The lifecycle of the chemicals used in our modern lifestyles
Measuring the persistent organic pollutants to understand environmental risks
Modern society serves as significant source of environmental pollution around the globe. From the chemicals used in the industrial processes that make modern lifestyles possible, to the chemicals we flush down our household drains, industrial chemical pollutants can make their way into our water supply and can pose a threat to human health.
Many industrial chemicals are classified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which are resistant to environmental degradation and persist in the environment for long periods of time.
Pesticides, solvents, brominated flame retardants (BFRs), perfluorinated organic compounds (PFCs), and pharmaceuticals are just a few compound classes that are classified as persistent organic pollutants.
LC/MS/MS is an ideal technology for the monitoring of POPs in environmental samples due to its diversity to measure a wide-scope of chemical compounds, its sensitivity to detect very low levels of toxins, and its specificity to ensure reliability and accuracy in chemicals detected in environmental samples.
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from burning of assorted materials
Additional resources:
- Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), Alkylated Derivatives, and Photo-degradation Products in Environmental and Food Samples using LC-FLD-MS/MS with Q TRAP® Technology
- Determination of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in indoor dust and biological material using APPI-LC-MS/MS