Agilent's Emerging Environmental Contaminants Virtual Summit

High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) offers the opportunity to use a single analysis to simultaneously measure concentrations of target compounds, screen for suspect compounds against large exact mass and/or MS/MS databases, and to look for unique marker compounds prior to their identification (non-target analysis).  Statistical analysis of aligned nontarget feature abundances against bioassay activity offers a means for prioritizing identification of the most toxicologically significant features. This presentation describes the development of integrated workflows using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-Q/TOF-MS and LC-Q/TOF-MS) for wildfire ash, drinking water, and biomethane combustion products. These examples are unified by the need to consider the formation of unknown or unexpected byproducts that may pose toxicity risks via combustion, biotransformation, or other abiotic reactions. 
Urban wildfires provide a good case study for this approach because the urban landscape includes not only vegetation, but also building materials, paints, furniture, solvents, pesticides, and other consumer products which may form a wide range of yet-to-be identified chemicals when the compounds in homes are burned at high temperatures. In one recent project, household-level composite ash samples were collected in Sonoma County, California, soon after the Tubbs fire on November 1, 2017 (3 destroyed homes in each of 4 neighborhoods) along with 3 samples from an undeveloped site upwind of the burned residential areas. Samples were solvent extracted and the extracts were analyzed using GC-Q/TOF-MS and LC-Q/TOF-MS.  Separate extracts were analyzed using a suite of in vitro bioassays for their bioactivity toward nuclear receptors (aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR)) and their influence on the expression of genetic markers of stress and inflammation (interleukin-8b (IL-8b), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and cytochrome P450 (Cyp1A1)).  All genetic markers (Cyp1A1, IL-8b, COX-2) as well as the AhR activity were significantly higher in wildfire samples than in controls, while AR and ER activity were not.  Samples from residential areas were not significantly different from ash samples from the reference site.  Results of extensive suspect and nontarget screening to identify the chemicals responsible for elevated bioactivity using the multiple streams of HRMS data and open source data analysis workflows based on the programs MS-DIAL and MS-FINDER are reported.

The sustainability of freshwater supplies is a growing concern that is being jeopardized by population growth, aged infrastructure, changing climate patterns, and increasing demands by economic activities. Regions that are experiencing severe water drought and scarcity are already developing and implementing technologies to augment their water resources from wastewater effluents. The reuse of wastewater effluents requires the practice of disinfection to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Disinfectants can also react with natural and anthropogenic constituents to form disinfection by-products (DBPs) that pose a potential health problem caused by long-term exposure. However, the formation of DBPs from advanced treatment of treated secondary wastewater effluents for potable reuse has not been well characterized. In this study, a highly sensitive analytical method was developed to characterize 25 DBPs from 5 chemical classes in recycled wastewaters using a gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS). 

The presence of microplastics in oceans, lakes and various environmental aquatic systems is well documented with increasing evidence of microplastic particles present in both consumer foods and bottled beverages.  Whether monitoring environmental samples or consumer food products, a significant analytical capability gap exists for routine identification and quantification of microplastic particles.  In addition to mere identification, the size and morphology of particles is equally important when evaluating aquatic systems due to co-contamination of pollutants adhering to particle surfaces. With the support of EPA Region 9 and our partners at Agilent, Pima County and the University of Arizona have attempted to address these analytical deficiencies through the creation of ASTM standard methodologies for the collection, preparation and analysis of microplastic particles.

It is more important than ever to have the right tools in your laboratory during these challenging times. For decades, laboratories have been using ICP-MS for their trace metal analysis of environmental samples. However, the needs and dynamics of the lab continue to evolve. We want to share how a smarter ICP-MS can improve productivity and profitability by eliminating previously unrecognized laboratory time traps.
 
Also learn how our EPA 200.8 Water Analyzer has further improved productivity with the inclusion of the 7850 ICP-MS.  Developing, optimizing, and implementing a method for regulated ICP-MS water analysis can take weeks or even months. The Agilent EPA 200.8 Water Analyzer is an integrated package of hardware, software, consumables, professional services and documentation that shortens this time to just a few days.

In this webinar we will share with you how we use Ultra High Matrix Introduction (UHMI) technology to minimize the need for sample dilution before analysis, avoiding a time-consuming manual process that can introduce error. UHMI uses an automated routine to optimize the best conditions and allows a wider range of sample matrixes to be run in a single method. Another highlight of the webinar will be sharing the new MassHunter 5.1 software and its IntelliQuant functions. We will share how Total Matrix Solids (TMS) insights enables analysts to quickly assess the matrix level in every sample, providing greater insight on each and every sample and how it can be used for data queries. IntelliQuant data can be viewed as a periodic table heat map, which gives a clear visual indication of the concentration ranges of all elements in each sample. The data can be used to confirm the presence of unexpected elements, helping to reduce the need for sample remeasurement.

The Agilent 5800/5900 ICPOES’ new ‘Smart Tools’, free-form optical components, along with Agilent’s patented background correction and interference removal techniques, will make it much easier to meet the analytical challenges of 200.7 analysis while maintaining instrument uptime.  Optical refinements in the system have resulted in huge improvements in resolution and sensitivity – pushing detection limits down by a factor of 5–10 – while Smart Tools makes it easier than ever to keep your system in top condition.  In addition, we will discuss upcoming trends and new regulations in elemental analysis in the environmental industry.

The presentation will be divided into two sections showing the versatility and robustness of an Agilent tandem quadrupole GC/MS in environmental labs. An updated methodology for EPA Method 521 for the analysis of nitrosamines in drinking water by GC-MS/MS replacing the old technology of Ion Trap GC-CI-MS\MS that is faster, more sensitive and robust will be shown. The second portion will be discussing the analysis of Dioxins and Furans by Isotope Dilution using GC-MS/MS following the extraction procedure and meeting all performance criteria from EPA Method 1613.

Assessing the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) contamination in water, soil, and sediments has become high-volume service offered by environmental testing labs. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID) is the principle technique for TPH analysis due to its simplicity and robustness. This seminar will show how the Agilent Intuvo GC's unique column heating technology can deliver ultra-fast, yet precise and accurate TPH results.  This topic will be of interest to those wanting to use ultra-fast GC to increase productivity.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a hot topic and subject of immense regulatory and public debate. This webinar looks into a crystal ball to gaze at the future of a PFAS lab - Optimized workflows, maximum efficiency, artificial intelligence, and increased throughput that removes the traditional challenges associated with PFAS analysis. We will discuss how the PFAS lab of the future can leverage automated sample collection & preparation strategies to reduce labor and drive productivity, operates the most sensitive analytical instruments that are smart & self-driving, capable of automated early maintenance feedback to enhance robustness, and where hours of manual data review are a thing of the past, replaced by intuitive and agile software to allow seamless transfer of data focused on the user experience with highest level of compliance. 

Forever chemicals, such as microplastics or PFAS, are a growing concern scientifically but also are a focus for the general public as well.  Limitations of current technologies for the measurement of these chemicals have been overcome using either new sample introduction for mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MSMS) or the application of established MS/MS technology to an area not previously attempted:  volatile PFAS compounds in air.  Come see this short overview of both new approaches to these pressing environmental problems and learn how they can help you with your analytical challenges.