Non-targeted identification of unknown chemical hazardous substances in infant teether toys by gas chromatography-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry

Abstract

Chemical hazardous substances in teethers may migrate into infant's body through oral exposure, resulting in a potential health risk. In recent years, researchers have performed a series of studies for detecting target chemicals in teethers and other toys, but the presence of unknown chemicals has not been systematically investigated yet. This paper reports the non-targeted identification of unknown chemical hazards that may have migrated from teethers to infants based on gas chromatography-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry. In view of the difficulties that may be encountered in the qualitative analysis of substances, several typical cases and the corresponding reliable solutions are given from the perspective of comprehensive score and retention index, isotope-aided qualitative analysis, chemical ionization identification formula, and fragment ion detail comparison for distinguishing isomers. Finally, 28 substances are identified in 10 teether samples. Among them, phenol, N-methylaniline, 1,6-dioxacyclododecane-7,12-dione and cyclohexanone have higher detection rates. This study not only has valuable reference for the identification of unknown substances, but also has positive guiding role in monitoring potential chemical hazards in toys and promoting the safety of products.

Keywords

• Non-targeted
• Infant teethers
• Orbitrap
• High-resolution mass spectrometry