On July 25, 1990, the USEPA proposed to establish a drinking water standard for beryllium of 1.0 micrograms/L. The proposed standard will require water utilities to demonstrate compliance through a set of monitoring requirements. The EPA has recommended three analytical techniques that can be used to detect beryllium in drinking water below the proposed maximum contaminant level (MCL). These techniques are: Atomic Absorption, Inductively-Coupled Plasma (ICP), and ICP Mass Spectrometry. High costs of ICP Instrumentation will make atomic absorption the choice for most water utility laboratories and many private laboratories measuring trace levels of beryllium in drinking water. The current beryllium atomic absorption methods are based on the method of standard additions. Other cheaper methods for measuring beryllium are available, however, require a preconcentration procedure in order to measure beryllium at levels below the proposed MCL. The paper develops a beryllium atomic absorption method that uses a matrix modifier to eliminate chemical interferences. It also develops a beryllium preconcentration procedure which allows beryllium levels below the proposed MCL to be measured by using a colorimetric method (aluminon method).

"EPA/600/A-92/100." "Published: Proceedings of the Water Quality Technology Conference, Part I, Orlando, Florida, November 10-14, 1991, p:683-697." Includes bibliographical references. Microfiche.