Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

So basically... I am trying to find out what I can use to detect phthalates in water and/or algae.
http://web.biosci.utexas.edu/utex/algae ... gaeID=4089
I've asked Vernier if their Gas Chromatograph could detect phthalates and they responded that the chromatograph can not detect phthalates. I then looked at Vernier's SpectroVis Plus with SpectroVis Optical Fiber. The spectrophotometer is said to

easily determine the concentration of a solution or monitor rates of reaction"

I was wondering if this would be the tool to use.. I need to find something that is very convenient to use and can be done in our high school lab. Any respone would be great!
Thank You.
Harold Whitford Jr.

Hi,

Here is a document describing the main commonly used methods of measuring phthalate esters in environmental samples:

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp73-c6.pdf

The main method appears to be GC with an electron capture detector.

Here is a survey of a number of labs analyzing for phthalates in foods:

http://www.bezpecnostpotravin.cz/UserFi ... talaty.pdf

As far as I can tell quickly the main analysis techniques for phthalates are gc/ms, gc with FID and gc with FID detectors, I would try to find a way to use one of these.

Best regards,

Barrett L Tomlinson