Project Number: 5442-32000-013-02
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement

Start Date: Oct 01, 2012
End Date: Sep 30, 2013

Objective:
To quantify 17 toxic dioxins and furans, 3 co-planar PCBs, and 16 brominated flame retardants in approximately 500 beef, pork, chicken, and turkey samples in support of an FSIS survey of the US meat supply.

Approach:
The USDA ARS will conduct dioxin analysis on approximately 510 samples from beef, pork, chicken, and turkey samples collected by the USDA FSIS for the survey. The analysis includes sample purification and quantification of 17 toxic dioxins and furans, 3 co-planar PCBs, and 16 brominated flame retardants by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. All compounds can be isolated from a single purification procedure. The analytical methods are based on EPA Method 1613 "Tetra- through octa-chlorinated dioxins and furans by isotope dilution HRGC/HRMS" and EPA Draft Method 1614 "Brominated diphenyl ethers in water, soil, sediment, and tissue by HRGC/HRMS." The project will follow the same Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) implemented for the 2002-2003 and 2007/2008 surveys, with minor revisions to reflect changes in personnel and software.