Detection and quantification of traces of bisphenol A and bisphenol S in paper samples using analytical pyrolysis-GC/MS.

In this paper a simplified method based on analytical pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) for the detection and quantification of bisphenol A and bisphenol S in paper samples is presented. The method enables a direct analysis of the samples without tedious sample preparation. As the analytes are thermally desorbed, a solvent extraction is not needed. The method is applicable to small samples of ~120 μg. The limits of detection are below 1 mg kg(-1) for bisphenol A and for bisphenol S. The limits of quantification are about 1.3 mg kg(-1). Several validation characteristics of the method developed like standard error of calibration, limit of determination, linearity, and accuracy are given. To prove the accuracy of the method, interferences and matrix dependencies were also investigated. The influence of the pyrolysis crucibles, a special effect of analytical pyrolysis, was additionally investigated. It was found that the impact of the crucibles on the results is significant and one cause for matrix effects.