS            National Human Adipose Tissue Survey
OBDD             Octabromodibenzo-p-dioxin
OBDF             Octabromodibenzofuran
OBDPE            Octabromodiphenylether
OCDD             Octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
OCDF             Octachlorodibenzofuran
OCDPE            Octachlorodiphenylether
OTS              Office of Toxic Substances
PBDD             Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxin
PBDF             Polybrominated dibenzofuran
PBDPE            Polybrominated diphenylether
PCBs             Polychlorinated biphenyls
PCDD             Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
PCDF             Polychlorodibenzofuran
PCDF   .          Polychlorinated dibenzofuran
PCDPE            Polychlorinated diphenylether
PeBDD            Pentabromodibenzo-p-dioxin
PeBDF            Pentabromodibenzofuran
PeCDD            Pentach1orod i benzo-p-d ioxin
PeCDF            Pentach1orodibenzofuran
PHDD             Polyholgenated Dibenzo-p-dioxin
PHDF             Polyholgenated Dibenzofuran
PHDPE            Polyholgenated Dibenzodiphenylether
RS               Recovery standard
TBDD             Tetrabromod i benzo-p-d i ox i n
TBDF             Tetrabromodibenzofuran
TCDD             Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
TCDF             Tetrachlorodibenzofuran
TSCA             Toxic Substances Control Act
                                          ix

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                               EXECUTIVE  SUMMARY


          This study has  resulted in the detection  and  confirmation of poly-
halogenated diphenylethers  (PHDPEs)  in human  adipose tissues.   The PHDPEs are
of  interest  because  of  their  planar  aromatic  structure  and  potential
toxicological properties.   The PHDPEs  are commercially produced as brominated
fire retardants and are known  contaminants  in some other commercial products,
e.g., pentachlorophenol.   The  samples that were analyzed  were selected from
composites of the fiscal  year  1987 National Human Adipose Tissue Survey (FY87
NHATS)  repository.    The  identifications were  based on  both full  scan  and
selected ion monitoring (SIM) high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).

          This confirmation study was conducted  as  a result  of  responses to
the PHDPE compounds observed during the preliminary  analysis of the FY87 NHATS
composites  for polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins  and  dibenzofurans  (PHDDs/
PHDFs).   Concentrations  of the  PHDPEs  were  estimated  from  the preliminary
analysis efforts, which focused on the determination of PHDDs and PHDFs.  The
analysis  efforts  for  PCDPEs  and  PBDPEs   summarized  in  this  report  were
conducted  using   standard  solutions   of   several   compounds  and  compound
mixtures.   Identification of the  PHDPEs  was  based  on comparison of full scan
mass  spectra of the  samples to  the available standards,  application  of SIM
techniques  to compare  theoretical  ion  ratios   to  observed  ion  ratios  for
characteristic ions, and  measurement of fragment  losses from the molecular ion
clusters.   Data  pertaining to  estimated  concentrations,  and  tentative isomer
identification were achieved through comparison of responses from the analysis
of  a  PCDPE  standard solution,  and  the results of the analysis of two commer-
cial  fire  retardants   and  the analysis  of  a   decabrominated diphenylether
standard.

          Briefly, the approach was as follows.   Four  samples were analyzed by
full  scan  GC/MS.   Both nonachloro-  and  hexabromodiphenylethers were observed
under  the  full scan  conditions.   Five  samples  were  analyzed  for  PCDPEs and
five for PBDPEs by high resolution SIM.

          All samples were found to contain  detectable  levels of the PHDPEs.
The  response profiles  or  patterns  for   both  the chlorinated  and  brominated
diphenylethers  were  consistent  across   all   samples  regardless  of  age  or
geographic  region.   Analysis  of laboratory  method  blanks  that had  been
prepared  with  the  FY87  NHATS  sajnples demonstrated  no  contribution  from
laboratory background.

          The  values   calculated  in   this  confirmation  study  versus  the
authentic  PCDPE  standards are  comparable  with  the  estimates  of  the  PCDPE
levels from  the preliminary analysis effort.   Hence, the data generated using
the PCDF RRF measurements are  considered good preliminary values of levels in
the general  U.S.  population.   Based on  the comparison of results between the
two analysis efforts,  it  is possible to  extrapolate approximate or estimated
concentrations of  these  compounds in the  FY87  NHATS analysis  effort.   The
levels  of  PCDPEs  reported, however,  have  a number of  caveats:   the  sample
preparation  procedures   are  not  optimized  for  PCDPE  recoveries  and  the
quantitations  are  based   on  recoveries  of  carbon  13-labeled  PCDF  internal
                                      XI

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quantitation  standards.    The  sample   preparation   scheme   was  originally
developed to minimize  interferences  from these compounds.  Previous  attempts
by other researchers to determine  the PCDPE levels  in  the  adipose tissues of
the Canadian population were not successful  in identifying these compounds but
demonstrated  that  if   present   the   concentrations  were  less  than  10 ng/g
(ppb).

          Although the  presence of the PBDPEs  was  confirmed by the additional
HRMS-SIM  experiments,   it  was   not   possible  to  confirm  the  estimates  of
concentrations from the preliminary  effort  due to a  lack  of  individual  PBDPE
isomers.    In   addition  to  confirming  the  presence  of  the  hexa-  through
octabromodiphenylethers,  nonabromo  and   decabromodiphenylethers  were  iden-
tified.  The presence of decabromodiphenylether was identified in three of the
five  extracts  analyzed  at  concentrations ranging  from approximately 400 to
700 pg/g based on an external  standard response.

          Further evaluation of  the   levels of halogenated  aromatic compounds
in human  adipose tissues should include  refinement  of analytical  methods to
promote  simultaneous  determination  of dioxins,  furans,  diphenylethers,  and
non-ortho-substituted biphenyls.   Refinement  of  the. analytical  methods will
require  development  and  acquisition  of   additional  analytical  standards  and
internal  quantitation   standards   to   promote   quantitative   recovery  and
precision.  To  provide  indications of routes  of exposure,  the data resulting
from  further  studies  should  be  analyzed for correlations  between  compound
classes.    Additional   analysis   efforts  for  PBDPEs   should  also   include
experiments to  determine the  presence of other PBDPEs  such as the tetra- and
pentabromo congeners.
                                      XII

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I.  INTRODUCTION

          The  U.S.  Environmental   Protection  Agency  (EPA)  has  promulgated
regulations under Sections 4 and 8  of  the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
for chemicals  that may  be  contaminated with  polyhalogenated  dioxins (PHDDs)
and furans (PHDFs).1  As part of EPA's effort to assess the potential exposure
of humans to these  compounds,  human adipose tissues collected in FY87 through
the EPA's National  Human Adipose Tissue Survey (NHATS) were analyzed for both
chlorinated  and   brominated   (halogenated)  dibenzo-p-dioxins  and  dibenzo-
furans. 2'1*

          The  analysis  protocol for the PHDDs and  PHDFs  required monitoring
ions characteristic of  halogenated  diphenylethers (HDPEs)  simultaneously with
ions  for the  PHDDs  and PHDFs via  high  resolution gas  chromatograpy/high
resolution mass  spectrometry  (HRGC/HRMS).    The  data  generated  demonstrated
that  the  HDPEs   yield  fragment  ions  with  the  same   exact  masses  and
characteristic  ion ratios observed  for PHDFs.   The unique structure  of the
halogenated diphenylethers is such that the loss of two halogen atoms from the
molecular ions  in  the mass  spectrometer  ion  source can yield radical cations
that  are indistinguishable  in  mass  from  those  produced by  PCDF  and  PBDF
compounds.  A possible mechanism for this reaction  in the mass spectrometer is
given below.
                                               where X = halogen (Cl or Br)
          The presence of HDPEs in the adipose tissue samples was indicated by
monitoring  the   molecular   ion   region  for  hexa-  through  decahalogenated
diphenylethers during  the determination of  tetra-  through  hexabrominated and
tetra-  through  octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins  and dibenzofurans.   Preli-
minary estimates of the levels of the HDPEs were achieved by using calibration
data generated for the  halogenated dibenzofurans.   Tables  1 and 2 present the
estimated levels  of the chlorinated  and brominated  DPEs  for the specific FY87
NHATS composites analyzed.1*

          The quantitative measurements presented  in this  report were limited
by  the availability  of  authentic,  certified  standards of  HDPEs.    Primary
standards of  individual HDPEs were not commercially  available  at the time of
this  study.    The  chlorinated diphenylether  compounds  were  obtained   as  a
solution  of  several  compounds from  Dr. D. T.  Williams of  Health and Welfare
Canada.  The brominated diphenylethers were obtained as mixtures of brominated
fire retardants (Bromkal 70-5-DE and 79-8-DE, Ultra Scientific).  Decabromodi-
phenylether was available as a neat standard  from  a commercial source (Ultra
Scientific).  The limited availability of analytical standards and the lack of
isotopically  labeled analogs  for  use as internal standards  for the  diphenyl-
ethers  made  it difficult  to quantitate the exact amounts  of  diphenylethers
detected in the adipose tissue extracts.

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               Table  1.  Estimated Polychlorinated Dlphenylether  (PCDPE)
                      Lipid  Concentrations in NHATS FY87 Composites
Composite t
PYg? fNHATS)
ACD8700014
ACD8700023
ACD8700032
ACD8700041
ACD8700050
ACD8700069
ACD8700078
ACD8700087
ACD8700096
ACD8700103
ACD8700112
ACD8700121
ACD8700130
ACD8700149
ACD8700158
ACD8700167
ACD8700176
ACD8700185
ACD8700194
ACD8700201
ACD8700210
ACD8700229
ACD8700238
ACD8700247
ACD8700256
ACD8700265
ACD8700274
ACD8700283
ACD8700292
ACD8700309
ACD8700318
ACD8700327
ACD8700336
ACD8700345
ACD8700354
ACD8700363
ACD8700372
ACD8700381
ACD8700390
ACD8700407
ACD8700416
ACD8700434
ACD8700443
ACD8700452
ACD8700461
ACD8700470
ACD8700489
Census
Division fa)
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
ES
ES
ES
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MO
MO
MO
NE
NE
NE
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
WN
WN
WN
WN
ws
ws
ws
Age
Groun
0-14
0-14
15-44
15-44
15-44
45 +
45 +
45 +
45 +
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
0-14
15-44
15-44
15-44
45 +
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
45 +
45 +
0-14
0-14
15-44
15-44
15-44
15-44
45 +
45 +
45 +
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
Estimated '
HxCDPE
ND(c)
1
1
4
4
9
10
5
5
7
1
3
6
2
2
4
3
5
5
ND
1
4
ND
2
20
1
3
10
6
5
2
3
7
7
2
8
3
4
9
10
1
2
2
10
3
4
3
HoCDPE
4
2
4
5
4
6
10
10
6
5
2
3
5
ND
3
7
4
5
5
ND
1
4
ND
10
70
ND
2
5
5
4
ND
ND
8
6
3
4
7
3
8
10
ND
5
2
10
3
5
3
Concentration (DP/IT) (b
OCDPE
20
10
100
80
40
100
200
200
100
100
10
90
100
10
70
100
60
200
200
5
60
200
ND
40
100
ND
30
200
200
100
10
10
100
80
80
30
100
100
200
200
3
80
100
200
20
50
100
NCDPE
200
200
800
800
500
1000
900
1000
800
1000
80
900
1000
200
700
1000
800
1000
1000
50
800
800
30
200
600
30
500
1000
900
900
100
100
1000
800
900
400
2000
1000
900
900
100
900
700
2000
200
600
900

DCDPE
ND
20
5
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
10
8
8
ND
ND
10
ND
6
ND
ND
ND
20
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
7
ND
ND
9
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
(a) - EN = East North Central, ES = East South Central, MA = Middle Atlantic, MO = Mountain,
     NE = New England, PA = Pacific, SA « South Atlantic, WN « West North Central, WS = West South Central.
(b) - Approximate PCDPE concentration calculated by using corresponding PCDF relative response factors.
(c) - Not detected.

