Application Notes: Environmental

The Clean Air Act (CAA) (1) provides the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authority to enforce regulations limiting emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other air pollutants. The Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Compounds in Ambient Air includes a variety of sampling and analysis methods (2, 3), including use of single- and multi-sorbent tubes. Concentrating a large volume of sample onto a sorbent tube, followed by thermal desorption onto a GC column provides an efficient, cost-effective means of monitoring VOCs at parts per billion (ppb) or parts per trillion (ppt) levels.

The CUSTODIONâ„¢ solid phase microextraction (SPME) syringe was used to rapidly sample and concentrate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water in 5 s. The VOCs were analyzed quickly and reliably in approximately 70 s using the GUARDIONâ„¢ -7 portable capillary gas chromatograph toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer (GC-TMS).

A new technique, QuEChERS, standing for Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe, is readily accepted by both the AOAC International and the Committee of European Normalization (CEN) for the pesticide residues in foods and agriculture products. Waters DisQuEâ„¢ Dispersive Sample Preparation Kit contains conveniently-packaged centrifuge tubes with pre-weighed sorbents and buffers designed for use with the AOAC official QuEChERS methods.

The purge-and-trap (P&T) technique for analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was pioneered in the 1970s at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) research laboratory in Cincinnati. Many of the operational parameters developed during this time period are still included in USEPA methods. While these parameters still produce good analytical results, they do not take advantage of advances in instrumentation that enable analysis of emerging contaminants such as fuel oxygenates, and increased sample throughput.

MEPS uses a barrel insert and needle (BIN) device to reduce Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) to a micro-scale suitable for small volume samples and for the online adaptation of conventional SPE techniques. Because the SPE cartridge (BIN) is incorporated into the needle assembly of a gas-tight syringe, MEPS is also a simple field-portable SPE device that may be operated manually without need for sampling pumps or, alternatively, may be incorporated into robotic samplers. MEPS devices are of glass and stainless steel construction allowing them to be fully immersed for sampling at depth or, alternatively, used at needle depth to avoid perturbing the stream from which the sample was drawn. An extension pole allowed MEPS to be used to sample back along pipes or down inspection vents. When sampling from drainage pits and open sumps, there was minimal requirement to remove grates to gain access. An extension pole also allowed sampling from outflows that were offensive and could be readily adapted for safe sampling of..

The CUSTODION™ SPME Syringes are a series of novel solid phase micro extraction syringes that incorporate Supelco Analytical's® (Bellefonte, Pennsylvania) SPME fiber technology. The SPME syringes are fabricated with injection-molded components and the device resembles a ball-point pen. The Supelco Analytical® SPME fiber assembly is housed inside the syringe.

Semivolatile analyses using methods similar to US EPA method 8270 (1) are important in environmental laboratories worldwide. A number of acidic compounds such as benzoic acid or 2,4-dinitrophenol and strong bases such as pyridine or benzidine are active species found in the semivolatile sample set. These highly polar species are particularly susceptible to adsorption into active surfaces in the sample flow path, including the column itself. System and column inertness are critical for effective analysis of these active chemical species.

Use of a modified QuEChERS sample preparation procedure was fully evaluated for identification and quantitation of pesticides in lettuce using gas chromatography and ion trap mass spectrometry. Final results compared favorably to the reporting and detection limits offered by several worldwide agencies, demonstrating a robust and reliable solution for analyzing pesticide residues in lettuce.

The second unregulated contaminant monitoring regulation (UCMR2) program was developed to monitor US drinking water sources for currently unregulated compounds. EPA Method 527 is categorized under List 1; Assessment Monitoring in the UCMR2 program. EPA Method 527 focuses on a wide range of semi volatile organic contaminants, including pesticides that were deferred during the first UCMR, flame retardants, and pyrethroid pesticides. This application for EPA Method 527 employs SPE with analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS).

This application note describes a fast and sensitive LC–MS method using a Hypersil GOLD column on a Thermo Scientific LC–MS system for the quantitative analysis of two widespread PFCs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctansulphonate (PFOS).

Mercury pollution mainly originates from industrial activities such as chlorine production, garbage incineration and above all coal-fueled power generation. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) considers mercury as highly toxic with a pronounced accumulative and persistent character.

