www.epa.

gov 1993

Method 608.2: The Determination

of Certain Organochlorine
Pesticides in Municipal and
Industrial Wastewater
 Method 608.2
The Determination of Certain
Organochlorine
Pesticides in Municipal and
Industrial Wastewater
 Method 608.2
The Determination of Certain Organochlorine Pesticides in Municipal
and Industrial Wastewater

1. SCOPE AND APPLICATION

1.1 This method covers the determination of certain organochlorine pesticides in industrial
and municipal wastewater. The following parameters may be determined by this
method:

Parameter Storet No. CAS No.

Chlorothalonil — 1897-45-6
DCPA 39770 1861-32-1
Dichloran — 99-30-9
Methoxychlor 39480 72-43-5
Permethrin — 5264553-1

1.2 The estimated detection limit (EDL) for each parameter is listed in Table 1. The EDL was
calculated from the minimum detectable response of the electron capture detector equal
to 5 times the detector background noise assuming a 10.0-mL final extract volume of a
1-L reagent water sample and a gas chromatographic (GC) injection volume of 5 µL. The
EDL for a specific wastewater may be different depending on the nature of interferences
in the sample matrix.

1.3 This is a GC method applicable to the determination of the compounds listed above in
municipal and industrial discharges. When this method is used to analyze unfamiliar
samples for any or all of the compounds listed above, compound identifications should
be supported by at least one additional qualitative technique. Section 13 provides gas
chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) conditions appropriate for the qualitative
confirmation of compound identifications.

1.4 This method is restricted to use by or under the supervision of analysts experienced in
the operation of gas chromatographs and in the interpretation of chromatograms.

2. SUMMARY OF METHOD

2.1 Organochlorine pesticides are removed from the sample matrix by extraction with
methylene chloride. The extract is dried, exchanged into hexane, and analyzed by gas
chromatography. Column chromatography is used as necessary to eliminate interferences
which may be encountered. Measurement of the pesticides is accomplished with an
electron capture detector.

2.2 Confirmatory analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is recommended

(Section 13) when a new or undefined sample type is being analyzed if the concentration
is adequate for such determination.
Method 608.2

3. INTERFERENCES

3.1 Solvent, reagents, glassware, and other sample-processing hardware may yield discrete
artifacts and/or elevated baselines causing misinterpretation of gas chromatograms. All
of these materials must be demonstrated to be free from interferences under the
conditions of the analysis by running laboratory reagent blanks as described in Section
9.1.

3.1.1 The use of high-purity reagents and solvents helps to minimize interference
problems. Purification of solvents by distillation in all-glass systems may be
required.

3.1.2 Glassware must be scrupulously cleaned.1 Clean all glassware as soon as possible
after use by rinsing with the last solvent used in it. This should be followed by
detergent washing with hot water and rinses with tap water and reagent water.
It should then be drained dry and heated in a muffle furnace at 400°C for 15 to
30 minutes. Solvent rinses with acetone and pesticide-quality hexane may be
substituted for the heating. Volumetric ware should not be heated in a muffle
furnace. After drying and cooling, glassware should be sealed and stored in a
clean environment to prevent any accumulation of dust or other contaminants.
Store the glassware inverted or capped with aluminum foil.

3.2 Interferences coextracted from the samples will vary considerably from source to source,
depending on the diversity of the industrial complex or municipality being sampled.
While general cleanup procedures are provided as part of this method, unique samples
may require additional cleanup approaches to achieve the detection limits listed in
Table 1.

4. SAFETY

4.1 The toxicity or carcinogenicity of each reagent used in this method has not been precisely
defined; however, each chemical compound should be treated as a potential health
hazard. From this viewpoint, exposure to these chemicals must be reduced to the lowest
possible level by whatever means available. The laboratory is responsible for maintaining
a current awareness file of OSHA regulations regarding the safe handling of the
chemicals specified in this method. A reference file of material data handling sheets
should also be made available to all personnel involved in the chemical analysis.
Additional references to laboratory safety are available and have been identified2-4 for the
information of the analyst.

5. APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT

5.1 Sample containers: Narrow-mouth glass bottles, 1-L or 1-quart volume, equipped with
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-lined screw-caps. Wide-mouth glass bottles, 1-quart
volume, equipped with PTFE-lined screw-caps may also be used. Prior to use, wash
bottles and cap liners with detergent and rinse with tap and distilled water. Allow the
bottles and cap liners to air dry, then muffle the glass bottles at 400°C for 1 hour. After
cooling, rinse the cap liners with hexane, seal the bottles with aluminum foil, and store
in a dust-free environment.
 Method 608.2

5.1.1 Automatic sampler (optional): Must incorporate glass sample containers for the
collection of a minimum of 250 mL. Sample containers must be kept refrigerated
at 4°C and protected from light during compositing. If the sampler uses a
peristaltic pump, a minimum length of compressible silicone rubber tubing may
be used. Before use, however, the compressible tubing should be thoroughly
rinsed with methanol, followed by repeated rinsings with distilled water to
minimize the potential for contamination of the sample. An integrating flow
meter is required to collect flow-proportional composites.

5.2 Kuderna-Danish (K-D) glassware.

5.2.1 Synder column: Three-ball macro (Kontes K-503000-0121 or equivalent).

5.2.2 Concentrator tube: 10-mL, graduated (Kontes K-570050-1025 or equivalent) with

ground-glass stopper.

5.2.3 Evaporative flask: 500-mL (Kontes K-570001-0500 or equivalent). Attach to

concentrator tube with springs.

5.3 Gas chromatography system.

5.3.1 The gas chromatograph must be equipped with a glass-lined injection port
compatible with the detector to be used. A data system is recommended for
measuring peak areas.

5.3.1.1 Column 1: 180 cm long by 2 mm ID, glass, packed with 1.5% OV-17/
1.95% OV-210 on Chromosorb W-HP (100/120 mesh) or equivalent.

5.3.1.2 Column 2: 180 cm long by 2 mm ID, glass, packed with 4% SE-30/

6% SP-2401 on Supelcoport (100/120 mesh) or equivalent. Guidelines for
the use of alternative column packings are provided in Section 10.3.1.

5.3.1.3 Detector: Electron capture. This detector has proven effective in the
analysis of wastewaters for the parameters listed in Section 1.1 and was
used to develop the method performance statements in Section 12.
Guidelines for the use of alternative detectors are provided in
Section 10.3.1.

5.4 Chromatographic column: 400 mm long by 19 mm ID Chromaflex, equipped with

coarse-fritted bottom plate and PTFE stopcock. (Kontes K-420540-0224 or equivalent).
Chromatographic column: 300 mm long by 10 mm ID, equipped with coarse-fritted
bottom plate and PTFE stopcock (Kontes K-430540-0213 or equivalent).

5.5 Drying column: Approximately 400 mm long by 20 mm ID borosilicate glass, equipped

with coarse-fritted bottom plate.

5.6 Miscellaneous

5.6.1 Balance: Analytical, capable of accurately weighing to the nearest 0.0001 g.

Method 608.2

5.6.2 Separatory funnel: 2-L, equipped with PTFE stopcock.

5.6.3 Water bath: Heated with concentric ring cover, capable of temperature control
(±2°C). The bath should be used in a hood.

5.6.4 Standard solution storage containers: 15-mL bottles with PTFE-lined screw-caps.

5.6.5 Boiling chips: Approximately 10/40 mesh. Heat to 400°C for 30 minutes, or
perform a Soxhlet extraction overnight with methylene chloride.

6. REAGENTS AND CONSUMABLE MATERIALS

6.1 Reagents.

6.1.1 Acetone, hexane, ethanol and methylene chloride: Demonstrated to be free of

analytes.