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        Table 2.   Estimated Polybrominated  Diphenylether Lipid Concentrations
                                   in NHATS  FY87 Composites
Composite f
FY87 (NHATS)
ACD8700014
ACD8700023 (d)
ACD8700032
ACD8700041
ACD8700050
ACD8700069
ACD8700078
ACD8700087
ACD8700096
ACD8700103(e)
ACD8700112
ACD8700121
ACD8700130
ACD8700149
ACD8700158
ACD8700167
ACD8700176
ACD8700185
ACD8700201
ACD8700210
ACD8700229
ACD8700238
ACD8700247
ACD8700256
ACD8700266
ACD8700274
ACD8700283
ACD8700292
ACD8700309
ACD8700318 (d)
ACD8700327
ACD8700336 (d)
ACD8700345
ACD8700354
ACD8700363
ACD8700372
ACD8700381
ACD8700390
ACD8700407 (d)
ACD8700416
ACD8700425
ACD8700434
ACD8700443
ACD8700452
ACD8700461
ACD8700470
ACD8700489
Census
Division (a)
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
ES
ES
ES
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MO
MO
MO
NE
NE
NE
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
SA
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
ws
ws
ws
Age
GroiiD
0-14
0-14
15-44
15-44
15-44
45 +
45 +
45 +
45 +
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
0-14
15-44
15-44
15-44
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
45 +
45 +
0-14
0-14
15-44
15-44
15-44
15-44
45 +
45 +
45 +
45 +
0-14
15-44
15-44
45 +
45 +
0-14
15-44
45 +
^rtlpia
H*RDPE
4
700
10
ND
ND
200
1000
300
500
200
8
30
900
ND
20
600
400
300
100
ND
ND
ND
200
ND
500
2
ND
200
ND
300
10
500
ND
7
9
ND
300
200
600
600
ND
10
900
ND
20
5
700
od Concentration f
HpBDPE
300
200
70
100
200
90
60
200
200
200
200
200
400
50
200
300
300
50
1
100
3
30
200
50
2000
100
80
40
100
200
70
400
300
100
200
200
100
40
100
90
100
400
30
200
200
100
100
pe/f) fb)
OBDPE
8000
800
ND(c)
700
600
200
ND
600
400
400
ND
ND
3000
300
ND
3000
2000
ND
ND
400
ND
ND
ND
ND
3000
ND
ND
200
ND
800
ND
2000
ND
600
100
ND
400
200
1000
100
400
ND
70
ND
100
600
400
(a) - EN * East North Central, ES = East South Central, MA - Middle Atlantic, MO = Mountain,
     NE - New England, PA - Pacific, SA = South Atlantic, WN = West North Central, WS = West South Central.
(b) - PBDPE concentration calculated by using corresponding PBDF relative response factors.
(c) - Not detected.
(d) - The HRMS confirmational analysis described in this report includes the determination of nona- (NBDPE)
     and (DBDPE) decabromodiphenylethers. Two responses were detected for NBDPE but were not quantitated
     due to the lack of an appropriate standard. The DBDPE was estimated at 400 pg/g and 700 pg/g based on
     an external standard for samples ACD8700336 and ACD8700407, respectively. The DBDPE was noted as
     a weak response in sample ACD8700023. The DBDPE was not detected in sample ACD8700318.
(e) - Analysis was conducted for DBDPE but was not detected.

-------
          The  following  sections  of  this  report are  organized  as  follows.
Section II states  the objectives  of  the  study.   Section III  discusses  the
technical approach used to verify the occurrence of  diphenylethers in adipose
tissue.  Section IV presents the experimental details.  Section V presents the
results of the GC/MS analyses.   Sections  VI and VII present  the conclusions
and recommendations, respectively.

-------
II.  OBJECTIVES

          The primary objective  of  this study was  to  confirm the presence of
brominated and  chlorinated  diphenylether compounds in  the  FY87 NHATS adipose
tissue extracts.   To accomplish  this  objective, selected  extracts  were ana-
lyzed by  mass spectrometry using both  full scan and  selected ion monitoring
modes.   The  secondary objective  of  this study was to  compare the concentra-
tions of the  chlorinated  DPE  calculated  using authentic  standards  to the
originally  estimated concentrations  using  the  PCDF  response factor values
(Table 1).   Further confirmation of  the levels of brominated diphenylethers
was not possible due to the lack of authentic individual standards.


III.  TECHNICAL APPROACH

          The   approach   to   confirmation   of   the   polychlorinated   and
polybrominated diphenylethers was based on generating additional mass  spectral
information  using  both  HRGC/MS  in  the  full   scan  mode  and HRGC-HRMS via
selected  ion monitoring  (SIM).   The data  generated by these two techniques
support   compound   identification  by   providing  characterization   of  the
fragmentation  patterns,  ion  ratios,  and  the  exact masses of the  compounds
under investigation.

          A  subset  of extracts from the FY87 NHATS composites were  selected
for confirmation of  identification and previous quantitative efforts.  Table 3
gives the overall  analytical  scheme  for confirmation  of  PBDPEs  and PCDPEs.
Each sample  is  identified by  a  composite number  code,  and the batch number in
which the samples were originally prepared is specified.

          A  total  of  12  of  the  original  48  composite sample extracts  were
selected  for  confirmational  analyses   based  on  the   previous estimates  of
concentration  from  the  PCDD/PCDF and  PBDD/PBDF analyses  (Tables 1  and 2).
Confirmational  analyses of  each sample via  both full  scan  and SIM techniques
were not possible due to limited volumes of the sample extracts.  The  original
volume prior  to  analysis  for  PHDDs  and  PHDFs was 10 yL.  The determination of
the PHDDs and PHDFs  required two separate analyses  (of 1 to 2 yL each) for the
brominated versus chlorinated congeners.   Hence,  the  final  volume  available
for confirmational analysis was only 6 to 8 yL.

          The preparation  of  the composite  FY87 NHATS  adipose tissue samples
for  analysis of  PHDDs  and  PHDFs has  been described  in  previous reports.2"1*
Additional  sample   preparation  was  not  necessary  for  the  confirmational
analyses discussed in this report.

-------
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-------
IV.  EXPERIMENTAL

          The experimental  details of this study are  presented and discussed
in the following sections.

     A.   Confirmation of Polychlorinated and Polybromiated Diphenylethers
          by Full Scan HRGC/MS

          For the full scan analysis mode, a 30-m column was used so that both
the chlorinated  and brominated  species  could be  confirmed in  the same HRGC
run.   The sample  extracts  selected had  some  of the  highest  estimated PHDPE
levels (Tables 1 and 2).  Mass spectra obtained from the samples were compared
to those  from  the  available PCDPE and PBDPE standards and to the  isomer pat-
terns  or  molecular clusters predicted for multiple  chlorinated or brominated
species.  Additional  information on the characteristic  spectra of PCDPEs and
PBDPEs were identified in the literature.5"9  The HRGC/MS operation parameters
for the full scan analysis are identified in Table 4.

     B.   Confirmation/Quantitation of Pplychlorinated Diphenylethers
          (PCDPEs)  by HRGC/HRMS-SIM!

          In  order to  confirm  and  quantitate  the  presence  of  PCDPEs,  the
HRGC/MS-SIM experiment  was  modified  from that  of  the  PCDD/PCDF  protocol  to
increase  the  specificity for PCDPEs without sacrificing overall sensitivity.
Additional ions  characteristic  of PCDPE  molecular ion clusters  were  added  to
the   quantitation   list,   and   those   ions  normally   monitored   for  the
identification  and quantitation  of  PCDDs were  deleted.   Because the total
number  of ions  monitored was  essentially  the  same  as the  number monitored
during a  normal  PCDD and PCDF  analysis, the sensitivity  of  the analysis for
PCDFs and PCDPEs was not compromised.

          Three  characteristic  ions  of the PCDPE molecular ion cluster, three
ions from the molecular ion cluster of the PCDFs  (or indicative of the loss  of
two chlorines from the PCDPE molecular ion cluster), and an ion representative
of the loss of an additional fragment (COC1)  were monitored along with the two
characteristic   ions   from   the   ^C-PCDF  internal   quantitation  standard.
Fragment  ions from PFK were also monitored to ensure  correct mass assignment
throughout the analyses.

          Table 4 provides the HRGC/HRMS-SIM parameters used and Table 5 gives
the ions  monitored.  The  HRGC  conditions identified  in Table 4 are consistent
with parameters  used for  determination of PCDDs  and  PCDFs.  The data from the
analyses  were  evaluated  for  coincidence of responses  and  correspondence  of
measured  ion ratios to theoretical values.

          PCDPE levels were quantified by comparing responses to a standard  of
eight  specific  PCDPEs.   This   standard  was  obtained  as  a   solution  from
Dr. D. T. Williams  of  Health and  Welfare  Canada.10    The  PCDPE  congeners are
identified in Table 6.   Table 6  also  provides details  on the  composition  of
the four  calibration  standards.   As noted, only  five  of the available PCDPEs
were  used to  calculate  relative response factors  (RRFs).    The  tetra-  and
pentachloro  DPEs  were not  included  in  the  analysis  strategies,  and  the
2,2',3,3',4,4'-HxCDPE was outside the retention  window of  interest  for this
study.
                                      7

-------
                            Table 4.   HRGC/MS Parameters
                               Full  scan
                         PCDPE-SIM
                   PBDPE-SIM
Mass spectrometer (VG-70-250S)
  Acelerating voltage:
  Trap current:
  Electron energy:
  Photo-multiplier voltage:
  Resolution:
  Overall cycle time:
  Mass range:

Gas chromatograph (HP-5890)

  Column coating:
  Film thickness:
  Column dimensions:
  He linear velocity:
  Injection type:
  Split flow:
  Purge flow:
  Injector temperature:
  Interface temperature:
  Injection size:
  Initial temperature:
  Initial time:
  Temperature program:
  Final hold time:
8,000 V
500 yA
35 eV
240 V
1000
1.5 s
m/z 100-1000
DB-5
0.25 yM
30 m x 0.25 mm
30 cm/s
splitless/split
30 mL/min
3 mL/min
290
280
1 yL
200
2 min
b
30 min
8,000 V
500 yA
35 eV
240 V
> 10,000
- 1 s
m/z 243-516
DB-5
0.25 yM
60 m x 0.25 mm
30 cm/s
splitless/split
30 mL/min
3 mL/min
290
280
1 yL
200
2 min
a
4 min
8,000 V
500 yA
35 eV
240 V
> 10,000
- 1 s
m/z 375-961
DB-5
0.25 yM
30 m x 0.25 mm
30 cm/s
splitless/split
30 mL/min
3 mL/min
290
280
1 yL
200
2 min
b
30 min
temperature program—200-220°C at 5°C/min (16-min hold);  then 5°C/min to 235°C
 (7-min hold); then 5°C/min to 330°C.
temperature program—200-300°C at 5°C/min.
                                         8

-------
Table 5.  Ions Monitored for the Determination of PCDPE
Descriptor 1
Accurate mass
 Elemental
composition
                                           Ion ID
                                  TCDF
                                                           HxCDPE
242.9394
303.9016
305.8987
307.8958
315.9419
317.9389
373.8393
375.8364
377.8334
   L9792
        C12h\03sci6
        C12H,t035Cl537Cl1
                              [(M+2)-COCl}+    [(M+2)-201-0001]+
                              [Ml+*             [M-2C11+*
                                   +•
                              [M+2]
                             PFK lock
Descriptor 2
Accurate mass
 Elemental
composition
                                           Ion ID
                                  PeCDF
                                                           HpCDPE
276.8959
337.8626
339.8597
341.8567
351.9000
353.8970
407.8004
409.7974
411.7945
                 C12H3035C15
        C12H3Q3SC17
        C12H3035C1637C11
                              [(l4f2)-COCl] +
                              [M+4]+*
                             PFK lock
                                               [M-2C11
                                                      +•
Descriptor 3
Accurate mass
 Elemental
composition
                                  HxCDF
                                           Ion ID
                                                           OCDPE
310.8570
371.8238
373.8208
375.8178
383.8642
385.8610
443.7584
445.7555
447.7525
        C12H2035C16
        0,2^03501,370^
                                                  ]*    [(M+2)-2Cl-COCl)]+
                                                        [M-2C1]+*
                                                        l(M+2)-2Cl]+*
                             PFK lock mass
                                                        IM+21+"

