ASTM_D_3973_-_85_2011.pdf

Designation:D397385(Reapproved 2011)Standard Test Method forLow-Molecular Weight Halogenated Hydrocarbons in Water1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3973;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()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the analysis of drinking water.It is also applicable to many environmental and waste waterswhen adequate validation is included.1.2 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofhalomethanes,haloethanes,and some related extractable or-ganohalides amenable to gas chromatographic measurement.The applicable concentration range for trihalomethanes is from1 to 200 g/L.Detection limits depend on the compound,matrix,and on the characteristics of the gas chromatographicsystem.1.3 For compounds not specifically included in the precisionand bias section the analyst should validate the test method bycollecting precision and bias data on actual samples.1.4 Confirmation of component identities is obtained byobserving retention times using gas chromatographic columnsof different polarities.When concentrations are sufficientlyhigh(50 g/L)confirmation with halogen specific detectorsor gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(GC/MS)may beused.Confirmation of purgeable compounds at levels down to1 g/L can be obtained using Test Method D3871 with GC/MSdetection.1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.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.Specific precau-tionary statements are given in Section 8.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1129 Terminology Relating to WaterD1193 Specification for Reagent WaterD3871 Test Method for Purgeable Organic Compounds inWater Using Headspace SamplingE355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relation-ships3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this testmethod,refer to Terminology D1129 and Practice E355.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 This test method employs liquid/liquid extraction toisolate compounds of interest and provide a five-fold concen-tration enhancement prior to measurement.3,4,5A5-mLaqueoussample is extracted once with 1 mL of solvent.D3871-Laliquot of the extract is analyzed in a gas chromatographequipped with an electron-capture detector.4.2 Extraction efficiencies with the 1:5 solvent/sample ratiofor trihalomethanes average above 90%.To compensate forextraction losses,calibration standards are extracted and ana-lyzed in an identical manner.4.3 The concentration of each component is calculated andreported in micrograms per litre.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Waterand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.06 on Methods forAnalysis forOrganic Substances in Water.Current edition approved May 1,2011.Published June 2011.Originallyapproved in 1980.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D3973 85(2003).DOI:10.1520/D3973-85R11.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Mieure,J.P.,“A Rapid and Sensitive Method for Determining VolatileOrganohalides in Water,”Journal AWWA,Vol 69,1977,p.60.4Richard,J.J.,and Junk,G.A.,“Liquid Extraction for Rapid Determination ofHalomethanes in Water,”Journal AWWA,Vol 69,1977,p.62.5“The Analysis of Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water by Liquid/LiquidExtraction,”U.S.Environmental Protection Agency,EMSL,Cincinnati,OH,Sept.9,1977.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.Significance and Use5.1 The incidental conversion of organic material to triha-lomethanes and other volatile organohalides during chlorina-tion of water is a possible health hazard and is the object ofmuch research.This test method can be used as a rapid,simplemeans for determining many volatile organohalides in raw andprocessed water.6.Interferences6.1 Volatile compounds that are extractable and responsiveto electron-capture detection may interfere with this testmethod.6.2 Impurities in the extracting solvent can be a source ofinterference.Solvent blanks should be analyzed daily andbefore a new bottle of solvent is used for the first time.Whenever interfering compounds are traced to the solvent,anew source of solvent should be obtained.Alternatively,impurities may be removed by distillation,column chromatog-raphy3or purging with high-purity nitrogen or helium.