6.1.2 Ethyl ether: Nanograde, redistilled in glass if necessary. Must be free of

peroxides as indicated by EM Quant test strips (available from Scientific Products
Co., Cat. No. P1126-8, and other suppliers). Procedures recommended for
removal of peroxides are provided with the test strips. After cleanup, 20 mL of
ethyl alcohol preservative must be added to each liter of ether.

6.1.3 Florisil: PR grade (60/100 mesh). Purchase activated at 675°C and store in dark
in glass containers with glass stoppers or foil-lined screw-caps. Before use,
activate each batch overnight at 130°C in foil-covered glass container.

6.1.4 Silica gel: Activate approximately 100 g of silica gel at 200°C for 16 hours in a
tared 500- mL Erlenmeyer flask with ground-glass stopper. Allow to cool to room
temperature, and determine the weight of activated silica gel. Deactivate by
adding 3% by weight of distilled water. Restopper the flask, and shake on a
wrist-action shaker for at least 1 hour. Allow to equilibrate for 3 or more hours
at room temperature.

6.1.5 Reagent water: Reagent water is defined as a water in which an interferent is not
observed at the method detection limit of each parameter of interest.

6.1.6 Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution (10N): Dissolve 40 g NaOH in reagent water
and dilute to 100 mL.

6.1.7 Sodium sulfate: Granular, anhydrous. Condition by heating at 400°C for 4 hours
in a shallow tray.

6.1.8 Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solution (1+1): Add a measured volume of concentrated
H2SO4 to an equal volume of reagent water.

6.2 Standard stock solutions (1.00 µg/µL): These solutions may be purchased as certified
solutions or prepared from pure standard materials using the following procedures.
 Method 608.2

6.2.1 Prepare standard stock solutions by accurately weighing about 0.0100 g of pure
material. Dissolve the material in hexane or other suitable solvent and dilute to
volume in a 10-mL volumetric flask. Larger volumes can be used at the
convenience of the analyst. If compound purity is certified at 96% or greater, the
weight can be used without correction to calculate the concentration of the
standard stock.

6.2.2 Store standard stock solutions at 4°C in 15-mL bottles equipped with PTFE-lined
screw-caps. Standard stock solutions should be checked frequently for signs of
degradation or evaporation, especially just prior to preparing calibration
standards from them.

6.2.3 Standard stock solutions must be replaced after 6 months, or sooner if comparison
with check standards indicates a problem.

7. SAMPLE COLLECTION, PRESERVATION, AND STORAGE

7.1 Collect all samples in duplicate. Grab samples must be collected in glass containers.
Conventional sampling practices5 should be followed, except that the bottle must not be
prewashed with sample before collection.

7.2 The samples must be iced or refrigerated at 4°C from the time of collection until
extraction. Chemical preservatives should not be used in the field unless more than 24
hours will elapse before extraction. If the samples will not be extracted within 48 hours
of collection, the sample should be adjusted to a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 with sodium
hydroxide or sulfuric acid.

7.3 All samples must be extracted within 7 days of collection, and analyzed within 40 days
of extraction.6

8. CALIBRATION AND STANDARDIZATION

8.1 Calibration.

8.1.1 A set of at least three calibration solutions containing the method analytes is
needed. One calibration solution should contain each analyte at a concentration
approaching but greater than the EDL (Table 1) for that compound; the other two
solutions should contain analytes at concentrations that bracket the range
expected in samples. For example, if the detection limit for a particular analyte
is 0.2 µg/L, and a sample expected to contain approximately 5 µg/L is analyzed,
standard solutions should be prepared at concentrations representing 0.3 µg/L,
5 µg/L, and 10 µg/L of the analytes.

8.1.2 To prepare a calibration solution, add an appropriate volume of a standard stock

solution to a volumetric flask and dilute to volume with hexane.

8.1.3 Starting with the standard of lowest concentration, analyze each calibration
standard according to Section 10.3.2 and tabulate peak height or area response
versus the mass of analyte injected. The results can be used to prepare a
Method 608.2

calibration curve for each compound. Alternatively, if the ratio of response to

concentration (calibration factor) is a constant over the working range (<10%
relative standard deviation), linearity through the origin can be assumed and the
average ratio or calibration factor can be used in place of a calibration curve.