-------
                           Table 5  (continued)
Descriptor 4         Elemental              	Ion ID	
Accurate mass       composition            HpCDF             NCDPE
  344.8180       G! jHssClgSTCI,        [ (M+2)-COCl ]+    [ (M+2)-2Cl-COCl ]+
  407.7818       C12H1035C1637C11      [M+2r*          [(M+2)-2Cl]+"
  409.7789       C12H1035C1537C12      [M+4T            [(M+4J-2C1]+*
  411.7760       C12Hl035Cl,t37Cl3      [M+6]"1"          [ (M+6J-2C1]+*
  417.8253
  419.8220
  477.7195        ......                       .    ...
  479.7165       C12H1035Cl737d2      -                 [M+4] +
  481.7136       C12H1035Cl637d3
  430.9728       	  PFK lock mass
Descriptor 5         Elemental             	 Ion ID	
Accurate mass       composition            OCDF           .   DCDPE


  378.7790                             [(M+2)-COC!]+    [(M+2)-2Cl-COCl]+
  441.7428       CuOssCl-^cij        [M+2r*          [ (M+2)-2Cl ]+*
  443.7399       C12035d637d 2        [M+4]+*          [ (M+4)-2Cl ]+*
  445.7370       C12035Cl537d3        [M+6]+*          [(M+6J-2C1 ]+*
  511.6805       C,
  513.6775       C,
  515.6746       C
  454.9728       	  PFK lock mass
                                     10

-------
          Table 6.  Polychlorinated Diphenylethers (PCDPE)
                   Calibration Standards* (pg/wL)
                                   STD 1    STD 2    STD 3    STD 4
3,3',4,4'-TCDPE
2,2',4,4',5-PCDPE
2,2',3,3',4,4l-HxCDPE.
2,2',4,4',5,5l-HxCDPEb .
2,2',3,4',5,51,6-HpCDPED
2,2',3l,4,4',5,5',61-OCDPEb .
2,2',3,3l,4,4',5,5l,6'-NCDPEb .
2,2',3,3',4,4l,5,51,6,6'-DCDPEb
32
32
32
32
32
32
32
32
320
320
320
320
320
320
320
320
640
640
640
640
640
640
640
640
1,600
1,600
1,600
1,600
1,600
1,600
1,600
1,600
Internal Quantisation Standard

i3C12-2,3,7,8-TCDF                   50       50       50        50
i3C12-l,2,3,7,8-PeCDF                50       50       50        50
*3C12-l,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF             125      125      125       125
i3C12-l,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF           125      125      125       125

Recovery Standard
i3C12-l,2,3,4-TCDD
i3C12-l,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD
50
125
50
125
50
125
50
125
Standard solution of 1,600 pg/pL of each PCDPE was provided
 by Dr. D. T. Williams of Health and Welfare Canada.  All  other
 standards were available through Cambridge Isotope Laboratories,
 Woburn, Massachusetts.
Reference standards used to establish RRF factors for PCDPEs.   The
 RRF values for HxCDPE were calculated vs. i3C12-TCDF, HpCDPE vs.
 i3C12-PeCDF, OCDPE vs. i3C12_HxCDF, and NCDPE and DCDPE vs.
 i3C12-HpCDF.
                                 11

-------
          RRFs were established  for  the available PCDPEs  versus  the 13C-PCDF
internal  quantisation standard (IQS) by analyzing  four standards  ranging from
32 to 1,600 pg/yL for each available  isomer.   The chlorinated IQS and recovery
standard  (RS) compounds were  kept  at the level of 50  to 125 pg/yL,  which was
consistent  with  the  levels  previously added  to  the  human adipose  tissue
samples.

     C.  Detection of Polybrominated  Diphenylethers (PBDPEs) by HRGC/HRMS-SIM

          Detection of the  brominated  diphenylether species  was  accomplished
by  adding   ions  characteristic  of the  PBDPE molecular ion  cluster to  the
quantitation list and deleting the ions usually monitored  for the PBDDs.  The
monitoring  strategy  was  essentially the  same as  that described for  the SIM
confirmation of PCDPE responses, except that  three  injections of  each extract
were required to determine the hexa-  through  decabrominated diphenylethers due
to the wide mass range required for the polybrominated species.  The  hexa- and
hepta- congeners were determined  in  the first injection;  the octa-  and  nona-
congeners  in  the  second  injection; and the decabromodiphenylether,  OBOPE,  in
the third  injection.   Tris(perfluoroheptyl)-S-triazine  was  used  to  calibrate
the mass  scale for the determination of the DPDPE because the abundance of the
PFK ions above  m/z 900 are very weak.  The ions monitored  for these analyses
are given in Table 7.

          Quantitation of the PBDPEs except the DPDPE was not possible because
only mixed isomer standards of brominated fire retardants (Bromkal 70-5-DE and
79-8-DE,   and  decabromodiphenylethers, Ultra Scientific)  were  commercially
available.   The Bromkal  70-5-DE  has been reported  to be  comprised  of  41.7%
2,2',4,4'-TBDPE, 44.4% 2,2',4,4',5'-PeBDPE, 7.6% other PeBDPE isomers,  and  6%
HxBDPE isomers.s*11  The composition of Bromkal 79-8-DE has been determined  to
contain  8% of  HpDPE,  26%  OBDPE,  46%  NBDPE,  and 19% of  DBDPE, although  no
specific isomer designation have been reported.6  These standards were used  to
establish  approximate  retention time  windows and  ion  ratios  for  the  PBDPE
homolog  series.    A  commercial  standard  of   DBDPE  was  prepared  and used  to
establish the retention time and spectra for  that compound.  This standard was
used as  an  external standard  (240  pg/yL)  for  comparison of responses to those
measured in the sample extracts.
                                      12

-------
Table 7.  Ions Monitored for the HRGC/HRMS-SIM Determination of PBDPE
HxBDPE

Accurate mass
 Elemental
composition
                                                 Ion ID
                                        TBDF
                                                        HxBDPE
 374.7846
 481.6978
 483.6959
 485.6939
 493.7381
 495.7362
 641.5326
 643.5306
 645.5287
 480.9697
              01^0796^818^
                                   [(M+2)-C06r]+   [(M+2)-26r-COBrl+
                                   r'"01**         [(M+2)-2Br]+*
                                     [M+6]
                                        +•
                                       lock
                                  l(M+6)-2Br]
                                                              +•
HpBDPE

Accurate mass
 Elemental
composition
                                        PeBDF
                                                 Ion ID
                                                        HpBDPE
454.6931
559.6084
561.6064
563.6044
573.6466
575.6447
719.4432
721.4412
723.4392
   J.9633
                                    [(M+4)-COBr]+
                                    [M+21T'
                                                     [(M+4)-2Br-COBr]+
                                                     [(M+2)-2Br]+*
                                                     [(M+4)-2Br]+'
                                                     [(M+6)-2Br]+*
                                    PFK lock
OBDPE

Accurate mass
 Elemental
composition
                                        HxBDF
                                                Ion ID
                                                        OBDPE
532.6036
639.5169
641.5150
643.5130
799.3518
801.3498
803.3478
               C12H2079Br38iBr3
               C12H2079Br38iBr5
                                    [(M+4)-COBr]+   [(M+4)-2Br-COBr]+
                                    f kJ i >I 1 » *         f / kJ i /I \  OD—.IT*
                                    PFK lock mass
                                                    [(M+8J-2Br]+<
                                                    f M-^fi 1
                                                    [M+8]"1"'
                                 13

-------
                        Table 7  (continued)
NBDPE

Accurate mass
                  Elemental
                 composition
                                               Ion ID
                                       HpBOF
NBDPE
612.5120
719.4250
723.4210
877.2623
879.2604
881.2584
580.9633
                                   [(M+6)-COBr]+   [(M+6)-2Br-COBr]+
                                   IM+61            f/MiC\  1O.»1+*

                                   [M+10]"1"
                                   PFK lock mass
DBDPE

Accurate mass
                  Elemental
                 composition
                                               Ion ID
                                       OBDF
DBDPE
957.1709
959.1690
961.1670
915.9550
                                                   [M+8]
                                                        +*
              —  tr1s-(perfluoroheptyl)-5-triazine lock mass  	
                                 14

-------
V.  RESULTS

          The results  of the confirmation  analysis efforts are  presented in
this section.   The  supporting data include summaries  of calibration efforts,
estimates  of  concentrations for  isomers,   and   identification  of  specific
chlorinated diphenylether isomers and related concentrations.  Chromatographic
data  from the  HRGC/  HRMS-SIM  and  full  scan experiments  are  presented to
support the  confirmation  of  the presence of  PCDPEs  and  PBDPEs along with the
measured versus theoretical ion ratios for the molecular clusters.

     A.  Full Scan HRGC/MS Confirmation of PCDPEs and PBDPEs

          Full  scan  HR6C/MS  analysis  of selected  adipose  extracts confirmed
the presence of a  hexabromodiphenylether,  HxBDPE,  and  a nonachlorodiphenyl-
ether, NCDPE.   These congeners  were estimated to  be at the highest concentra-
tions  in each  of the  adipose extracts.    Figure 1  presents  the  full   scan
HRGC/MS  chromatogram  for  sample  16289  (ACD8700167).    Figures 2 and  3   show
representative mass spectra of  the NCDPE and  HxBDPE detected in the standards
and samples.   The spectra of NCDPE is  compared  to an  authentic standard in
Figure 2.  A reference  compound was not available  to  compare  the spectrum of
HxBDPE.   However,  the  fragmentation pattern is  comparable  with  reference
spectra from the literature.*'7'9

          Molecular (M"*~)  and fragment ions in the electron impact  (El)  mass
spectra of these polyhalogenated compounds show the expected clustering due to
the chlorine isotopes,  35C1 and  37C1,  and  the  bromine  isotopes,  79Br  and
8lBr.    The  El  mass spectra  of  the nonachloro- and  hexabromo  DPEs  are repre-
sentative of  the  fragmentation  patterns  as observed for these groups of com-
pounds.  All PHDPEs have very strong molecular [M+] ions and major (often base
peaks)  fragment ions  (M+-C12  or  M -Br2).   These  latter  ions have  the  same
exact mass and  number  of halogen ions as  the corresponding PHDFs,  which give
rise  to  the potential  for  false positive  determination  of PHDFs  in  the
presence of the halogenated DPEs.

          Further fragment ions characteristic (and relative response)  of the
polyhalogenated DPEs  include:   M+-C1 (weak),  M+-COC1  (median/weak),  M+-C12
(weak),  M+-C12-COC1   (medium),  and  M^-C^  (medium):    Due to  the  cluster
formation from the chlorine isotopes the most prominent ions in these clusters
may be at higher m/z values  as  evidenced for  the  NCDPE (Figure 2).8

          In comparison to the chlorinated DPEs, the El mass spectra for PCDFs
exhibit M+ ions that are  the  base peaks  in the spectrum.  Other fragment ions
which  are   characteristic  of   the   PCDFs   are:    M+-C1  (weak),   M+-COC1
(medium/weak),  M+-C1   (weak/medium),   and  M+-COC1-C12  (medium).     A  key
distinction between the spectrum  of the  PCDFs and the  PCDPEs is that the base
peak for  PCDFs is  typically at  the  M+  cluster  while  the  base  peak  for  the
PCDPEs is at the M+-C12 cluster.«

          Similar fragmentation patterns are  characteristic of the  brominated
DPEs and  the PBDFs.   As  for the chlorinated  compounds  the base peak  in the
PBDF spectra can be found in the M"1" cluster, while the  PBDPE exhibits the base
peak at the M+-Br2 cluster and a strong response at the M+ cluster.e»9


                                      15

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Figure 2.   Comparison of the full  scan  (100-1000 amu)  mass  spectra of  a
             2,2I,3,31,4,4I,5,5I,6'-NCDPE  standard vs.  a NCDPE isomer
             response  in sample 16289 (ACD8700167).
                                            17

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          In addition  to the  bromo-  and chlorodiphenylethers, the  full  scan
HRGC/MS analysis  identified the  presence  of eight  PCB congeners.   Specifi-
cally, tetrachlorobiphenyls (3 isomers), pentachlorobiphenyls (3 isomers), and
hexachlorobiphenyls  (2 isomers)   were  detected  and  compared  to  a  reference
library for identification.  Since these isomers were recovered from the final
cleanup column of  the sample  preparation  for these samples  (AX-21  on silica
gel),  it  is likely  that  these isomers  are  co-planar  (nonortho-substituted).
OCDD  was  also  confirmed  in  the extracts  by  full  scan mass  spectrometry.
However, the other PCDDs and PCDFs were not detected due to the low parts-per-
trillion levels,  which required SIM analyses.

