VOCs & SVOCs in Drinking Water

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VOCs & SVOCs in Drinking Water

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Semivolatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) are regulated in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act in the United States; similar regulations are in place across the globe to minimize the presence of these chemicals in water. EPA has published standardized methods for the analysis of these compounds by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). Although GCMS Triple Quadrupole can be used for the analysis of these chemicals, for now, EPA methods for drinking water only allow the use of GCMS Single Quadrupole: EPA 524 and EPA 525. A significant group of chemicals within VOCs are the Trihalomethanes (THMs), one of the main two groups of Disinfection Byproducts regulated in the US. THMs are also analyze following EPA 524.

Applications

Performance Demonstration of a New GC-MS Instrument and Novel BFB Tune for Analysis of Volatile Compounds by EPA Method 524.2

Analysis of Semivolatile Organic Compounds by Single Quadrupole GCMS-QP2050 Following EPA 8270E

This application note evaluates the performance of the GCMS-QP2050 single quadrupole gas chromatography mass spectrometer for the analysis of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) listed in EPA 8270E. All compounds met the calibration criteria determined in EPA 8270E (reference 1), with an average detection limit 10 times lower than those normally reported as vial concentration.

 

Performance Demonstration of a New GC-MS Instrument and Novel BFB Tune for Analysis of Volatile Compounds by EPA Method 524.2

Performance Demonstration of a New GC-MS Instrument and Novel BFB Tune for Analysis of Volatile Compounds by EPA Method 524.2

The stability and sensitivity of the newly released Shimadzu GCMSQP2020 NX instrument and novel BFB tuning were evaluated in accordance to method EPA 524.2. Results demonstrated that BFB tune met EPA method 524.2 criteria for 30 samples over 15 hrs. To assess sensitivity, Method Detections Limits (MDLs) were calculated at two individual concentrations. At 0.25 µg/L the calculated MDL ranged from 0.020 – 0.190 µg/L, while at 0.50 µg/L the calculated MDL ranged from 0.050 to 0.790 µg/L. Overall, the study results illustrate that the GCMS-QP2020 NX passes the EPA detection limits requirement for method 524.2.

 

A Guide to the Novel Shimadzu GC-MS BFB Tuning for the Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Environmental Samples

A Guide to the Novel Shimadzu GC-MS BFB Tuning for the Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Environmental Samples

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes strict BFB tuning criteria to ensure the quality of the results when analyzing volatile compounds. Due to many challenges inherent to GCMS Purge and Trap instruments required for this analysis, several GC-MS instruments have difficulties in passing the required US EPA BFB tuning criteria or remaining stable over prolonged operations period. In this study, the performance of a novel BFB tuning algorithm was demonstrated on the latest Shimadzu GCMS-QP2020 NX. The demonstration study consisted of two phases that comprised 1) evaluating the BFB tune and 2) testing the stability of internal standards and surrogates for EPA methods 524.2 and 624/8260. The results illustrate that the BFB spectra was able to pass all EPA requirements of methods 524.2 and 624/8260 criteria for the analysis of at least 1407 samples for over 4 months.

Related Products

Purge and Trap Concentrator Sampler

Purge and Trap Concentrator Sampler

As detection limits have been pushed lower, and mass spectrometer systems more sensitive, a reliable purge and trap sampler has never been more important when analyzing for VOCs. This P&T comes equipped with everything you need to perform your environmental applications.

 

GCMS-QP2020 NX Single Quadrupole GC-MS

GCMS-QP2020 NX Single Quadrupole GC-MS

GC/MS is now a standard analytical technique used in a variety of fields. With each new development, requests for more cost-effective systems and improvements in the work-life balance of users grow. Dedicated to improving efficiency, the GCMS-QP2020NX can assist any laboratory, regardless of its analysis focus, achieve its full potential.

 

GCMS-QP2050 Single Quadrupole GC-MS

GCMS-QP2050 Single Quadrupole GC-MS

The GCMS-QP2050 with the new DuraEase ion source maximizes uptime and sensitivity while requiring minimum maintenance, which can be completed in just a few minutes and a few simple steps. New cost-effective ion source design allows customers to replace DuraEase source when needed, maintaining pristine condition. The built-in pre-rod allows only the ions to efficiently pass through, limiting contamination of the quadrupole.

 

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