8.1.4 The working calibration curve or calibration factor must be verified on each
working day by the measurement of one or more calibration standards. If the
response for any analyte varies from the predicted response by more than ±10%,
the test must be repeated using a fresh calibration standard. If the results still do
not agree, generate a new calibration curve.

8.2 Florisil standardization.

8.2.1 Florisil from different batches or sources may vary in absorptive capacity. To
standardize the amount of Florisil which may be used in the cleanup procedure
(Section 10.2.2), use of the lauric acid value 7 is suggested. The referenced
procedure determines the adsorption from hexane solution of lauric acid in
milligrams per gram of Florisil. The amount of Florisil to be used for each
column is calculated by dividing this factor into 110 and multiplying by 20 g.

9. QUALITY CONTROL

9.1 Monitoring for interferences

9.1.1 Analyze a laboratory reagent blank each time a set of samples is extracted. A
laboratory reagent blank is a 1-L aliquot of reagent water. If the reagent blank
contains a reportable level of any analyte, immediately check the entire analytical
system to locate and correct for possible interferences and repeat the test.

9.2 Assessing accuracy.

9.2.1 After every 10 samples, and preferably in the middle of each day, analyze a
laboratory control standard. Calibration standards may not be used for accuracy
assessments and the laboratory control standard may not be used for calibration
of the analytical system.

9.2.1.1 Laboratory control standard concentrate: From stock standards prepared

as described in Section 6.3, prepare a laboratory control standard
concentrate that contains each analyte of interest at a concentration of
2 µg/mL in acetone or other suitable solvent.8

9.2.1.2 Laboratory control standard: Using a pipette, add 1.00 mL of the

laboratory control standard concentrate to a 1-L aliquot of reagent water.

9.2.1.3 Analyze the laboratory control standard as described in Section 10. For
each analyte in the laboratory control standard, calculate the percent
recovery (Pi) with the equation:
 Method 608.2

Equation 1

where
Si = Analytical results from the laboratory control standard, in µg/L
Ti = Known concentration of the spike, in µg/L

9.2.2 At least annually, the laboratory should participate in formal performance

evaluation studies, where solutions of unknown concentrations are analyzed and
the performance of all participants is compared.

9.3 Assessing precision.

9.3.1 Precision assessments for this method are based upon the analysis of field
duplicates (Section 7.1). Analyze both sample bottles for at least 10% of all
samples. To the extent practical, the samples for duplication should contain
reportable levels of most of the analytes.

9.3.2 For each analyte in each duplicate pair, calculate the relative range (RRi) with the
equation:

Equation 2

where
Ri = Absolute difference between the duplicate measurements
1 X and X
2 , in µg/L

Xi = Average concentration found , in µg/L

9.3.3 Individual relative range measurements are pooled to determine average relative
range or to develop an expression of relative range as a function of concentration.

10. PROCEDURE

10.1 Sample extraction

Method 608.2

10.1.1 Mark the water meniscus on the side of the sample bottle for later determination
of sample volume. Pour the entire sample into a 2-L separatory funnel. Check
the pH of the sample with wide-range pH paper and adjust to within the range
of 5 to 9 with sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid.

10.1.2 Add 60 mL of methylene chloride to the sample bottle and shake for 30 seconds
to rinse the walls. Transfer the solvent to the separatory funnel and extract the
sample by shaking the funnel for 2 minutes with periodic venting to release vapor
pressure. Allow the organic layer to separate from the water phase for a
minimum of 10 minutes. If the emulsion interface between layers is more than
one-third the volume of the solvent layer, the analyst must employ mechanical
techniques to complete the phase separation. The optimum technique depends
on the sample, but may include stirring, filtration of the emulsion through glass
wool, or centrifugation. Collect the extract in a 250-mL Erlenmeyer flask.

