This application details the use of the Thermo Scientific TSQ Quantum GC™ triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for the quantitation of PCBs and dl-PCBs in environmental, food and biological samples. The analytical strategy is analogous to United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Method 1668A. Due to differences in analytical response, each PCB chlorination degree was measured against its own isotopically labeled internal standard. Internal standards was labeled with 13C on the biphenyl backbone, yielding 12 labels. Isotope dilution quantitation was performed by spiking the 13C-labeled PCBs into each sample, enabling accurate identification of and correction for the concentration of the native (unlabeled) compounds. Excellent performance was observed in both standard and matrix, and monitoring two transitions per chlorination degree generated five points of identification per compound, meeting EU regulatory requirements.

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