Solid phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for the rapid and simultaneous determination of forty-nine parent and halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human serum

Halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (H-PAHs) are the emerging organic pollutants in environment, which are ubiquitous in the atmosphere, soil and water. Some H-PAH congeners have been proved to have dioxin-like toxicity. However, the research on the human internal exposure of H-PAHs is still limited. A simple and efficient analytical method is essential for the study of human internal exposure, so a method for the rapid and simultaneous determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 33 H-PAHs in human serum was established in this study. After 1.0 mL serum was extracted with ethyl acetate/acetonitrile (1:4) solution containing 1% formic acid, samples were purified by Captiva EMR-Lipid solid phase extraction column, and then determined by gas chromatography tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-MS/MS). The results showed that the recoveries of PAHs and H-PAHs ranged from 71.2% to 119% and 68.8% to 121%, respectively. When 1.0 mL of serum sample is used, the method detection limit of PAHs and H-PAHs is 0.001–0.314 ng/mL. The method is simple and efficient, and suitable for the simultaneous determination of trace PAHs and H-PAHs in human serum. High concentrations of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in pooled serum, of which 1,5-dichloranthracene was the main contributor congener, with a concentration of 204–328 ng/g lipid, which deserved more attention.