10.1.3 Add an additional 60-mL volume of methylene chloride to the sample bottle and
complete the extraction procedure a second time, combining the extracts in the
Erlenmeyer flask.

10.1.4 Perform a third extraction in the same manner. Pour the combined extract
through a drying column containing about 10 cm of anhydrous sodium sulfate,
and collect the extract in a 500-mL K-D flask equipped with a 10-mL concentrator
tube. Rinse the Erlenmeyer flask and column with 20 to 30 mL of methylene
chloride to complete the quantitative transfer.

10.1.5 Add one or two clean boiling chips to the flask and attach a three-ball Snyder
column. Prewet the Snyder column by adding about 1 mL of methylene chloride
to the top. Place the K-D apparatus on a hot water bath (60 to 65°C) so that the
concentrator tube is partially immersed in the hot water and the entire lower
rounded surface of the flask is bathed in steam. Adjust the vertical position of
the apparatus and the water temperature as required to complete the
concentration in 15 to 20 minutes. At the proper rate of distillation, the balls of
the column will actively chatter but the chambers will not flood. When the
apparent volume of liquid reaches about 3 mL, remove the K-D apparatus and
allow it to drain and cool for at least 10 minutes.

10.1.6 Increase the temperature of the hot water bath to about 80 to 85°C. Momentarily
remove the Snyder column, add 50 mL of hexane and a new boiling chip, and
reattach the Snyder column. Pour about 1 mL of hexane into the top of the
Snyder column, and concentrate the solvent extract as before. Elapsed time of
concentration should be 5 to 10 minutes. When the apparent volume of liquid
reaches about 3 mL, remove the K-D apparatus, and allow it to drain at least 10
minutes while cooling. Remove the Snyder column, rinse the flask and the lower
joint into the concentrator tube with 1 to 2 mL of hexane, and adjust the volume
to 10 mL. A 5-mL syringe is recommended for this operation. Stopper the
concentrator tube, and store refrigerated if further processing will not be
performed immediately. If the extracts will be stored longer than 2 days, they
should be transferred to PTFE-sealed screw-cap bottles. If the sample extract
requires no cleanup, proceed with gas chromatographic analysis.
 Method 608.2

10.1.7 If the sample requires cleanup, the extract obtained must be divided into two
fractions. One of the fractions is eluted through Florisil for the analysis of
dicloran and DCPA. The other fraction is eluted through silica gel for the
analysis of chlorothalonil, methoxychlor, and the permethrins.

10.1.8 Determine the original sample volume by refilling the sample bottle to the mark
and transferring the liquid to a 1000-mL graduated cylinder. Record the sample
volume to the nearest 5 mL.

10.2 Cleanup and separation.

10.2.1 Cleanup procedures may not be necessary for a relatively clean sample matrix.
The cleanup procedures recommended in this method have been used for the
analysis of various clean waters and municipal effluents. The single-operator
precision and accuracy data in Table 2 were gathered using the recommended
cleanup procedures. If particular circumstances demand the use of an alternative
cleanup procedure, the analyst must determine the elution profile and
demonstrate that the recovery of each compound of interest is no less than that
recorded in Table 2.

10.2.2 Florisil column cleanup.

10.2.2.1 Add a weighed amount of Florisil, about 21 g, to a chromatographic

column. The exact weight should be determined by calibration.7 Tap
the column to settle the Florisil. Add a 1- to 2-cm layer of sodium
sulfate above the Florisil. Rinse the Florisil and sodium sulfate by
adding 60 mL of hexane to the column. Just prior to exposure of the
sodium sulfate to air, stop the draining of the hexane by closing the
stopcock on the column. Discard the eluate.

10.2.2.2 Quantitatively, add the fraction of extract chosen for the analysis of
dichloran and DCPA to the column. Drain the column into the flask,
stopping just prior to exposure of the sodium sulfate layer.