     B.  HRGC/HRMS-SIM Confirmation/Quantitation of Polychlorinated DPEs
         (PCDPEs)

          The  HRGC/HRMS-SIM   analyses  for  polychlorinated   DPEs   required
establishing a calibration curve  using the  available  PCDPE congeners.   The
ions characteristic of the loss of two chlorine atoms from the PCDPE molecular
cluster (which are consistent with the characteristic ions of the PCDF molecu-
lar Clusters)  plus  two  ions  characteristic of the  PCDF IQS  (typically the
[M]+*  and  [M+2]+*  ions of  the molecular cluster)  were used  to calculate the
RRF values:

     •The RRF for HxCDPE was calculated versus ^C-TCDF
     •The RRF for HpCDPE was calculated versus ^C-PeCDF
     •The RRF for OCDPE was calculated versus isQ-HxCDF
     •The RRFs for NCDPE and DCDPE were calculated  versus the i3C-HpCDF

          The  RRFs  of these  PCDPEs  versus the  13C-PCDF  IQS  are  given  in
Table 8.  Relative  standard deviations of the RRFs  over  the  50-fold range in
concentration were less than 20%.

          The interpretation of  the  mass chromatograms  from the HRGC/HRMS-SIM
analysis was based on the comparison of observed ratios between characteristic
ions   and   the   predicted  or  theoretical   ratios  calculated   on   isotopic
abundance.   Table 9 is  a summary of  the ion ratios  measured from  the  mass
chromatograms for each sample.   This  table presents  six combinations based on
ion ratios  within  the molecular clusters and at the masses representing  loss
of two chlorines  from the molecular clusters.

          Comparison  of  characteristic  ion  ratios  between  the  molecular
clusters and the ion clusters  from the loss of two chlorines was  not possible
since  this  would   have  required  establishing  the  ratios  versus  authentic
isomers.   The  number  of  authentic standards available was  not  sufficient to
establish  these  relationships,  since  the  ratios  of  the molecular  clusters
versus  the  fragment clusters  are  expected to vary  for  specific  isomers.
However, the fragment characteristic of the M+-C12  cluster were observed to be
higher  in  response  than  the   ions  characteristic  of  the  molecular,  M"1"
cluster.   This  is  representative of  the  spectra  of the  PCDPEs.    PCDFs  in
contrast exhibit  the greatest response at the M+ cluster.
                                      19

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          The presence  of the fragments  representing the combined  losses of
two chlorines and  COC1  from the  molecular cluster were also  used  to confirm
the presence of the PCDPEs.  For  some PCDPE homologs, particularly the OCDPE,
more  than one  chromatographic response  was  noted  in the  analysis  of  each
extract,  indicating  the  presence  of  more  than  one isomer.    These  data
demonstrated that a consistent pattern of PCDPEs was detected in each sample.

          The confirmation  efforts  included  analysis of  a  laboratory method
blank (Lab no. 16278).  This sample was prepared along with the adipose tissue
and consisted  of all reagents taken through  each of the sample preparation
steps.   This sample  did not  exhibit any responses to the  PCDPEs,  providing
evidence that there was no laboratory background contribution to the samples.

          The quantitative  results  for the five samples analyzed under these
conditions  are  presented  in  Table 10 and compared  with  estimated  results
reported  in  Table  1.   The  data  in Table  10  are presented for  each response
quantitated  in  the  confirmational  analyses  and  are compared  to  the  total
homolog  values  estimated  in  the  original  PCDD   and PCDF  analysis  effort
(Table 1).

          Retention   times   are   given  as  a  measure  of   reliability  and
reproducibility  in   the  identification   of   the   2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxCDPE  and
2,2',3',4,4'5,5',6'-OCDPE isomers.  The retention  time and relative retention
time versus  the  internal  quantitation standards  measured for  these isomers in
the  analytical  standards  correspond  to  responses measured  in  the samples.
Although  there  were two  HxCDPE   isomers  in  the standards  mix,  only  the
2,2',4,4'5,5'-substituted  isomer  eluted  in the TCDF retention  time  window.
The  other  HxCDPE  isomer  (2,2',3,3',4,4'-substituted)  eluted   in  the  PCDF
retention time  window after the  HpCDPE isomer,  and was not  quantified due to
its low response in the HpCDPE mass range.  This elution pattern is consistent
with  that  reported  by  Williams  and  LeBel.10    The assignment  of  isomer
designations  to  the PCDPE response should  be considered  tentative  since the
number  of possible PCDPE congeners  is  analogous with PCBs.   A  total  of 209
unique PCDPE congeners  are possible.   The  tentative  assignments presented in
this  report  are  based  on  matching retention times  and  do  not account for
potentially  overlapping  isomers.

          The  results calculated versus  the  PCDPE  standards are  comparable
(generally within a factor  of  two or  less)  with the results  in Table 1, which
are  estimates  based  on  RRF  values  for  the corresponding  PCDF RRF  value.
Chloro  DPE  levels ranged from 2.8  ppt HpCDPE to  1,400 ppt  NCDPE.   Based on
this comparison of the results the values calculated versus the PCDF standards
in  the initial  effort  are  good  approximations of  the PCDPE  levels  in the
tissue  samples.   Users  of the data  in  Table 1, however,  must  recognize the
limitations  of the data  set, which are discussed below.

          Although  standards were used  to  quantitate  the levels  of  PCDPEs in
the  samples, the  values should  still  be  considered as  estimates  for three
reasons.  First, the  purity of the  standards  used  to quantitate the levels of
PCDPEs in these samples have not been verified.
                                      22

-------
   Table 10.  Estimated PCDPE Concentrations in Selected FY87 NHATS Samples
Compound
Sample ACD8700283
2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxDPE
HpCDPE
2.2lt3l,4,4'i5,5l,6l-OCDPE
OCDPE
OCDPE
NCDPE
DCDPE
Sample ACD8700185
2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxDPE
HpCDPE
HpCDPE
2,2',3',4,4I,5,5I,6'-OCDPE
OCDPE
OCDPE
NCDPE
DCDPE
Sample ACD8700381
2,2',4,41f5,5l-HxDPE
HpCDPE
2,2',3I,4,41,5,5',6I-OCDPE
OCDPE
OCDPE
NCDPE
DCDPE
Sample ACD8700167
2,2',4,4',5,5l-HxDPE
HpCDPE
2,2',3',4,4',5,5I,6'-OCDPE
OCDPE
OCDPE
NCDPE
DCDPE
Sample ACD8700452
2,2',4,4',5,5l-HxDPE
HpCDPE
2,2',3',4,4',5,5I,6I-OCDPE
OCDPE
OCDPE
NCDPE
DCDPE
Retention time
(min)

28:41
38:18
41:54
43:04
44:20
47:01
49:55

28:39
36:36
38:16
41:51
43:02
44:19
46:59
49:54

28:36
38:15
41:50
43:00
44:17
46:57
49:52

28:39
38:16
41:51
43:02
44:19
46:59
49:54

28:37
38:16
41:51
43:02
44:18
46:59
49:54
Concentration
(pg/q)
RRF-PCDPEa

13
10
40
20
170
780
90

7.5
2.8
6.1
34
16
100
560
75

5.6
5.0
29
16
110
760
92

5.7
6.6
28
15
67
800
73

12
7.8
32
26
190
1400
140
RRF-PCDFb

10
5


200C
1000
ND

5
j
5d


200C
1000
10

4
3


100C
1000
ND

4
7


100C
1000
ND

10
10


200C
2000
ND
aValue estimated from PCDPE relative response factor values (2 significant
.figures.
 Value estimated from previous effort for determination of PCDPEs using
 PCDF-relative response factor values (1 significant figure).
cTotal of all OCDPE observed from previous analysis effort.  The total of
 OCDPE values for the current effort are obtained by adding the three values
 given.
 Total of all HpCDPE responses from the previous analysis effort.
ND = not detected.
                                       t O

-------
          Second, the ions used for  quantitation were  those characteristic of
the furan isomers, and as  such, could  contain  contributions from actual furan
isomers  in  addition  to chloro DPE  responses (this occurred  particularly for
the overlap  of responses  of  two  of the  OCDPE isomers with  the 1,2,3,6,7,8-
HxCDF and the  2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF  isomers).  The potential contribution  of the
PCDFs  could be  further  evaluated   by  establishing RRF  value  based  on  the
molecular clusters  of the PCDPE  rather  than  the  ions characteristic  of the
PCDF.  The concentration based on the  molecular  clusters  would provide a more
accurate determination of the PCDPE.

          Third,  the recovery  of  the PCDPEs  from  the  procedures  used  to
generate the extracts is unknown.   This point  is of most  concern, since using
the  PCDF IQS  to calculate  amounts in  the samples  it  is  assumed  that  the
recovery of  the  PCDPEs  is similar to the PCDFs.   Hence the actual  concentra-
tions  of  the  chloro  DPEs  may  be higher  than  presented  in  this  report.
Previous  attempts  by other  researchers  to  specifically  determine the PCDPE
levels in  adipose tissues of the  Canadian  population  were  not  successful in
identifying these compounds.   However,  this  study demonstrated that the PCDPEs
did  not  exceed  the  10 ng/g   (ppb)  level  for  a single response.10.    Future
studies  for  the  determination of  PCDPEs should incorporate  the  use of stable
isotope-labeled PCDPEs to provide accurate determinations  of PCDPEs.

          Figures 4  through   13  compare  some  of  the  characteristic  ions of
PCDPEs  from the  PCDPE  standard and a representative  sample.   A  consistent
pattern  of  PCDPEs was observed in all of the  sample extracts included in the
confirmational analyses  and   in the original  analysis  effort for  the  PCDFs.
Based on the responses observed in  Figure 9,  it  is anticipated that there are
additional  isomers of  OCDPE  in the  adipose tissue  extract.   This is  based on
the  partially  observed  signal  at  45  min for ions  characteristic of  OCDPE.
Unfortunately, this  response eluted during  the switch from one set  of mass
descriptors for OCDPE to the descriptors for NCDPE.

