Advancements in determining semi-volatile organic compounds in groundwater

Semi volatile organic compounds (SVOC) have a variety of chemical properties that have been found to cause harmful effects to both humans and the environment. Accurate measurements are challenging to obtain because SVOCs readily adsorb onto surfaces and are found in common household items such as cleaning agents, personal care products, electrical components, pesticides, water and food. Laboratories around the world measure these compounds in water, soil, and leachates from waste sites. US EPA Method 8270E can be used to determine the concentration of SVOCs extracted from liquid, solid and leachate samples in effort to limit exposure and the spread of these persistent organic pollutants. ¹ While almost all laboratories test for less than the full list of 243 compounds included in the method, typical laboratories will often measure a large suite of 80 to 100 compounds.

Compound classes that can be extracted using this method include: polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and pesticides, phthalate esters, organophosphate esters, nitrosamines, halo ethers, aldehydes, ethers, ketones, anilines, pyridines, quinolines, aromatic nitro compounds, and phenols. This application will demonstrate the results of Initial Demonstration of Proficiency (IDP) evaluations for compliance with US EPA Method 8270E to determine a list of semi-volatile organic compounds that are neutral, acidic, and basic. Solid phase extraction (SPE) is described as a suitable sample preparation alternative in Method 8270E and method US EPA 3535 outlines the general use of SPE. Suitable sorbent material in disk format for this list of analytes and a modern system for automation will be demonstrated. 

Literature number: P229