ASTM_D_3534_-_85_1995e1.pdf

Designation:D 3534 85(Reapproved 1995)e1Standard Test Method forPolychlorinated Biphenyls(PCBs)in Water1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3534;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.e1NOTESection 14 was added editorially in June 1995.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of certainpolychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs)including:Aroclors21221,1232,1242,1248,1254,1260,and 1016.1.2 The detection limit is in the range from 0.1 to 0.5 g/Lfor Aroclor 1254 and 1260 when analyzing 1 L of water usingan electron capture detector.The detection limit is compounddependent and is also determined by instrumental sensitivityand interferences present.When using a microcoulometric orconductivity detector,the detection limit is approximately 1.0g/L.1.3 Precision and bias statements reflect recovery of PCBproducts dosed into water samples.These statements may notapply to environmentally altered PCBs.1.4 As the precision and bias statements given may applyonly to waters used,it is the users responsibility to ensure thevalidity of the test method for waters of untested matrices.1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are provided forinformation only.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.For a specifichazard statement,see Note 2.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water3D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water3D 3086 Test Method for Organochlorine Pesticides in Wa-ter4D 3304 Method for Analysis of Environmental Materialsfor Polychlorinated Biphenyls5D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water3D 3694 Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers andfor Preservation of Organic Constituents4E 355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Rela-tionships63.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this testmethod,refer to Terminology D 1129 and Practice E 355.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 Polychlorinated biphenyls are extracted by liquid-liquidextraction and are separated from interferences prior to gaschromatographic determination.Sulfuric acid partitioning or acombination of the standard Florisil7column cleanup proce-dure and a silica gel microcolumn separation procedure(1,2,3)8are employed.Identification is made from gas chro-matographic patterns obtained through the use of two or moreunlike columns.Detection and measurement is accomplishedusing an electron capture,microcoulometric,or electrolyticconductivity detector.Techniques for confirming qualitativeidentification are suggested.The detection limit is approxi-mately 0.1 g/L for the PCB mixtures(Aroclors)listed in 1.1when analyzing 1 L of sample using an electron capturedetector.When using a microcoulometric or conductivitydetector,the detection limit is approximately 1.0 g/L.Preci-sion and accuracy statements reflect recovery of PCB productsdosed into water samples.These statements do not apply toenvironmentally altered PCBs.5.Significance and Use5.1 The extensive and widespread use of PCBs has resultedin their presence in all parts of the environment.Like theorganochlorine pesticides,the PCBs are very persistent.Whilethey are generally less toxic than the organochlorine pesticides,they do have adverse effects on mammals,birds,fish,and other1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-19 on Waterand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.06 on Methods forAnalysis forOrganic Substances inWater.Current edition approved Aug.30,1985.Published November 1985.Originallypublished as D 3534 76 T.Last previous edition D 3534 80.2Aroclor is a registered trademark of Monsanto Co.All Aroclor production wasstopped in 1977.For alternate availability,see paragraph 8.4 of this test method.3Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 11.01.4Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 11.02.5Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 10.03.6Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 14.02.7Florisil,a trademark of and available from Floridin Co.,Three Penn Center,Pittsburgh,PA 15235,has been found satisfactory for this purpose.8The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end ofthis test mthod.1AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS100 Barr Harbor Dr.,West Conshohocken,PA 19428Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.Copyright ASTMaquatic animals.Thus,we must identify and quantitate thePCBs present in the environment.Because of their cumulativenature and level of occurrence,the method for their determi-nation must be capable of measuring quantities