Increase Analyte and Solvent Recoveries for US EPA 8082

Poster Presentation

Prepared by J. Wagner1, L. Thomas2
1 - Buchi Corporation, 19 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE, 19720, United States
2 - Accutest Laboratories, 500 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Scott, LA, 70583, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 302-225-2442


ABSTRACT

The US EPA method 8082 is used to determine the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in extracts prepared from many types of solid, tissue, and aqueous matrices. A solvent exchange from dichloromethane (DCM) to n-hexane is required so the sample can be efficiently analyzed through a gas chromatography / electron capture detector (GC / ECD).

A reproducible concentration of the surrogate compounds, 2,4,5,6-Tetrachloro-m-Xylene (TCMX) and Decachlorobiphenyl (DCB), is necessary to obtain accurate data of the testing compounds, Aroclor 1016 and Aroclor 1260. When performing concentrations in compliance with US EPA 8082 it is important to comply with the EPA’s “Emissions Reduction Program.”

A collaboration with BUCHI Corporation and Accutest® Laboratories was developed to optimize analyte and solvent recoveries for US EPA 8082. Accutest® Laboratories is one of the nation’s largest environmental testing laboratories, combining advanced technology and experienced personnel to deliver “Total Performance You Can Count On.” The BUCHI Syncore® Analyst, a parallel vortex evaporator equipped with a Solvent Vapor Recovery system with integrated control (SVR-N), was used to evaporate up to 12 samples simultaneously. A programmed pressure and time profile optimized for a DCM and n-hexane mixture eliminates the otherwise required solvent exchange, which drastically saves time and yields high analyte recoveries.