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To conduct a statistical quantification of 17 toxic dioxins and furans, 3 co-planar PCBs and to measure 16 brominated flame retardants in beef, pork, chicken, and turkey samples.
Approach: <br/>
Meat and poultry samples will be analyzed for 17 toxic dioxins and furans and 3 co-planar PCBs by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. The USDA-ARS will conduct dioxin analysis on approximately 500 samples from beef, pork, chicken, and turkey samples collected by the US 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 Method 1614 "Brominated diphenyl ethers in water, soil, sediment, and tissue by HRGC/HRMS.