Dioxins and Furans – An Analytical Challenge

A Discussion with Keith Sturgeon, Pace^® POPs Department Manager

Dioxins and furans are types of chemicals that belong to a category of harmful substances known as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The mention of "dioxin" often raises concerns due to its highly toxic nature and its ability to accumulate in organisms.

Sherri Lloyd, Product Marketing Manager at Pace^®, recently spoke with Keith Sturgeon, Pace^® POPs Department Manager to discuss Dioxins and Furans and why they are some of the most complicated compounds to analyze.

Tell us a little bit about how you became an expert in POPs.

My journey in this industry began at the age of 19, conducting mass spectrometry analysis. After earning a Geology degree from North Carolina State, I joined Duke University to establish a lab for Stable Isotope Extraction and analysis for the Duke University Marine Lab. Transitioning from a Geochemical (Paleoclimatology) technician role at Duke University, I ventured into the private sector with Triangle Labs, focusing on Dioxin analysis as a Mass Spectrometer Analyst. Under the guidance of early experts in Dioxin analysis, I honed my skills in analyzing Dioxins, Furans, PCBs, and PAH’s using HRMS. Subsequently, I spent a decade in California studying POPs compounds and deepening my understanding of the industry at large as well as the various analyses available. Following the birth of my daughter, I returned to North Carolina, working briefly at SGS before settling at Pace^® Analytical. For the past decade, I have served as the Department Manager of the POPs group at Pace^® sharing knowledge with a new wave of analysts and helping to carry forward the tradition of excellence and innovation.

Let’s start by discussing the sources of Dioxin and Furans and what they are used for.

To answer the last part of this question first, it must be pointed out that these substances do not serve any practical function independently. Dioxins and furans are unintentional byproducts generated during various processes, such as herbicide production, wood pulp bleaching in the pulp and paper industry, and the incineration of various materials.

While generally considered a matter for larger scaled incineration facilities and manufacturing facilities, the compounds can also be formed by backyard and household trash burning- anywhere given the right conditions with a source of chlorine present.

While the process for their formation is generally well understood, new sources are still being discovered and even inadvertently introduced.

So, let’s talk about why the analysis of these compounds are so complicated.

The analysis of Dioxins and furans are indeed some of the most complicated analyses in the industry comparable to PCBs and PBDEs. These compounds exhibit high toxicity level at very low concentrations. The necessity to analyze at such low concentrations (often referred to as ultra-trace levels) presents significant challenges. At such low levels, isolating these compounds from various matrices can be difficult.

Everything from complex soil matrices and tissue to plain water can host these compounds. Each type of matrix necessitates a distinct procedure to accurately separate and isolate the compounds from any potential chemical interferences that could cause hindrance in the analysis. Various extraction processes followed up by numerous cleanup (isolation or enrichment) steps are required before the sample can even begin the process of being analyzed- an analysis that generally requires very sensitive and technically advanced and expensive equipment.

While there are some changes underway, led by Pace^® in the US, the EPA (according to their offices) currently have no plans to overhaul the methods to move away from these labor-intensive and expensive instruments.

Pace^® has been at the forefront of Dioxins and Furans testing and analysis for years. Could you explore this topic in more detail?

This story requires some historical background. Back in the late 80s, Pace® started analyzing for Dioxins and Furans, a time when the methods and technical procedures were not as well understood as they are today. Handling samples demanded even more specialized and individualized care back then compared to now, with many processes being tailored in labs by adjusting the methodologies of that time to address various matrix challenges. This necessitated a deep understanding of the chemistry and physics underpinning these procedures. At that point, only a handful of labs, a small fraction of those currently in operation, were equipped for such analysis due to the specialized expertise and frankly the costly equipment needed. Pace® stood out in this regard, and because of our expertise we were afforded and took advantage of the opportunity to participate in numerous groundbreaking studies and activities.

As time moved forward and technologies evolved, Pace® remained committed to investing in education and research with its now highly specialized team, many of which remain with the company to this day. They are passing on their knowledge to a new generation of analysts to carry forward the legacy of innovation, while continuously enhancing and refining techniques for these analyses and others like them.

Are there any sample types that are particularly challenging for dioxin analysis?

There are many. While most labs that offer this service focus on the basic water, soil, and air matrices, dioxins and furans can accumulate in a wide variety of other matrices - such as primary chemicals used in manufacturing, carpet, asphalt, waste sludge, animal feeds, oils just to name a handful- all of which can present unknown obstacles to analysis.

At Pace^®, we take pride in our team’s ability to handle virtually any conceivable matrix and have many clients that depend on our flexibility and ingenuity to find solutions to these problematic matrices.

When selecting a laboratory for Dioxin Furan Analysis what should a customer look for?

Having worked almost exclusively in the dioxin industry for the past 25 years, I believe that what truly distinguishes one lab from another is rarely the detection limits they can achieve (most labs are comparable in this aspect and generally meet industry standards) or the overall lab capacity. While the turnaround time for results and timely delivery are crucial, maintaining strong and timely communications with clients is, in the long term, what separates a great lab from the rest. These analyses are not standardized procedures; issues can arise. Therefore, I consider effective communication regarding result delivery to be the most critical aspect of our role as a service provider. We understand that many clients have time-sensitive concerns that impact decisions on future steps and expenditures, hinging on our results. When a lab commits to a date, it must adhere to it. If unforeseen circumstances arise, such as instrument malfunctions or sample complications, and these do happen industry wide, it is essential to notify the client promptly, discuss alternatives, and adjust expectations so that the client can adjust their timelines accordingly. In industries that rely on our services, having a dependable partner who can deliver as needed or offer flexibility when plans deviate is indispensable.

Where Can I Lean More or Get a Quote for Pace^® Services?

Pace^® has been providing testing and analysis for Dioxins/Furans and PCB Congeners for over three decades. If you have questions or would like a quote for services, reach out to us. We’re here to help!