Analysis of Formaldehyde in Drinking Water Using Triple Quadrupole LC/MS/MS [LCMS-8050]

Introduction

Formaldehyde is highly toxic and the levels are regulated in many products, including cosmetics, textiles, household products, and indoor (work) environments since it is also one of the causes of sick house syndrome. Japan has a water quality standard in place for formaldehyde levels in drinking water (0.08 mg/L), and a test method is specified in appended table 19, solvent extraction-derivatization-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method, of the methods determined by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare based on prescriptions of ministerial ordinance concerning water standards (Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry notification No. 261 of July 22, 2003). Revisions to the ministerial ordinance concerning water standards were promulgated on March 30, 2016 (Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry notification No. 115 effective April 1, 2016), adding two new formaldehyde test methods, appended table 19-2 derivatization-high performance liquid chromatography method and appended table 19-3 derivatization-liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry method, to the methods determined by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare based on prescriptions of ministerial ordinance concerning water standards. We describe an example of simultaneous analysis of formaldehyde and another compound that requires examination, acetaldehyde, according to the derivatization-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method that was added to the ministerial ordinance.

August 26, 2016 GMT