Determination of halogenated flame retardants by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

We present an overview of current analytical methods for selected halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), focusing on instrumental determination using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. We based the strategy for literature search on recent articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals or conference proceedings. We report on selected HFRs and some metabolites and transformation products, and on the analytical performances of different ionization modes, with emphasis on selectivity and sensitivity. Moreover, we compare these parameters with those obtained by gas chromatography.This research work was funded by: -the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the projects CEMAGUA (CGL2007-64551/HID) and Consolider-Ingenio 2010 (CSD2009-00065); -CSIC through the project Intramural (200880I096); and, -Fundación BBVA under the BROMACUA project (Evaluación del impacto ambiental de los retardantes de llama bromados en ecosistemas acuáticos de América Latina). Paula Guerra acknowledges her grant from Department d’Innovació, Universitats i Empresa (2008FI_B 00755).Peer reviewe