          Potential  of  PCDPE cyclization to  form  PCDFs—One  of  the  concerns
with  the presence of high  levels  of  PCDPEs  in  the  sample  extracts  is the
potential for cyclization in the injection port to  form PCDDs or PCDFs result-
ing  in  false positive  identification.    This  potential  was  evaluated  by
analyzing  the  highest available  standard  (1600 pg/yL) using the  conditions
normally used  for PCDD and PCDF analysis.  The results of this experiment did
not  provide evidence of  this formation.    In  order to substantiate  that the
response  observed  as PCDPE did not originate due  to  sample handling,  method
blanks  previously prepared with  the  sample  were   analyzed.   The  results of
these analyses demonstrated that the laboratory was free of PCDPE background.
                                      24

-------
            1 11VC5     ll-SEF-23    Sir Mtage  7B-25BS  Sys DIOX.1NS
            Saeple  !   in iecti.cn 1    Group 1   fiass 24E.9394
            Text-B6EEfi-648?u/IIL PCOF[ STC. 1UL 1NJ.
         108,
                                    [(M + 2) - 2CI - COCI]*/HxCDPE
                                                                                1822
                                                                               i
              18-48    19 58    21-88   22'IB    23^28   2438    25-48
            I HUBS    ll-SEP-89    SirVottage  ?8-258S  Sys^ D10XINS
            Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 1  Rass 3B3.9B1B
            Text 88S2B-640PC/UL PCDPE STO. 1UL IHJ.

           i
                                        [M - 2CI]**/HxCDPE
                                                       26:58   28-88    23:18   3828
                                                                   1
                                                                     Norn-       B99B
              18-46    19-50    21-86   2216    2328    2438   25-'4
            I11VD5    ll-SEP-89    Sir--VoLtage  7B-258S   Sys^  DIOXINS
            SaEple 1   Injection 1    Group 1  Hass 315.9419
            Text-8eB2fi-B48PG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL INJ.
                                                       26--5B   28-88    23--18   3B--28
         IBL
                                                                     Horn-
49B
                                         [MJ^/^C-TCDF
         IBL
  18-48    19-58   21:8B    22 IB   23-28    24-38   25'4B
HIVE    11-SEP-B9     SlrVoltage  70-258S   Sys:  DIOX1NS
Sanple 1   Injection 1   Group 1  (lass 333.9339
Text-8662fi-648PG/UL PCDPE STD. Ill INJ.


                             [Ml+VC-TCDD
                                                                  2B-5B    28'
                                                                      29-IB   3828
                                                                     Nor*;
3E8
  1848    19 58   21-88    22 IB   23-28    24:38
I11V05    11-SEP-B3     SirVoltage  7B-258S   Sys-
Sanple 1   Injection 1   Group 1  Plass 373.8393
Text:88B2fl-64BPG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL INJ.


                               [M]**/HxCDPE
                                                           25--4B   2B-5B    28--B8   29-18    38
                                                                                .
                                                                                 Horn-        482
              18:48    13-56    21-BB   22-19    2328    2438   25:48   26'58    28-86    23-IB    38-28
Figure 4.  HRGC/HRMS-SIM  mass  chromatogram  for determination  of  a 640-pg/yL
              standard of HxCDPE.   The  shaded  peaks  represent the response for
              Z.Z'.a.A'.S.S'-HxDPE.   The i3C12-TCDF  internal  standard  cluster at
              approximately  26:15.
                                                25

-------
             1BL
                I12V2     12-SEP-B9    Sir-Voltage 7P-258S  Sys DIOXINS
                Sample i   Injection 1    Croup 1   Bass 242.5394
                Text BB82B-1G2B9 1UL INJ,
                                        [(M + 2) - 2CI - COCI]*/HxCDPE
             188,
  18-48    19-58    21-B8   22:18    2328    24'38   25'<
I12V2     12-SEP-89    Sir-Voltage  78-258S   Sys:  DIOXINS
Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 1   fiass 383.9816
Iext:8862e-lB289  10L INJ.


                              [M - 2Cir*/HxCDPE
                                                                     26-58    28:88   29 IB    38-28
f
                                                                                18
             188,
  16:46    1958    21-08   22-18    23^28    24'38   25:4
         12-SEP-89    SLrVoltage  7B-258S   Sys^  DIOXINS
Sample 1   Injection 1    Group 1   Bass 315.9419
Text 8862R-1B2B9  1UL INJ.


                               [M]+*/13C-TCDF
                                                      26 5B   28:£
                                                                                    29-18    38-2B
                                                                              6833
             188,
  18-48    19 58   21 68   22 IB    23-28   24 38   25'48    26-58   28
         12-SEP-89    SirVoltage  78-258S   Sys-  DIOXINS
Sample 1   Injection 1   Group 1  Plass 333.9339
Iext-88B2fl-16289  1DL INJ.

                              [M]*'/13C-TCDD
                                                                                    29-18    38 20
                                                                               283
   18-48    19-58   21:88   2210    23-28   2438   25'48
I12V2     12-SEP-89    Sir'Voltage  7B-25BS   Sys: DIOXINS
Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 1   fiass 373.S393
Text-8862e-16283  1UL INJ.

                                [M]+'/HxCDPE
                                                                      26 58   28
                                                                     29 IB   38 28


                                                                                   .Norn
                                                                       1     U    i
                                                                      /LJ^'VjiA
   18-48    !S'5B   21-BB   22" IB    23-26   24-38   25'4E    26'5B   2806
                                                                                            3B-2B
Figure 5.    HRGC/HRMS-SIM  mass chromatogram for the  analysis of sample 16289
               (ACD8700167) for  HxCDPE.   The  shaded  peaks represent the  response
               for  a HxCDPE isomer.   The  i3C12-TCDF  internal standared cluster  at
               approximately  26:15.
                                                26

-------
   I11VB5
   Saaple 1
   Text 8B62R
                   ll-SEP-89     Sir Voltage  7B-258S   Sys DIOXINS
                   Injection 1   Group I  Hass 27E.8959
                   648PG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL  INJ.
iet
                                                                           Norn        1G3B

                                                      [(M + 2) - 2CI - COCir/HpCDPE
48.
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Text 8862R-B48PG/UI PCDPE STD. 1UL INJ.
38=20 39 IB
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ll-SEP-89
Injection 1
-64BPG/UI PCDPE

Norn
I [M - 2Cir*/HpCDPE
33-28 34 = 18 35-80 35'58 3648 3738 38-28
SirUoltage 7B-258S Sys= DIOXINS
Group 2 Hass 351 .9888
STD. 1UL INJ.
9824
39 18
       18L
       28.
                                                                    Nor*-
                           1832
                                                          [M + 2]**/13C - PeCDF
              31 48    32=38     33=2B    34=18    35=88    35'58    36=48    37=38    38=28    39'IB
          I11VQ5
          Saople 1
          Text:8B62fl-
            ll-SEP-89    Slr=Mtage  7B-258S  Sys DIOXIHS
            Injection 1   Group 2  (lass 489.7974
            64BPG/UI PCDPE STD. 1UL INJ.
       88.
       68.
       48.
       28-.
                                     i
                                                                                     1727
[M + 2]*'/HpCDPE
              31=48    3238     3328    3418    35=88    35-58    36-48    37-38    38=28    3918
Figure  6.  HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram from  the  analysis  of  a 640-pgM
              standard of  2,2',3,4',5,5',6'-HpCDPE.   The  shaded peaks  represent
              the HpCDPE response.
                                             27

-------
            I12V2     12-SEP-89    Sir-Voltage  78-258S  S§s  DIOXINS
            Sample 1   Injection 1    Group 2  flass 276.8959
            Text 88S2R-16289  1UL INJ.
88.
68.
to
no.
28.
8.
I

/
KM

1 A,
31 48 32 38 33 28 34
nui n / y
+ 2) - 2CI - COCI]* /HpCDPE


18 35 88 35 58
4
/L
3648

-, - V
37 38 38 28


39 18
            I12V2     12-SEP-89    Sir-Voltage  78-258S  Sus  DIOXINS
            Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 2  flass 337.862E
            Text 88S2R-16289  1UL INJ.
188,
          28.
                                           [M - 2Cir'/HpCDPE
                                                                              Norn
                                                                     i
                                                                                75
                31  48    32 38    33 28    34 18    35 88    35 58    36 48    37 38    38 28    39 18
            I12V2     12-SEP-89    Sir Voltage  7B-25BS  Sys  DIOXINS
            Sanple 1  Injection 1    Group 2  Dass 351.9B88
            Text-8862(H6289 111 INJ.
188,
          28.
                                               J   [M + 2f/13C - PeCDF
                                                                                         319
                31-48    3238    3328    3418    3588    3558
            I12V2     12-SEP-89    Sir Voltage  78-25BS  Sys- OIOXINS
            Saiple 1   Injection 1  •  Group 2  (lass 489.7374
            Text 88620-16289  1UL INJ.
                                                      36-48    3738    38-28   39:18
         1BL
          28.
                                           [M + 2]*'/HpCDPE
                               v U.
       3148    3236    3328    3418    35^8
                                                       35^58    36-48    3738    38 28    39' IB
Figure  7.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram  from the analysis  of sample 16289
              (ACD8700167)  for HpCDPE.   The shaded peaks  represent the response
              for  a HpCDPE  isomer.   The responses  for  m/z  277  and  m/z 338 at
              36:25 represent  2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF.
                                              28

-------
             111VC;    i!-SE?-8S    Sir Voltage  76-258S   Sys  D10XIK3
             Sample!   Inaction!    Group 3   flass 318.8578*
             Text BBSSfi-HBPG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL IHJ.

                [(M + 2) - 2CI - COCir/OCDPE    '                                 NorPi       2319
                  4B'8B    4838    41'BB   41 3B    42'8B    42 3B   43^88   43'3B    44-BB    44 3B   45^
             I11VQ5    ll-SEP-89    Sir^Voltage  78-25BS   Sys^ D10XINS
             Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 3   Hass 371.8238
             Text-8862fi-64BPG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL  IHJ.


                      [M - 2CI]**/OCDPE
                  4886    4836    41-88   41^38    42-'88    4238   43-'B8   43:3B    44-'8B    44-38   45'
             111U05    11-SEP-B9    Sir Voltage  78-25BS   Sys^ D10XINS
             Sample 1   Injection 1    Group 3   flass 383.8642
             Text 88S2H-648PG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL IHJ.
                      [MfV'C-HxCDF       A                                   *"•       13E1
                  46 BG    4836    41:88   4138    42'88    42'3B    43^88   4338    4488    44-38   45 88
             I11VQ5    ll-SEP-89    Sir  Voltage  7B-258S   Sys- DIOXINS
             Safiple 1  Injection 1    Group 3  (lass 443.7584
             Text  8862B-S40PG/UL PCOPE STO. IUL IHJ.


             h         [M + 2f/OCDPE          '                                 Norr       E688
JL
                  40-B8    48-38    41 80   41 38    42'88    42 38    43-'BB   43 38    44-88    44 38   45'
             IIWE    11-SEP-B9    Sir-Voltage  78-25BS   Sys^ DIOXINS
             Sample 1  Injection 1    Group 3  Bass 481.8559
             Text 8BG2R-G4BPG/UL PCDPE STD. IUL  INJ.

          18Bl         [Mr/13C-HxCDD                                     A
                          463E    41-BB   4138    42-88    42 38    43^88   4338    44^88    44 38   45=88
Figure 8.    HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram  from the analysis  of  a 640-pgM
               standard  of  Z.Z'.a'.M'.S.S'.e'-OCDPE.   The shaded peaks
               represent the OCDPE response.
                                                29

-------
            112V?     12-SEP-89    Sir Voltage  78-238:;   Sys  DIOXINS
            Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 3 ' ftass 318.8576
            Text 88B2fi-18289  1UL INJ.
         1BL
                                                                  Norn-,
                     137
t UU.
8'
[(M + 2) - 2CI - COCir/OCDPE

48^88 48=38 41-88 41=38 42=88 42'3B 43 88 43 38
I12V2 12-SEP-83 Sir-Voltage 7B-E5BS Sys DIOXINS
Sanple 1 Injection 1 Group 3 Bass 371.8238
Text B862fl-lB289 IUL INJ.
IBB
B:
[M - 2CIJ+VOCDPE

.Jr^ 	 4
44=B8 44 38 45



Nor* 478
1 /
                 48'8B   48 38   41'88    4138   42 = 88   42'3B    43-88   43 38    44-88   44"3B    45
            I12V2     12-SEP-8S    Sir-Voltage  7B-25BS  Sys- DIOXINS
            Sample 1   Injection 1    Group 3  Bass 383.8B42
            Text-8BB2R-lB283  IUL INJ.
                         /13C - HxCDF
                                                                              Norn-
         IBB,
     48 SB   4B 38   41-88    41 3B   42 BB   42'3B    43:
I12V2     12-SEP-89    Sir=Voltage  7B-25BS  Sys^ DIOXINS
Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 3  Rass 443.7584
Text:8882fH628S  111 INJ.


