Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances that are of international concern. As a result of industrial activity, they are widely spread in the environment and persist for many years after formation. 

The Thermo Scientific POPs workflow is a comprehensive screening and confirmation solution for industrial and government control labs supported by our POPs Center of Excellence experts in Bremen, Germany. Dedicated instrumentation, analytical methods, proven consumables, and tailored software complemented by laboratory information management system (LIMS) solutions enable high performance and high productivity POPs analysis.

The vast majority of samples do not need legislatively mandated confirmation. Negative or compliant samples can be rapidly and quantitatively screened using the high performance of the Thermo Scientific TSQ Quantum XLS GC-MS/MS. With the introduction of screening, more time and instrument resources are available to focus on noncompliant samples, with full confirmation conducted using the Thermo Scientific DFS high resolution GC/MS. All this, using Thermo Scientific TargetQuan software, can be achieved with high confidence and complies with the toughest regulatory requirements. 

Sample Prep Integration

The Dionex™ ASE™ 350 plus the Rocket™ Evaporator for automated sample preparation, combined with the proven analytical capabilities of the TSQ Quantum XLS™ and DFS GC-HRMS, comprise an integrated workflow that delivers increased productivity and sample throughput— a green solution with less solvent usage and waste at a lower cost per sample. 

The Dionex ASE 350 for rapid and complete extraction brings proven and validated technology to the sample preparation step in POPs analysis. The Dionex ASE 350 provides true walk-away automation for unattended operation and high productivity to any laboratory. The flow-through operation allows for the use of adsorbents that can produce extracts essentially free from interferences. The temperature and pressure conditions enable sample extractions in less than 15 minutes each on average with 90% less solvent than traditional methods.
The Rocket Evaporator is a vacuum-based centrifuge evaporator that can concentrate samples automatically and recover 95% or greater of the evaporated solvent. In addition, SampleGenie® enables samples to be concentrated or dried directly into the storage or autosampler vial without the need for manual transfers or graduated washing steps. SampleGenie saves time and eliminates handling errors. In effect, it achieves sample transfer automation, but without the robotics.

Common Applications

• POPs analysis of PCBs or PCDDs in feed and food
• US EPA Method 1613, 1668, 3545A
• EU Method 1883/2006
• Japan JIS K311/312

GC-MS POPs Workflow Solution

Fully integrated POPs workflow from sample prep to results in a comprehensive, value-priced package:

• Dionex ASE 350
• Rocket Evaporator with SampleGenie
• TSQ Quantum XLS triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS for screening
• DFS GC-HRMS with Thermo Scientific AS 3000 II or TriPlus™ autosampler for confirmation
• TargetQuan software
• LIMS for sample and results management
• Single source for consumables, parts, upgrades, service, and technical support