CCQM-K131 Low-polarity analytes in a multicomponent organic solution: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in acetonitrile
Authors: Duewer David L , Sander Lane C , Wise Stephen A , Lippa Katrice , Philipp Rosemarie , Hein Sebastian , Hackenberg Rudolf , Polzer Joachim , Avila Marco A , Serrano Victor , Kakoulides Elias , Alexopoulos Charalampos , Giannikopoulou Panagiota , Chan Pui-kwan , Lee Ho-man , Tang Hau-san , Tang Po-on , Yip Yiu-chung , Lu Ting , Cheow Pui Sze , Teo Tang Lin , Rego Eliane C P do , Violante Fernando G M , Carvalho Lucas J de , Leal Rodrigo V P , Sega Michela , Rolle Francesca , Baek Song-Yee , Kim Byungjoo , Lee Sunyoung , Cabillic Julie , Fallot Carine , Hua Tang , Dazhou Chen , Changjun, Ye , Chunxin Li , Hongmei Li , Itoh Nobuyasu , Quinn Laura , Prevoo-Franzsen Desiree , Fernandes-Whaley Maria , Gören Ahmet Ceyhan , Gökçen Taner , Gündüz Simay , Krylov Anatoliy , Mikheeva Alena , Baldan Annarita , Hout J Wouter van der , Veen Adriaan M H van der 
Published: November 2018

Solutions of organic analytes of known mass fraction are typically used to calibrate the measurement processes used to determine these compounds in matrix samples. Appropriate value assignments and uncertainty calculations for calibration solutions are critical for accurate measurements. Evidence of successful participation in formal, relevant international comparisons is needed to document measurement capability claims (CMCs) made by national metrology institutes (NMIs) and designated institutes (DIs). To enable NMIs and DIs to update or establish their claims, in 2015 the Organic Analysis Working Group (OAWG) sponsored CCQM-K131 “Low-Polarity Analytes in a Multicomponent Organic Solution: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Acetonitrile”.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) result from combustion sources and are ubiquitous in environmental samples. The PAH congeners, benz[a]anthracene (BaA), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), and naphthalene (Nap) were selected as the target analytes for CCQM-K131. These targets span the volatility range of PAHs found in environmental samples and include potentially problematic chromatographic separations. Nineteen NMIs participated in CCQM-K131. The consensus summary mass fractions for the three PAHs are in the range of (5 to 25) μg/g with relative standard deviations of (2.5 to 3.5) %.

Successful participation in CCQM-K131 demonstrates the following measurement capabilities in determining mass fraction of organic compounds of moderate to insignificant volatility, molar mass of 100 g/mol up to 500 g/mol, and polarity pKow < −2 in a multicomponent organic solution ranging in mass fraction from 100 ng/g to 100 μg/g: (1) value assignment of primary reference standards (if in-house purity assessment carried out), (2) value assignment of single and/or multi-component organic solutions, and (3) separation and quantification using gas chromatography or liquid chromatography.

KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH

benz[a]anthracene (BaA), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), gas chromatography(GC), isotope dilution (ID), liquid chromatography (LC), mass spectrometry (MS), naphthalene (Nap), organic calibration solution, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)

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The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).