         [M + 2]+'/OCDPE
                                                                    43 38    44-E
               44 3B   45'
          Norn-
92
                 48-88   48=38    41=88    41-38   42-BB    4238
            I12V2     12-SEP-8S    Sir'Voltage  7B-25BS   Sys= DIOXINS
            Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 3  Rass 4B1.8559
            Text-8862(1-15289  IUL INJ.

         1881         [Mf */13C - HxCDD
                                                        43-38    44-88   4438    45-
                                                                  Norn        1257
                                                                A
            48 3B    41-E
                                       41 3B   42^86    4238
43 38   44=86    44 38   45-8C
Figure  9.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram from  the  analysis  of  sample  16289
              (ACD8700167)  for OCDPE.   The shaded peaks represent the  responses
              for three OCDPEs.   The  response at  41:50  coelutes  with
              1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF.   The response for  m/z 311 and m/z  372 at  41:40
              is 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF.
                                                30

-------
              I11V85    ll-SEF-89    Sir Voltage  76-2505   Sys  DIOXINS
              Lar.pU !   IniEcucn 1    Group 4 " fiass 344.8188
              Text 88s£H48PG/UL PCOPE STC. 1UL IHJ.
           18BL
           28.
       Horn
           33S7
                                                        f(M + 2) • 2CI - COCIJ+/NCDPE
                 45-28   45-48  46 8B   4B'28  46 48   47^88  47^28  47^48  48-88  48-28  48-48  49 88  49 28
              I11VC5    ll-SEP-89    Sir Voltage  7B-258S   Sys- DIOXINS
              Sample 1   Iniection 1    Group 4   fiass 487.7818
              Text-8862R-646?G/ul PCDPE STD. 1UL INJ.
           BE.
           48.
           28.
                                                                                     Norn
                 28325
                                                            [(M + 2) - 2Cir*/NCDPE
                 45 2B   45 48  46 86   46 2B  46 40   47-88  47 28  47^4
              I1HID5    11-SEP-B9    Sir-Voltage 7B-258S   Sys  DIOXINS
              Sapiple 1   Injection 1    Group 4   flass 417.8253
              Text'86S2fl-648PG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL INJ.
28  48 48  49 88  49 28
           28.
                                                                                     Norn-
                  1785
                                                              [MfT'C - HpCDF
                 45 EB   45-48  46'88   46^28  46:4B   47^88  47^28   47^48  48-88   48-28  48 48  49'BB   49-28
              I11VG5    11-SED-8S    Sir Voltage  78-258S   Sys- OIOX1NS
              Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 4  Fiass 477.7196
              Text-8662fl-64BPG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL INJ.
           IBL
Horn-
                  2956
                                                                [M + 2]*'/NCDPE
                 45-2E   45-4E  46-88   46 28  46:48   47^88  47 28   47-48  48-BB   48-28  48-48  49 88   49 28
Figure 10.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of a 640-pg/yL
                standard  of  2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6-NCDPE.   The  shaded peaks
                represent the responses  for  NCDPE.
                                                    31

-------
           I12V2     12-SEP-69    Sir-Voltage  78-258S  Sgs OIDXINS
           Sawle 1   injection 1    Group 4   Bass 344.BIBB
           Text 88e2fi-lo2B9  1UL INJ.
        1BL
         BB.
         28.
                        Norn        1858
                                                    [(M + 2) - 2CI - COCIf/NCDPE
               15-26  15-48  16:88  46-28   46-48  47^88   17-28  17-4
           I12V2      12-SEP-89    Sir-Voltage  7B-25BS  Sus- DIOXINS
           Sample 1    Injection 1    Group 1  flass 487.7818
           Text 88B2fl-lB2BS 1UL IHJ.
               3-28   48 48  49:88   19-28
        IBS.,
         28.
                        Norn-      1197B
                                                        [(M + 2) - 2Clf/NCDPE
               45 28  45^48  46 08  IB 28   46-48  47'8B   47-28  47 48  48-f
           112V2     12-SEP-89    Sir^Voltage  78-258S  Sys' OIOXIKS
           Sanple 1  Injection 1    Group 4  Bass 417.B253
           Text:88E2B-lB289  IUL INJ.
              48-28  48^48  19^88   19 28
        188,
         28.
                        Norn         852
                                                         [M]  /13C • HpCDF
               15^28  45--4B  46-88  46-28   46:40  47-88   47-28  47^48  48^88   46-28  18 48  19:88   19^28
           I12V2      12-SEP-89    Sir"Voltage  7B-25BS  Bys^ DIOXINS
           Satsple 1   injection 1    Group 4  Rass 477.7196
           Text:8BB2fi-162B9  IUL INJ.
        188
        ee.
        BB.
        46.
        28.
                        Norn-       1774
[M + 2]  /NCDPE
               45-28  45-48  4B 88   46-2B  46'4B  47^88   47 28  47^48  46^88   46=28  48:46  49 88   49:28
Figure 11.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram from  the analysis  of  sample 16289
                (ACD8700167)  for NCDPE.   The  shaded peaks represent the  NCDPE
                response.   The  response  at 46:20  at m/z 345  and  m/z  408  is
                1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF.
                                               32

-------
I11VD5    il-SEP-89    Sir-Voltage  78-25ES   Sys= DIOXIKS
Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 5 " fiass 378.7730
Text-BBS2B-B4BPG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL IHJ.

                               [(M + 2) - 2CI - COCI]*
                                                                                   Nor«=       2729
             19-48    5fl:8B    58-28    58-48     51:8B    51=28    51=48     52=88    52-28    52=<
             I11V05     ll-SEP-89     Sir-Voltage  7B-25BS   Sys- DIOX1NS
             Sanple  1   Injection 1    Group 5   Rass 441.7428
             Text 88S2R-64BPG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL IHJ.
                                               [(M + 2) - 2CI]-1
             49=48    58=BB    58=28    58=48     51-88    51-28    51 48
             II1W5    11-SEP-B9     Sir-Voltage  78-258S  Sys= DIOXINS
             Sanple 1   Injection  1    Group  5   (lass 511.6885
             Text=88B2fi-G48PG/UL PCDPE STD. 1UL IHJ.
                                                   [M + 2]"
                                                                                              15711
                                                           52=88    52^28    52=48
                                                                                   Hom=       2775
             49=48    58-BG    58 20    58=4B     51 = 88    5128    51=48     52'8B    52-28    52^48
Figure 12.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram from  the  analysis  of  a  640-pg/yL
                standard  of  2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-DCDPE.   The shaded  peaks
                represent the response for  DCDPE.
                                                 33

-------
            I12V2     12-SEP-89     Sir'Voltage 78-25BS   Sys
            Sanple 1   InjectLon 1   Group 5   Nass 378.7798
            Text 8862R-162B9  1UL INJ.
                            [(M + 2) - 2CI - COCIJ*
DIOXINS
                                                                                 Norn
                                     268
             49-48    58-88    5828    5840    51 BB    51:28    5148
            I12V2     12-SEP-B9     Sir'Voltage  7B-25BS   Sys  DIOXINS
            Sanple 1   Injection 1   Group 5  Nass 441.7428
            Text 8B62R-16289  III INJ.
                               [(M + 2) - 2CIJ+'
              52^88    52 28    52-
                                                                                 Norn
                                     8E5
             4948    5808    58-28    58'48    51'88    51-28    51 =
            I12V2     12-SEP-89     SIP-Voltage 78-258S   Sys  DIOXINS
            Sample 1   injection  1    Group 5   Hass 511.6685
            Text 8662fH6283  1U1 INJ.
                                  [M + 2]*'
              52-88    52-28    52^48     53
                                                                                 Horn-
                                     146
             49-48    58 88    58-28    58^48    51-88     51 28    51-
              52^88    52 28    52'48     53:86
Figure 13.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from  the  analysis  of  sample 16289
                (ACD8700167)  for  DCDPE.   The shaded peaks represent the  DCDPE
                response.
                                                 34

-------
     C.  HRGC/HRMS-SIM Detection of Polybrominated DPEs (PBDPEs)

          The  interpretation of  the  resulting  mass  chromatograms from  the
HRGC/HRMS-SIM analysis for the  PBDPEs  was  based  on the comparison of observed
ratios between  characteristic  ions  and the  predicted or  theoretical  ratios
calculated on  isotopic abundances.   Table 11 presents  a summary  of  the  ion
ratios measured from the mass chromatograms for  each  sample.  This table pre-
sents ion ratios within the  molecular  clusters and at the masses representing
losses of two  bromines from  the molecular  clusters.   Comparison of  char-
acteristic ion ratios between the molecular clusters and the ion clusters from
the  loss  of two  bromines was  not  possible  since this  would  have  required
establishing the ratios versus  authentic isomers.   However,  the ratios of the
responses  that were  observed   demonstrated  that the  fragment   ions  char-
acteristic of the M+-Br2 cluster were  more intense than the M+ cluster.  This
is consistent  with  the fragmentation  pattern observed for  the  Bromkal  solu-
tions and with fragmentation pattern that have previously been reported in the
literature  for the  PBDPEs.6'7'9   In  addition,  the  presence  of  a  fragment
representing the combined  losses  of  two bromines  and  COBr  (M+-Br2-COBr)  from
the molecular cluster was  also  used  to confirm the presence of PBDPEs.  These
data  demonstrated  that a  consistent pattern of  PBDPEs was detected  in  each
sample.

          As a result  of  the  enhanced sensitivity  of HRGC/HRMS-SIM,  other
PBDPEs in addition to  the  HxBDPE  detected  in  the full scan mode were detected
in the samples.   In the  extracts tested,  brominated  DPEs  were  observed  from
hexa- to  decabrominated DPEs.   The PBDPEs detected  in the  tested samples  are
summarized  in  Table  12.   The NBDPE  and DBDPE ions  were not included  in  the
preliminary  analysis  effort,   but  for  completeness,  were  included  in  the
confirmation analyses.

          Because   of  the  mixed  isomer  nature   of  the  standards  used  for
comparison, quantitation of the isomers was not possible.  A commercial source
of DBDPE  was  obtained, analyzed,  and  compared  to  the levels  seen  in  the
extracts.   The levels of DBDPE in three of  the five extracts were estimated to
range  from  400 pg/g to  700 pg/g  based on the  responses  noted  for  external
standard  responses.

          Figures  14 through  23 show examples of  the extracted  ion plots of
the  brominated  DPEs detected  in these samples.   Shown also for  comparison
purposes  are responses from  the flame  retardants,  Bromkal  70-5-DE and  Bromkal
79-8-DE.   The shaded peaks are the PBDPEs.

          A comparison of the mass chromatograms  (Figure 24) from the analysis
of  the  Bromkal  standards  and  the  adipose tissue  extracts  demonstrates
considerable similarity in  the  observed response patterns for the  major  peak
responses of each  degree of bromination, especially to the OBDPE patterns.
                                      35

-------







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-------
        1BL
I29W     29-SEP-69    Sir Voltage  78-258$  Sys  OTS27
SawpLe 1   iniection 1    Group 1   Itess 374.784S
Text-BROHKBL 7B-5-DE 1808PG/UL  1UL INJ.


             [(M + 2} - 2Br - COBrJ+/HxBDPE
        20.
         e
                                            A
                       1
    8-40    9 20    18-08   18-48   11 20    12=08   12-48
I29V3     29-SEP-B9    Sir-Voltage  7B-25BS  Sys OTS27
Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 1   Class 481 .E378
Text BRORKRL 78-5-DE 1008PG/1JL  1UL INJ.

