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Application Note: Analysis of semivolatile organic compounds with hydrogen carrier gas and the Agilent HydroInert Source by GC/MS/MS

This application demonstrates low detection limit capabilities of the Agilent 7000E triple quadrupole GC/MS, meeting EPA 8270 requirements when using H2 carrier gas.

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is integral to the analysis of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in environmental matrices. Some methods have extended instrumentation to include gas chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) as users push towards lower detection limits. Recent pressure on the helium (He) supply has required organisations to actively investigate hydrogen (H2 ) carrier gas, but most GC/MS and GC/MS/MS analyses have reduced sensitivity and hydrogenation or dechlorination in the existing mass spectrometry products. New advances in mass spectrometer design have reduced hydrogenation and dechlorination reactions in the source. The Agilent HydroInert source retains the ability to analyse a wide calibration range, for some compounds from 0.02 to 100 µg/mL, and meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method 8270 calibration criteria when using H2 carrier gas.