Photolytic clean-up of biological samples for gas chromatographic analysis of chlorinated paraffins

A method based on gas chromatography electron capture detection (GC-ECD) for the analysis of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) in biological samples has been investigated. The method includes photolytic destruction of halogenated aromatic compounds, such as PCBs, to eliminate some of the interferences in the analysis of CPs in environmental samples. Gel permeation chromatography was used to isolate CPs from the interfering components of Toxaphene and chlordane after the photolysis. GC-ECD gave a detection limit of 20 ng CPs/g fresh muscle tissue. The recovery of CPs from a spiked moose liver sample was estimated to 94%.