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View Actual EPA Method 550 (PDF File)
EPA Method 550:Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Drinking Water By b Liquid-Liquid Extraction and HPLC with Coupled Ultraviolet and Fluorescence Detection.
Summary:A 1-L sample is serially extracted with methylene chloride using a separatory funnel. The methylene chloride extract is dried and concentrated to a volume of 1 mL. A 3-mL portion of acetonitrile is added to the extract and concentrated to 0.5-mL. The concentrations of PAHs in the extract are measured using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system equipped with ultraviolet absorption (UV) and fluorescence detectors.
Scope:This method determines certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in drinking water sources and finished drinking water.
Citation:Methods for the Determination of Organic Compounds in Drinking Water - Supplement I (EPA/600/4-90-020)
Interferences:(A) Glassware contamination: Thoroughly clean glassware, including baking or solvent rinse.(B) Solvent contamination: Use high purity solvents.(C) Extracted interferences: Interference from extracted non-target compounds, with retention times similar to target compounds, can be reduced by sample cleanup. However, matrix interferences have been observed for benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, and benzo(g,h,i)perylene.
QC Requirements:Initial demonstration of laboratory capability, analysis of laboratory reagent blanks (LRBs), laboratory fortified blanks (LFBs), laboratory fortified matrix samples, and QC samples. A MDL for each analyte must also be determined.
Maximum Holding Time:7 days; extracts within 30 days.
Media:WATER
Subcategory:Organic
Concentration:Ranges differ for each analyte depending on matrix and interferences.
Precision:Precision and accuracy values were calculated using data from seven replicate analyses of fortified reagent water. Precision and accuracy values at different concentrations and in a tap water matrix are presented in the method.
Detection:MDLs were determined using the standard deviation of replicate analyses of an analyte-fortified reagent water sample multiplied by the t-value for (# of samples - 1) degrees of freedom at the 99% confidence level. Detailed instructions for how MDLs are determined are found at 40 CFR part 136, Appendix B.
Revision Number:Jul-90