SEDL / STP / STP686-EB / STP35006S

Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water: Analysis by Liquid-Liquid Extraction and a Comparison to Purge and Trap

Reding, R
Chemists, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio

Kollman, WB
Chemists, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio

Weisner, MJ
Chemists, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio

Brass, HJ
Chemists, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio

Pages: 11    Published: Jan 1979

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Abstract

A liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) procedure is discussed in relation to the proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation of trihalomethane (THM) levels in drinking water. It consists of the extraction of THMs from aqueous samples into an organic solvent followed by electron capture gas chromatographic analysis. A comparison is made of the THM data obtained by both LLE and purge and trap analyses of duplicate samples of drinking water. Both procedures utilize aqueous THM standards and quality control samples. Given suitably purified solvents and blank water, the four THMs can be quantified at the low microgram per litre concentrations required in the proposed regulation. The stability of samples and standards, reagent purification, and the possible extension of the LLE procedure to the qualitative and quantitative measurement of other volatile organohalides are considered.