10.2.2.3 Elute the column with 200 mL of 6% ethyl ether in hexane (Fraction 1)
using a drip rate of about 5 mL/min. Remove and discard. Perform
a second elution using 200 mL of 15% ethyl ether in hexane (Fraction
2), collecting the eluant in a 500-mL K-D flask equipped with a 10-mL
concentrator tube.

10.2.2.4 Concentrate the eluate by standard K-D techniques (Section 10.1.5),

substituting hexane for methylene chloride, and using the water bath
at about 85°C. Adjust the final volumes to 10 mL with hexane.
Analyze by gas chromatography.

10.2.3 Silica gel column cleanup

10.2.3.1 Prepare silica gel columns using a glass column 300 mm long by
10 mm ID. Rinse column with hexane. Add approximately 50 mL of
Method 608.2

hexane to the empty column. Add 3.5 g of 3% deactivated silica gel

(Section 6.1.4). Pack by rotating slowly to release air bubbles. Top
with 1.5 cm of Na2SO4. Drain hexane to the top of the Na 2 SO
4 .

10.2.3.2 Add the fraction of extract chosen for the analysis of chlorothalonil,
methoxychlor, and the permethrins to the column. Open the stopcock
and allow it to drain to the surface of the sodium sulfate. Elute with
the following solutions:

Fraction 1: 25 mL of hexane
Fraction 2: 25 mL of 6% (v/v) MeCl2 in hexane
Fraction 3: 25 mL of 50% MeCl2 in hexane

10.2.3.3 Collect Fraction 3 in a 500-mL K-D flask equipped with a 10-mL

concentrator tube, and add 50 mL of hexane. Concentrate on an 85°C
water bath to 10.0 mL as described in Section 10.1.5.

10.2.4 The elution profiles obtained in these studies are listed in Tables 3 and 4 for the
convenience of the analyst. The analyst must determine the elution profiles and
demonstrate that the recovery of each compound of interest is no less than that
reported in Table 2 before the analysis of any samples utilizing these cleanup
procedures.

10.2.5 Proceed with gas chromatography.

10.3 Gas chromatographic analysis.

10.3.1 Recommended columns and detector for the gas chromatographic system are
described in Section 5.3.1. Table 1 summarizes the recommended operating
conditions for the gas chromatograph. Included in this table are estimated
retention times and detection limits that can be achieved by this method.
Examples of the separations achieved by Column 1 are shown in Figures 1 and
2. Other packed columns, chromatographic conditions, or detectors may be used
if data quality comparable to Table 2 are achieved. Capillary (open-tubular)
columns may also be used if the relative standard deviations of responses for
replicate injections are demonstrated to be less than 6% and data quality
comparable to Table 2 are achieved.

10.3.2 Inject 2 to 5 µL of the sample extract using the solvent-flush technique.9 Record
the volume injected to the nearest 0.05 µL, the total extract volume, the fraction
of total extract utilized in each cleanup scheme, and the resulting peak size in
area or peak height units.

10.3.3 The width of the retention-time window used to make identifications should be
based upon measurements of actual retention-time variations of standards over
the course of the day. Three times the standard deviation of a retention time for
a compound can be used to calculate a suggested window size; however, the
experience of the analyst should weigh heavily in the interpretation of
chromatograms.
 Method 608.2

10.3.4 If the response for the peak exceeds the working range of the system, dilute the
extract and reanalyze.

10.3.5 If the measurement of the peak response is prevented by the presence of

interferences, further cleanup is required.

11. CALCULATIONS

11.1 Determine the concentration (C) of individual compounds in the sample in micrograms
per liter with the equation:

Equation 3

where
A = Amount of material injected, in ng
Vi = Volume of extract injected, in µL
Vt = Volume of total extract, in µL
Vs = Volume of water extracted, in mL
Vc = Volume of final extract after cleanup, in µL
Vf = Volume of extract utilized for cleanup scheme, in µL

11.2 Report the results for the unknown samples in µg/L. Round off the results to the nearest
0.1 µg/L or two significant figures.

