This review provides a critical assessment of recent analytical methodologies for determining four classes of emerging and persistent organic contaminants (EPOCs) (flame retardants, plasticizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS], and polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]) in fine particulate matter (dp) up to 2.5 μm (PM2.5). A systematic literature search following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses) protocol retrieved 74 relevant studies published between 2019 and 2025. Sampling strategies were predominantly based on outdoor campaigns using high-volume samplers. Sample preparation and analytical workflows showed notable class-specific patterns: for instance, acidic pH and negative ionization modes (NCI/ECNI) were common in methods halogenated flame retardants and PCBs, while PFAS analysis often relied on specialized solid-phase extraction sorbents. A wide range of chromatographic systems was observed, with gas and liquid chromatography frequently coupled to tandem or high-resolution mass spectrometry. A meta-analysis of 161 data points from five studies on PFAS, using a random-effects multilevel model with restricted maximum likelihood (REML) estimation, revealed a combined average recovery rate of 98%. However, high heterogeneity was observed, strongly influenced by the analytes and the experimental conditions. Future research should focus on multicomponent approaches, automation, miniaturized extraction techniques, and environmentally sustain-able workflows to improve efficiency, comparability, and analytical comprehensiveness in atmospheric studies.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of recent analytical methodologies applied in the determination of emerging and persistent organic contaminants in PM2.5
Polidoro, Allan dos Santos;Franchina, Flavio AntonioPenultimo
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2027
Abstract
This review provides a critical assessment of recent analytical methodologies for determining four classes of emerging and persistent organic contaminants (EPOCs) (flame retardants, plasticizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS], and polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]) in fine particulate matter (dp) up to 2.5 μm (PM2.5). A systematic literature search following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses) protocol retrieved 74 relevant studies published between 2019 and 2025. Sampling strategies were predominantly based on outdoor campaigns using high-volume samplers. Sample preparation and analytical workflows showed notable class-specific patterns: for instance, acidic pH and negative ionization modes (NCI/ECNI) were common in methods halogenated flame retardants and PCBs, while PFAS analysis often relied on specialized solid-phase extraction sorbents. A wide range of chromatographic systems was observed, with gas and liquid chromatography frequently coupled to tandem or high-resolution mass spectrometry. A meta-analysis of 161 data points from five studies on PFAS, using a random-effects multilevel model with restricted maximum likelihood (REML) estimation, revealed a combined average recovery rate of 98%. However, high heterogeneity was observed, strongly influenced by the analytes and the experimental conditions. Future research should focus on multicomponent approaches, automation, miniaturized extraction techniques, and environmentally sustain-able workflows to improve efficiency, comparability, and analytical comprehensiveness in atmospheric studies.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
