International comparison on the determination of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in sediment

An international comparison (CCQM-P17) on the determination of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in sediment by national metrology institutes was carried out. We participated in this comparison by applying pressurized fluid extraction (PFE), followed by isotope-dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (ID-GC/MS). Details of our results for the determination of the four target congeners are described in terms of a quantification procedure using an equation that has been used for describing the IDMS method, a comparison of the PFE efficiency with that by Soxhlet extraction, and an evaluation of the uncertainties of the measurement. Full results of the international comparison are also given, in which our results are comparable to those reported by a majority of the participants.