Determination of BFRs in food contact articles: an analytical approach using DART-HRMS, XFR and HPLC-MS/MS

Abstract

The combined use of DART-HRMS, XRF and HPLC-MS/MS to determine potential contamination with brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in several food contacts articles (FCAs) purchased in Spain was investigated. DART-HRMS and XRF were used as screening techniques for BFR identification. DART and XRF detected 100 % and 80 % respectively of the contaminated samples. HPLC-MS/MS was used for the determination of TBP (Tribromophenol), TBBPA (Tetrabromobisphenol-A) and BDE-209 (Decabromodiphenyl ether). The HPLC-MS/MS method was validated in terms of correlation coefficient (r2 ≥ 0.994), LOD (≤ 0.02 µg/mL) and LOQ (≤ 0.05 µg/mL). Method recoveries were from 80 % to 120 %. Identified FCAs contaminated with BFRs were subjected to a migration test using 20 % ethanol, 95 % ethanol as food simulants and pepper as food. Migration of the three analyzed BFRs occurred at levels ranging from non-detected to 90 μg/kg in 95 % ethanol