Current U.S. EPA Method Development for Drinking Water by LC-MS/MS
Oral Presentation
Prepared by W. Adams, M. Zimmerman, S. Wendelken
CB&I Federal Services, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH, 45268, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 513-569-7656
ABSTRACT
The application of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the analysis of drinking water has been shown to be advantageous due to the technique’s ability to selectively resolve and detect many different types of contaminants of public concern. In addition to the selectivity and sensitivity, the use of LC-MS/MS can eliminate sample preparation steps necessary with other instrumental techniques, which can shorten analysis time and reduce variables that can contribute to inaccurate results. The U.S. EPA, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Technical Support Center (USEPA, OGWDW, TSC) is responsible for the development of methods used for regulatory and non-regulatory analysis of contaminants in drinking water. Validation of methods is performed through the collection of method performance data, including evaluation of background contributions, precision and accuracy measurements, reporting limit calculations, storage stability determinations, and second laboratory demonstrations. Representative tap water matrixes fortified with target analytes are used in these studies in order to quantify matrix effects and document potential interferences. The most recent LC-MS/MS method development has included EPA Method 542 (Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products), EPA Method 545 (Anatoxin-a and Cylindrospermopsin), and development of other methods containing analytes listed on the most recent Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) and Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR). Method performance data and observations noted during research are discussed.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by W. Adams, M. Zimmerman, S. Wendelken
CB&I Federal Services, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH, 45268, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 513-569-7656
ABSTRACT
The application of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the analysis of drinking water has been shown to be advantageous due to the technique’s ability to selectively resolve and detect many different types of contaminants of public concern. In addition to the selectivity and sensitivity, the use of LC-MS/MS can eliminate sample preparation steps necessary with other instrumental techniques, which can shorten analysis time and reduce variables that can contribute to inaccurate results. The U.S. EPA, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Technical Support Center (USEPA, OGWDW, TSC) is responsible for the development of methods used for regulatory and non-regulatory analysis of contaminants in drinking water. Validation of methods is performed through the collection of method performance data, including evaluation of background contributions, precision and accuracy measurements, reporting limit calculations, storage stability determinations, and second laboratory demonstrations. Representative tap water matrixes fortified with target analytes are used in these studies in order to quantify matrix effects and document potential interferences. The most recent LC-MS/MS method development has included EPA Method 542 (Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products), EPA Method 545 (Anatoxin-a and Cylindrospermopsin), and development of other methods containing analytes listed on the most recent Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) and Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR). Method performance data and observations noted during research are discussed.
