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Development of a Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Method for the Analysis of the Solvent Stabilizer 1,4-Dioxane in Drinking Water
Citation:
GRIMMETT, P. AND J. W. MUNCH. Development of a Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Method for the Analysis of the Solvent Stabilizer 1,4-Dioxane in Drinking Water. Presented at 24th Annual National Environmental Monitoring Conference, Washington, DC, August 11 - 15, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this research effort is to develop analytical methods to be used to measure the occurrence of priority water pollutants in the nation's drinking water supplies. To accomplish this objective, ORD scientists must first coordinate with staff from the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) to identify the most appropriate chemical contaminants for which analytical methods need to be developed, and then ORD must develop, and demonstrate the applicability of, new or improved analytical methods, that are specific, sensitive, and practical enough for application in commercial laboratories as part of the UCMR monitoring efforts.
Description:
The solvent stabilizer 1,4-dioxane was named to the latest draft Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL3) in February 2008 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). To collect occurrence data under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR) program, a standardized method that exhibits ruggedness, accuracy, and precision is needed. Analysis of 1,4-dioxane has proved challenging because its volatility and miscibility with water make the compound a poor candidate for traditional extraction and concentration techniques. USEPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) has developed a new method, employing an activated carbon solid phase extraction, with quantitation performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Using the method parameters, 1,4-dioxane (1.0 µg/L) was recovered from groundwater, surface water, and surface water high in total organic carbon (TOC) at efficiencies of 96%, 99%, and 102%, respectively, using 500-mL drinking water samples. Relative standard deviations (RSD) were less than 6% for all drinking water sources (n = 7). Small-scale extractions using 100-mL water samples yielded comparable results. Method detection limits (MDL) calculated from fortified water samples analyzed at three laboratories were 0.012 µg/L, 0.020 µg/L, and 0.021 µg/L, with lowest concentra¬tion minimum reporting level (LCMRL) values of 0.013 µg/L, 0.036 µg/L, and 0.080 µg/L. Drinking water samples preserved with sodium bisulfate, dechlorinated with sodium sulfite, and stored under refrigeration were stable for 28 days.