                [(M + 2) - 2Br]*'/HxBDPE
                                                                 13 28   14'
               14 40   15 20   16-
        68.
        28.
                                                                                 Norn-
                             78
              H8    828    18-88   18-48   11-28   1208    12
           I2SV3     29-SEP-B9     Sir-Voltage  78-25BS  Sys OTS27
           Sanple 1   Injection  1    Group 1   Bass 433.7381
           Text^BRlMflL 70-5-DE  1BBBPG/UL 1UL INJ.
                                                      13 28   14 88    H-48   15 28   IS-
        188,
        28.
         8
                            [M + 2f/13C - TBDF
                                                                      Norn
                            157
               8^48    9-28    18-08   10^40   11 *B    12:88   12=
           I29V3     29-SEP-8S    Sir-Voltage  78-25BS  Sys OTS27
           Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 1   Rass 641.5326
           TKt'BRDIKflL 70-5-DE 1800PG/UL  1UL INJ.
13^20   14-
                                                                     14-48   15'2B   16=
                      928    18-86   18=48   11-20    12=80   12=40   13=28   14=00    14-40   15-28   IB-
Figure 14.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram  from the analysis of a  1000-pg/yL
                standard  of  Bromkal  70-5-DE for  HxBDPE.   The  shaded  peaks
                represent the response  to  HxBDPE.
                                                  38

-------
     I28V2     cE>SEF-69    Sir-Voltage  76-25BS   Sys  OTS27
     Sanple 1  injection 1    Group 1   Rass 371.7846
     Text=B8B2HS317  1IIL INJ.


               [(M + 2) - 2Br - COBr]+/HxBDPE
   28.
                                                                     Nor.
                                                                                 178
                                                                         A
                                                                      L
  186,
8-46     9-28    16 86   18:46    11-28   12:08    1248   13-26    14:
I2BV2     2B-SEP-89     Sir-Voltage  7B-25BS   Sys  OTS27
Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 1   flass 481.6978
Text-8862fl-lE317  1UL INJ.


             [(M + 2) - 2Br]H"/HxBDPE
                                                                         14'48    15-88    IE
   48.
   28.
                                                                     NOPK-
             923    18
                              11-28   12-08    12-48   1328    14-88   14'4B    15-28   16:
  1BL
I28V2     EB-SEP-89     Sir=l/oLtage 78-25BS   Sys^ OTS27
Sanple 1   Injection 1   Group 1   Rass 493.7381
Text 88B2H6317  1UL INJ.


             [M + 2f'/13C - TBDF
   28.
                                                                     Norn-
18B
      3:48    928    ieee    IB^B   11-26    '^m    1248
      I28V2     28-SEP-89    Sir^Voltage  7B-25BS  Sys- OTS27
      SanpLe 1  Injection 1    Group 1   Rass 641.5326
      Text:88G2fi-16317  111 INJ.
  1BL
  88.
  68.
  4?.
  28.
               [M + 4]*7HxBDPE
                                                    13 28    14^88   14^48    15'EB   16'BB
                                                                     No:
     8:40    9 2B
                      18^48    11 28   12:88    12'4B   13^28    14'BB   14:48    15:20   16:
Figure 15.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM  mass  chromatogram  from the analysis of  sample 16317
                (ACD8700407) for HxBDPE.   The shaded peaks  represent  the
                responses  to HxBDPE  isomers.
                                            39

-------
        I29V4     &-"J-K    ST VoLtags  7E-25ES  Sys  DTS27
        Sanpu€ !   !nie:tLor, 1    Group 2   Fiass 454.6931
        Text BROMKfi. 7:-HE 1BB6PG/UL 1UL 1KJ.
     SB.
     28.
                                           [(M + 4) - 2Br - COBrf/HpBDPE
                                                                              Hon
           IS 28   16 48  17-88   17 28   !7:-)B  18-88   IB 2B  16:4B
        I29W     2S-SEP-e9    Sir-Voltage  70-25ES  Sys OTS27
        Sample 1   InjectLon 1    Group 2 ' flass 55S.BB84
        Text-BROBKHL 79-B-DE 18B8PG/UL 1UL IKJ.
                                                          19-00  19 20   19-48  26-80  20 28
     108
     80.
     60.
     48.
     28.
                                          [(M + 2) - 2Br]**/HpBDPE
                                                                                     133
           16-2C   16 4e  17-08   17 28   17-40  18'00   18-20  18-48   19'
        I23V4     2S-SEP-83    Sir Voltage  70-250S  Sys-  OTS27
        Sasple 1   Injection 1    Group 2   Bass 573.6466
        Text BRORKRL 79-8-DE 18B0PG/UL 1UL INJ.
                                                                IS 28   19-40  28 88  20 26
     60.
     2E.
                                                  fM f/HpBDPE
                                                                              Horn
                                                                                     185
           16-20   IE'48  17:08   17--28   17 46  18:00   19 39  18:46   19 88  19-20   13-48  28 80  20^28
        I29V4     29-SEP-83    Sir-Voltage  70-258S  Sys^ OTS27
        Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 2   Fiass 719.4432
        Text BROflKflL 7S-8-DE 1888PG/UL 1UL INJ.
10:
BE
60.
40.
28.
                                                  [M + 4]*VHpBDPE
           16-28   16 48  17-88   17-28  17^48  18^98   IB'ffl  18-48   13-88  15^28   19-48  26:08  28 28
Figure 16.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram  from the  analysis  of  a lOOO-pg/pL
                standard  of  Bromkal  79-8-DE  for  HpBDPE.   The  shaded peaks
                represent the response to  HpBDPE.
                                             40

-------
         I28V2     28-SEP-83    Sir Voltage  .  -25BS   Sys  OTSE7
         Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group I  Rass 454.6931
         Text-8862(1-16317  1UL INJ.
      1BBL
      88.
      68.
      48.
      28.
                                    [(M + 4) - 2Br - COBrf/HpBDPE
                                                                      Horn
    1626   16:40  17:88   17:28  17:48   18:88  18-20  IB:
I28V2     28-SEP-B9    StrVoltage  70-250S   Sys:  DTS27
Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 2  Rass  559.
Text 8B62R-16317  1UL INJ.
                                                                                         28:28
      18L
      40.
      2B.
                                                [(M + 2) - 2Br]**/HpBDPE
                                                                      Norn
             16 20  16:40  17-00   17-20  17:40   18:88  18:28  18=1
         I28V2     28-SEP-89    Sir Voltage  78-258S   Sys: OTS27
         Sanple 1  Injection 1    Group 2  Rass 573.6466
         Text:B862fl-16317  1UL INJ.
                                                       19:88  19:28   19-48  28-88  28-28
      1BL
      48.
      20.
                                                    [M f/HpBDPE
                                                                      Nor*:
113
             16:20  16:40  17-88   17-28  17^48   18:06  18:28  16
         I2BV2     28-SEP-B9    Sir Voltage  78-25BS   Sys: 0TS27
         SanpLe 1   Injection 1    Group 2  flass 719.4432
         Text'8B62fi-16317  1UL INJ.
                                                       19:88  19:28   19:48   28:88  28:28
      188,
      20.
                                                   [M + 4]*VHpBDPE
             16-28  16:40  17:88   17-20  17:48   18:86  1628  18:48   19^  19:28   19:48   28:88  28-20
Figure 17.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram  from the analysis of sample  16317
                (ACD8700407)  for HpBDPE.   The shaded peaks  represent the
                responses  to  HpBDPE isomers.
                                               41

-------
     1BL
 J83V32    3-OCT-B9      Sir-Vol. tags  7B-258S  Sys  OTS27
 Saaole 1   Injection 1   Group 1  fiass 532.E8S3
 Text BROKKBL 7S-B-BE  1UL INJ.


            [(M + 4) - 2Br - COBr]+/OBDPE
     4B.

     28.
                                                                  135
15^
16:38    1B:B8    13^38    21:
13-38
 JC3VQ2    3-OCT-B3      Sir- Voltage  7B-E5BS  Sys' OTS27
 SanpLe 1   Injection 1   Group 1  Class E39.51B9
 Text'BRORKRL 73-B-OE  1UL INJ.
                                                     2238
25 38    27^88    28'38
     1BL
     28.
                      [(M + 4) - 2Br]**/OBDPE
                                                                     Norn-
                                                                  742
       1338    15:88    16-38    IB-'BB    19^38    21:86   2238
        JB3VS2    3-OCT-89     Sir=Voltage  7B-25BS  Sys- OTS27
        Sample 1   Injection 1    Group 1  flass  799.3516
        Text^BROPlKfiL 79-8-DE  1UL INJ.
                                                      24 88    25:38    27:88    28 38
     18L
     2D.
                        [M + Gf'/OBDPE
                                                                                 137
       13-38    15:8B   IB 38    18-88    19 3B    21:88   2238    24:88    25-38    27:BB    2B 38


Figure 18.  HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis of  a  1000-pg/yL
               standard  of Bromkal  79-8-DE for OBDPE.   The shaded peaks  represent
               the response  to  OBDPE.
                                              42

-------
          1BL
 JB3V5     3-DCT-88      Sir-Voltage  78-258S  Sys OTS27
 SanpLe 1   Injection 1    Group I  fiass 532.BBSS
 Text 8BB2R-1E317  1UL IKJ.


              [(M + 4) - 2Br - COBrf/OBDPE
          28.
                       Norn:
                   933
           1330    15 BB    IB 3B    18:8B    13'3B    21:BB    22-38    24=
            J03V5      3-OCT-B9     Sir-Voltage 78-25BS   Sys  DTS27
            Sample 1   hiection 1    Group 1 " Rass B39.51BS
            l6xt-BBB2fl-l£317  11)1  IKJ.
                                                              25-3B    27^88    2B 30
          IBB,
          2B.
          8
                            [(M + 4) - 2Br]**/OBDPE
                                                                     Norn
                                  7245
1338    1580   1638    18^88    19'38    21:88    2238    24'
 J83V5     3-OCT-B3      Sir-Voltage  70-25BS  Sys- OTS27
 Sanple 1   Injection 1   Group 1  Rass 799.3518
 Text 88B2R-1E317  1UI INJ.  "
                                                                         25-38    27^80    28-38
1BL
88.
68.
40.
20.
0
[M.+ 6]+'/OBDPE




1,
Norn 1483




Am . . *
           13 38    15
               IB 38    IG-f
1930    21 =i
22 38    24=
25 30    27-88   28 38
Figure 19.    HR6C/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram from  the  analysis of  sample 16317
                (ACD8700407)  for OBDPE.   The shaded peaks represent the  responses
                to OBDPE  isomers.
                                               43

-------
           JB3V22    3-OC7-B3     Sir Voltage  76-2585  Sys CTS27
           SanpLe 1   Ifiteruon 1   uroup 1  F,j£s S12.512E
           Text BROBKflL 7J-S-DE  10. INJ.
        188L
        88

        ee

        IB.

        28.
[(M + 6) - 2Br - COBrf/NBDPE
                                         N  *
             1730    18-48   19 5B    21-88   2MB    23-28   2438   25
           je3VQ2    3-OCT-83     Sir-UoLtaoe  7B-25BS  Sys OTSE7
           Sanple 1   Injection  1   Group 1 " Piass 719.4258
           Text BRMICRL 79-6-BE  JUL IKJ.
26-58   '28:
                                                29 18
        1BL
        Norr,
                                                    184
BE.
SB.
40.
28.
R



J
[(M + 6)-2Brf/NBDPE


L^_^_-^v^,u^_^^


.-^W^
             1738    16:48   1956    21=88   2218    23-28   2438   25:
           J83V02    3-OCT-B9     Sir'VoLtage  7E-258S  Sys- DTS27
           SanpLe 1   Injection  i    Group  1  Fiass B77.2B23
           Text=BROBKRL 7S-8-OE  1UL IHJ.
                                            [M + 6]**/NBDPE
         BB.

         48.

