ASTM International

Standard Test Method for Determination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Waste Materials by Gas Chromatography
 N D6160

Annotation

This test method2 covers a two-tiered analytical approach to PCB screening and quantitation of liquid and solid wastes, such as oils, sludges, aqueous solutions, and other waste matrices.

Tier I is designed to screen samples rapidly for the presence of PCBs.

Tier II is used to determine the concentration of PCBs, typically in the range of from 2 to 50 mg/kg. PCB concentrations greater than 50 mg/kg are determined through analysis of sample dilutions.

This is a pattern recognition approach, which does not take into account individual congeners that might occur, such as in reaction by-products. This test method describes the use of Aroclors3 1016, 1221, 1232, 1242, 1248, 1254, 1260, 1262, and 1268, as reference standards, but others could also be included. Aroclors 1016 and 1242 have similar capillary gas chromatography (GC) patterns. Interferences or weathering are especially problematic with Aroclors 1016, 1232, and 1242 and may make distinction between the three difficult.

This test method provides sample clean up and instrumental conditions necessary for the determination of Aroclors. Gas chromatography (GC) using capillary column separation technique and electron capture detector (ECD) are described. Other detectors, such as atomic emission detector (AED) and mass spectrometry (MS), may be used if sufficient performance (for example, sensitivity) is demonstrated. Further details about the use of GC and ECD are provided in Practices E355, E697, and E1510.

Quantitative results are reported on the dry weights of waste samples.

Quantification limits will vary depending on the type of waste stream being analyzed.