Published:Journal of Chromatographic Science,
ISSN 0021-9665Volume
38, Number 2, February 2000, pp. 49–54
The
Use of Solid-Phase Microextraction in Conjunction with a Benchtop Quadrupole
Mass Spectrometer for the Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Human Blood
at the Low Parts-Per-Trillion LevelFrederick
L. Cardinali, David L. Ashley, Joe V. Wooten, Joan M. McCraw, and Sharon W.
Lemire Division of Environmental Health Laboratory Sciences, National Center
for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public
Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA 30341
The
analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in whole human blood at the low
parts-per-trillion level has until recently required the use of a high-resolution
mass spectrometer to obtain the specificity and detection limits required for
epidemiological studies of VOC exposure in the general public. Because of the
expense and expertise required to operate and maintain a high-resolution instrument,
the applicability of this method has been limited. These limitations are overcome
in a new method using automated headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME)
in conjunction with a gas chromatograph and a benchtop quadrupole mass spectrometer.
A combination of SPME and multiple single-ion monitoring minimizes the interferences
and chemical noise associated with whole blood samples. This method permits
the analysis of 10 VOCs in human blood while simplifying the sample preparation
and reducing the possible exposure of the analyst to blood aerosols. Twelve
samples can be run successively in a fully automated mode, thus eliminating
the need for operator attention. Detection limits are below 50 ppt (pg/mL) for
a majority of the VOCs tested with a 5-mL sample.
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