Determination of benzene in soft drinks and other beverages by isotope dilution headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Cao, X-Liang.; Casey, V.; Seaman, S.; Tague, B.; Becalski, A.
Journal - Association of Official Analytical Chemists 90(2): 479-484
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-5756 PMID: 17474520 Document Number: 613704
An automated, simple, and reproducible method was developed for the determination of benzene in soft drinks, based on isotope dilution headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the selected-ion monitoring mode. The method was used to assess benzene levels in samples of 124 soft drinks and beverages. Benzene was not detected in 60% of the 124 products. The average benzene levels in 6 products exceeded the Canadian maximum acceptable concentration of 5 og/L for benzene in drinking water, and 2 of the 6 products had benzene levels above the World Health Organization guideline of 10 og/L. The highest level of benzene, 23 og/L, was found in a soft drink product specifically marketed to children.