         2B.
                                 28 5E    28--B8   E3'18
                                                                                N  *:         11
                                           r
             17-30   18^48   19-58    21=88   E2-18    23-H6   2438    25^48   2B'5E   28'
                                                28 IE
Figure 20.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM  mass chromatogram  from  the  analysis  of a  1000-pg/yL
                standard of Bromkal 79-8-DE for  NBDPE.  The  shaded  peaks
                represent  the  response to NBDPE.
                                                 44

-------
         J83V5     3-0:1-89     Sir-Voltage  78-258S  Sys CTS27
         Sanple 1   injection 1    Group 1   fiass 612.5128"
         Text'88S2R-16317  111 IKJ.
      18L
      68.
      20.
                                    [(M + 6) - 2Br - COBrf/NBDPE
                                                                    Horn
           238
      1BL
 1738    IB-IB    1958   21'08    22-18   23-28    2438    25
J83V5     3-OCT-B9     Sir Voltage  7B-25BS   Syr OTS27
Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 1   Kass 719.4258
Text 8862e-16317  1UL INJ.

                              [(M + 6) - 2Brf*/NBDPE
                                                                      26 58   28-88   E9 18
      20.
NOTfi'
      188,
 17 3B    16:48    19-58   21-88    22'18   2328    2438    25
J83V5     3-OCT-89     Sir-Voltage  70-258S   Sys- OTS27
Sanple 1   Injection 1    Group 1   Plass 877.2E23"
Text:88S2R-lB317  1UL IKJ.

                                 [M + 6]*'/NBDPE
92B
                                                                      26-58   28 88   29 18
      BE.
      2E.
Norn
 92
          17 3B    18=«   13-58   21=88    22'1B   2320    24-38   2540    2658   26:08   23-10
Figure  21.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass chromatogram from the analysis  of  sample  16317
               (ACD8700407)  for  NBDPE.   The shaded  peaks  represent the responses
               to NBDPE  isomers.
                                              45

-------
         J4VQ1    i-CCT-23     Sir Voltage  78-25BE  Sys OTS27
         Sanple 1   iniection 1    Group 1   Rass 957.1789
         Text BRtK. 7S-8-DE  101 INJ.
      28.
                    [M + 8]**/DBDPE
              3838   31-68   3138   32=88   3238   33=88   3338   34-
         J84UQ1    4-OCT-89     Sir Voltage  78-E5BS  Sys^ OTS27
         Sample 1   Iniection 1    Group 1   flass 959.1B98
         Text BRORKfiL 79-B-DE  1UL INJ.
                                                                34=38   35 80   35 38   3G'{
       8
       3888   38-38   31=88   31=38   32'88   32-38   33=88   33=38
         J84V01    4-DCT-89     Sir-Voltage  7B-25BS   Sys- OTS27
         Sample 1   Injection 1   Group 1  Class 961.1678
         Text-BRDPlKflL 79-8-DE  111 IHJ.
                          12]**/DBDPE
188.

88.

68.

48.

2E.

 e.
 38=88   3836   31 =
                                                         34=88   34-38   35=86   35'3B
                                                                              Horn:
                                          32-38   33=88  33 38  34=88    34-38   35=88   35 38   36-Bt
Figure 22.    HRGC/HRMS-SIM mass  chromatogram from  the analysis  of  a 1000-pg/yL
                standard of Bromkal 79-8-DE for DBDPE.   The shaded peaks
                represent the response to  DBDPE.
                                              46

-------
         J94VB     4-OCT-89     Sir Voltage  78-258S   Sys  OTS27
         SasDle 1   injection 1    Group  1   fiass 957.17B3
         Text 88B2R-1G317  IUL 1KJ.
                      [M + SJ+'/DBDPE
                                                                                           IB
30-BB   3B 3B   31 BE   31-38   32-88   3238   33=88   33=38   34=88   34=38
  JB4VB     4-OCT-B9     Sir"Voltage 78-25BS   Sys= DTS27
  Sample 1  Injection  1    Group 1   Rass 95S.1B3B
  Iext'8B62fi-lE317  IUL IHJ.
                                                                                    35'3B   3B'
38-08   3838   31-88   31-38   32=88   32-38   33-88   3338
  JB4V6     4-OCT-89     SLrVoltage  7B-25BS   Sys= DTS27
  Sasple 1   Injection  1    Group 1   Plass 9B1.1E76
  7ext=88B2R-lB317  IUL IHJ.


               [M + 12]**/DBDPE
                                                                              Norn:
                                                                                    19
                                                                      34-38   35-BB   35-38   36'
                                                                                           13
                                                                      34-38   35=88   35-38   3B-B6
Figure 23.   HRGC/HRMS-SIM  mass chromatogram  from the analysis  of  sample 16317
                (ACD8700407) for  DBDPE.   The  shaded  peaks  represent the  responses
                to DBDPE.
                                               47

-------
                                                          •V1U3M63     WI6I2S120
                          11-00  1250  1440  16:30  1820  2010  22.00  2350  25.40  27.30  2920  31:10 33:00
                                 HxBDPE          HpBDPE        OBDPE       NBDPE       DBOPE

                         HRGC/HRMS-SIM Mass Chromatogram from the Analysis of A Solution of Bromkal
                       100 -,
                        80 -
                        60 -
                        40 -
                        20 -
Ml 454 6931
|(W.4| 2Br.CoB
-------
          The  mass  chromatograms  for  the  HxBDPE  and  HpBDPE  Indicate  the
presence of additional  brominated  compounds.  These  responses were  noted for
the ion  cluster representing the  loss  of two bromines and the  loss of COBr.
The masses  and ratios of  ions  observed are consistent with  either  tetra- or
pentabromo-DPEs  or TBDF or  PeBDF.   The  responses  do not  overlap  with  the
2,3,7,8-TBDF or 1,2,3,7,8-PeBDF which  were  evaluated in the  previous study.
Most  of these responses  are  detected in  Bromkal   70-5-DE,  which   has  been
reported  to  contain  41.7%   2,2',4,4'-TBDPE,   7.6%   assorted  PeBDPEs,  44.4%
2,2',4,4',5'-PeBDPE, and 6% assorted HxBDPEs.*'11

          Previous efforts for  the analysis  of  PBDFs  from plastics and resins
treated  with   brominated fire retardants  have  reported  that  the overlap of
PBDFs  with  PBDPEs  of  one   additional  degree  of  bromination  may be  more
predominant than two additional bromines (i.e., the PeBDPE homolog may overlap
more with TBDF than  does HxBDPE).s*ll»   Most  of the responses from the Bromkal
standards are  detected in  the samples, suggesting the  presence  of TBDPEs and
PeBDPEs  rather than  PBDFs.  Other researchers  have  identified  PBDPE patterns
similar  to  the Bromkal  pattern in fish and  avian  tissues and  eggs from the
United States  and  Canada, Sweden, and Japan.12"17

          The  analyses of the laboratory method blanks prepared along with the
NHATS samples  demonstrated that the laboratory was free  of  background levels
of these brominated compounds.


VI.  CONCLUSIONS

          This study  has resulted  in the  detection  and  confirmation  of PHDPEs
in  adipose  tissue.    The  identifications are  based  on  both  full  scan  mass
spectrometery  and  HRMS-SIM   (R >  10,000),  comparison  of observed  responses
versus  standards,  comparison  of theoretical  ion ratios  versus observed  ion
ratios for  characteristics ions,  and measurements of  fragment losses from the
molecular ion  clusters.
                   *

          The  full  scan  analysis demonstrated  the  presence  of  the  hexa-
bromo-DPE  (HxBDPE)  and the  nonachloro-DPE  (NCDPE).  These compounds  were
observed as  the major responses in the adipose tissue  extract and correspond
to concentrations  that were estimated to exceed the 1 ng/g (ppb) level.

          The  estimates of  the  PCDPE  levels  from   the  preliminary analysis
effort,  which  focused on the determination  of  PCDFs, are comparable with the
values   calculated  in  this   confirmation   study   versus   authentic  PCDPE
standards.     Hence,   the  data  (Table 1)  generated  versus  the  PCDF  RRF
measurements  are  considered  good preliminary  values  of the  levels  in  the
general  U.S.   population.   The  levels  of  PCDPEs reported  have a  number of
caveats:    the  sample preparation procedures  are  not  optimized  for  PCDPE
recoveries and the quantitations  are based on recoveries  of carbon  13-labeled
PCDF  internal  quantitation standards.   The  presence of  the PBDPEs was  con-
firmed by the  additional HRMS-SIM experiments, although it was not possible to
refine  the  estimates of concentrations from the preliminary effort due  to a
lack of  individual PBDPE isomers.
                                      49

-------
          In  addition  to  confirming  the  presence  of  the  hexa-  through
octabromo DPEs, which  were  detected in the analysis  for PBDFs, the nona- and
decabromo-DPEs were identified in the adipose tissue extracts.  The decabromo-
DPE response was  estimated  to range from ND to  700 pg/g based on an external
standard measurement using a solution containing only the decabromo-DPE.  This
compound  was  detected  in   three  of  the  five  extracts  analyzed  in  this
confirmation effort.

          The PCDPEs  are  usually associated with PCDD/PCDF  as by-products in
the  production  of  chlorinated   pesticides,  wood   preservatives,  and  other
commercial  products.   Therefore,  their presence  in adipose  tissue  provides
additional  indication of  human  exposure   to  such  commercial products  and,
ultimately, PCDDs and PCDFs.

          The  PBDPEs  are  primarily  used   as  fire  retardants and are  used
extensively  in  the  plastics,  clothing,  building,  and  numerous  other  indus-
tries.  Their presence in human adipose tissue and the similarity of the major
peak  patterns  between  the  tissue samples  and   the  fire  retardant  mixed
standards suggests exposure to these compounds from commercial products.


VII.  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY

          Further  evaluation  of  the levels of  halogenated  aromatic compounds
in  human adipose  tissues  should  include  the  refinement  of  the  analytical
methods  to  promote  simultaneous  determination  of  dioxins,  furans, diphenyl-
ethers,   and   non-ortho-substituted  biphenyls.     This  approach   would  be
especially  useful  in  studies  focused on  chlorinated aromatics.  The resulting
data from these  studies  should be analyzed for  correlations  between  compound
classes  to  provide  indications   of  routes of  exposure.   Refinement  of  the
analytical  methods  will  require  development  and  acquisition of  additional
analytical  standards  and  internal  quantitation standards  to promote  quan-
titative recovery and precision.

          Additional analysis efforts for PBDPEs should Include experiments to
determine  the presence  of   other PBDPEs such  as  the  tetra-  and  pentabromo
congeners.
                                      50

-------
VIII.  REFERENCES

 1.  U.S. EPA.   1987.   U.S.  Environmental  Protection Agency.  Polyhalogenated
     Dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans;  testing   and  reporting  requirements:
     final rule.  40  CFR  Parts  707  and 766.  Federal Register 52(108), June 5,
     1987.

 2.  Cramer P,  Ayling R,  Stanley J.   1989.   Determination of PCDDs and PCDFs
     in  Human Adipose  Tissue:    data  report,  batches 1  and 2,  revision 2.
     Prepared for the Field  Studies Branch, Office  of Toxic Substances, U.S.
     Environmental Protection Agency.

 3.  Cramer P,  Ayling R,  Stanley J.   1989.   Determination of PCDDs and PCDFs
     in  Human Adipose Tissue:   data report,  batches 3, 4, and 5, revision 1.
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                                      51

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                                      52

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REPORT DOCUMENTATION »• ««""• NO- «•
PAGE EPA 560/5-90-012
4. Title and Subtitle
Mass Spectral Confirmation of Chlorinated and Brominated
Diphenyl ethers in Human Adipose Tissues
7. Authors)
P.H. Cramer, J.S. Stanley, and K.R. Thornburg
9. Perlermtnf Orftntntlon Name and Addreea
Midwest Research Institute
425 Volker Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64110
816-753-7600
12. Spontorinc Org anlsatlon Name and Addreaa
Field Studies Branch TS-798, Exposure Evaluation Division,
Office of Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460

S. Report Date
June 15, 1990
«.
A. Parformlnf Organization RepL No.
10. Proract/Toak/Werfc Unit No.
8863-A(27)
11. ControcMC) or GranMG) No.

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