MEPS uses a barrel insert and needle (BIN) device to reduce Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) to a micro-scale suitable for small volume samples and for the online adaptation of conventional SPE techniques. Because the SPE cartridge (BIN) is incorporated into the needle assembly of a gas-tight syringe, MEPS is also a simple field-portable SPE device that may be operated manually without need for sampling pumps or, alternatively, may be incorporated into robotic samplers. MEPS devices are of glass and stainless steel construction allowing them to be fully immersed for sampling at depth or, alternatively, used at needle depth to avoid perturbing the stream from which the sample was drawn. An extension pole allowed MEPS to be used to sample back along pipes or down inspection vents. When sampling from drainage pits and open sumps, there was minimal requirement to remove grates to gain access. An extension pole also allowed sampling from outflows that were offensive and could be readily adapted for safe sampling of..

EPA Method 525.2 describes the procedure to determine low ppb levels of semi-volatile organic material in drinking water using solid phase extraction (SPE) or liquid-solid extraction (LSE) techniques. The City of Fort Worth, Water Department implemented an automated SPE process for the analysis of semi-volatiles by EPA Method 525.2, using the Atlantic "Certified for Automation" SPE Disk for EPA Method 525.2. Ethyl acetate, methanol, and water were used to condition the Atlantic disk prior to the extraction step. The extraction solvents used were a 1:1 mixture of methylene chloride and ethyle acetate. Extracts were then analyzed by GC–MS using a splitless injection technique.

Two of the most commonly occurring unpleasant odor-causing compounds in drinking water are geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) (Figure 1). Geosmin is produced primarily by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and actinomycete bacteria, and MIB is produced by certain species of cyanobacteria, primarily Oscillatoria. Many environmental laboratories are required to detect these compounds as low as 1–3 ppt concentration and measure quantitatively at 5 ppt.

Dionex has developed a new standard for flow-through solvent extraction which allows accelerated solvent extraction (ASE®) of matrices that have undergone acid or alkaline pretreatment or digestion. The new ASE 150 and ASE 350 systems use extraction cells and post-cell solvent pathways constructed of Dionium™ material. This pH-hardened substance resists corrosion under acidic or alkaline conditions used in standard pretreatments, widening the scope of ASE applications and significantly expanding its capabilities.

The purge-and-trap (P&T) technique for analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was pioneered in the 1970s at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) research laboratory in Cincinnati. Many of the operational parameters developed during this time period are still included in USEPA methods. While these parameters still produce good analytical results, they do not take advantage of advances in instrumentation that enable analysis of emerging contaminants such as fuel oxygenates, and increased sample throughput.

H-SRM provides excellent selectivity for accurate identification and quantification of pesticides in matrix, demonstrating high productivity for effective control at international maximum residue levels (MRLs).

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has found pharmaceuticals and personal-care products (PPCPs) containing known or suspected endocrine-disruptors in U.S. rivers. As such, it is important to use adequate techniques to help identify these compounds and possible metabolites.

This application note describes a fast and sensitive LC-MS method using a Hypersil GOLDâ„¢ column on a Thermo Scientific LC-MS system for the quantitative analysis of two widespread PFCs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctansulfonate (PFOS).

A method for trace odor components, isopropyl-methoxypyrazine (IPMP), isobutyl-methoxypyrazine (IBMP), methylisoborneol (MIB), and geosmin in drinking water involving the use of solid phase microextraction (SPME) and the SLB-5ms capillary column using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS).

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) has been used as an effective cleanup procedure for removing high molecular weight interfering molecules such as lipids, pigments, proteins, and polymers before GC or HPLC analysis. The GPC cleanup method has been extensively documented (1–3) and is also recommended in US EPA SW-846 Method 3640A. To demonstrate the efficacy of this method to extract polar and nonpolar substances by using the KNAUER Smartline GPC Cleanup Unit 6500, olive oil samples were investigated by spiking these with different types of organic pollutants, including PAHs, phthalates, phenols, and triazine.

Contamination of public buildings with PCBs used as softeners in the 1970's in sealants and wall and ceiling paints can still be detected. If certain threshold values in indoor air are exceeded the source has to be decontaminated. This requires an effective and fast determination of the PCB concentration in indoor air. Thermodesorption GC–MS is a method especially suitable for this purpose. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical substances. Although first prepared in 1864, they have been industrially manufactured since 1929. The highest production amounts worldwide were recorded in the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s. In the 1970s their use as additives for building materials was widespread because of their flame inhibiting and noise reduction properties.

Pesticides are widely used by farmers to control pests, weeds and molds that would otherwise decrease crop production. While this has significantly increased worldwide food productions, these same pesticides pose health risks to humans. The restrictions for specific pesticides differ from one country to the next and as world trade increases, the potential threat to other countries' populations increases. For this reason, pesticides and other food related allergens are currently the subjects of increasing scrutiny and regulation.