Optimization of multi-residue method for targeted screening and quantification of 216 harmful chemicals in plastic children's toys by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis

Herein, we report a multi-residue method based on dissolution-precipitation extraction combined with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis for targeted screening and quantification of 216 harmful chemicals in plastic children's toys. We established a spectrogram database containing the first-order mass spectra of all analytes and their second-order mass spectra at different collision energies. Good separation was attained in less than 60 min. As a simple and low-cost extraction method, dissolution-precipitation exhibited good recoveries for the analytes in the plastic samples. The matrix-matched standard curves were accurate for analyte quantification in specific plastics due to the solvent effects and matrix effects. The limits of quantification range were 0.1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. A wide linear range of 0.1-200 mg/kg was also observed, with r(2)>= 0.9924. The average recoveries ranged from 63.9% to 137.6%, and the relative standard deviation (n = 6) varied from 0.6% to 13.2%. Finally, 31 ABS actual toys and 30 PVC actual toys were detected and 20 analytes with contents ranging from 0.4 mg/kg to 172 mg/kg and 30 analytes from 0.8 mg/kg to 141,030 mg/kg were discovered respectively. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.