GCMS method for analysis of regulated flame retardants from textiles

A new method was established for the determination of extractable flame retardants from textile, foam, leather and plastic test specimens. The flame retardants were extracted with toluene from test specimens using ultrasonic assisted extraction with extraction time of 60 min at 60 ºC. Flame retardants were separated on a DB-XLB column using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with helium (99.9 %) as carrier gas. One target and two qualifier ions were selected for target analyte under SIM/SCAN mode. Pre-treatment parameters were optimized, including the type of extractant, extraction method and extraction time. Under optimized conditions, recoveries of target compounds ranged from 90 to 100.8 %. Calibration curve working range was 0.25 to 5.0 mg L-1 with regression value 0.996-0.998. Relative standard deviation (RSD) was <15% for test specimens and <10% for pure standards respectively. Limit of detections (LODs) were lower than 0.02 mg L-1 level. The proposed method was successfully used for the determination of actual specimens with concentrations ranging from 1.20 to 18.34 mg L-1.