12. METHOD PERFORMANCE

12.1 Estimated detection limits (EDL) and associated chromatographic conditions are listed
in Table 1.10 The detection limits were calculated from the minimum detectable response
of the EC detector equal to 5 times the background noise, assuming a 10.0-mL final
extract volume of a 1-L sample and a GC injection of 5 µL.

12.2 Single-laboratory accuracy and precision studies were conducted by Environmental

Science and Engineering, Inc.,6 using spiked industrial wastewater samples. The results
of these studies are presented in Table 2.

13. GC/MS CONFIRMATION

13.1 It is recommended that GC/MS techniques be judiciously employed to support

qualitative identifications made with this method. The mass spectrometer should be
capable of scanning the mass range from 35 amu to a mass 50 amu above the molecular
weight of the compound. The instrument must be capable of scanning the mass range
Method 608.2

at a rate to produce at least 5 scans per peak, but not to exceed 7 scans per peak utilizing
a 70 V (nominal) electron energy in the electron impact ionization mode. A GC-to-MS
interface constructed of all glass or glass-lined materials is recommended. A computer
system should be interfaced to the mass spectrometer that allows the continuous
acquisition and storage on machine-readable media of all mass spectra obtained
throughout the duration of the chromatographic program.

13.2 Gas chromatographic columns and conditions should be selected for optimum separation
and performance. The conditions selected must be compatible with standard GC/MS
operating practices. Chromatographic tailing factors of less than 5.0 must be achieved.
The calculation of tailing factors is illustrated in Method 625.11

13.3 At the beginning of each day that confirmatory analyses are to be performed, the GC/MS
system must be checked to see that all DFTPP performance criteria are achieved.12

13.4 To confirm an identification of a compound, the background-corrected mass spectrum

of the compound must be obtained from the sample extract and compared with a mass
spectrum from a stock or calibration standard analyzed under the same chromatographic
conditions. It is recommended that at least 25 ng of material be injected into the GC/MS.
The criteria below must be met for qualitative confirmation.

13.4.1 The molecular ion and other ions that are present above 10% relative abundance
in the mass spectrum of the standard must be present in the mass spectrum of the
sample with agreement to ±10%. For example, if the relative abundance of an ion
is 30% in the mass spectrum of the standard, the allowable limits for the relative
abundance of that ion in the mass spectrum for the sample would be 20 to 40%.

13.4.2 The retention time of the compound in the sample must be within 6 seconds of
the same compound in the standard solution.

13.4.3 Compounds that have similar mass spectra can be explicitly identified by GC/MS
only on the basis of retention time data.

13.5 Where available, chemical ionization mass spectra may be employed to aid in the
qualitative identification process.

13.6 Should these MS procedures fail to provide satisfactory results, additional steps may be
taken before reanalysis. These may include the use of alternative packed or capillary GC
columns or additional cleanup.
 Method 608.2

References
1. ASTM Annual Book of Standards, Part 31, D3694, "Standard Practice for Preparation of
Sample Containers and for Preservation," American Society for Testing and Materials,
Philadelphia, PA, P. 679, 1980.

2. "Carcinogens—Working with Carcinogens," Department of Health, Education, and

Welfare, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, Publication No. 77-206, August 1977.

3. "OSHA Safety and Health Standards, General Industry" (29 CFR 1910), Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, OSHA 2206 (Revised, January 1976).

4. "Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories," American Chemical Society Publication,

Committee on Chemical Safety, 3rd Edition, 1979.

5. ASTM Annual Book of Standards, Part 31, D3370, "Standard Practice for Sampling
Water," American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, p.76 1980.

6. Test procedures for Pesticides in Wastewaters, EPA Contract Report #68-03-2897.

Unpublished report available from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental
Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio.

7. Mills, P.A. "Variation of Floricil Activity: Simple Method for Measuring Adsorbent
Capacity and Its Use in Standardizing Florisil Columns," Journal of the Association of
Official Analytical Chemists, 51, 19 (1968).

8. "Handbook for Analytical Quality Control in Water and Wastewater Laboratories,"

EPA-600/4-79-019, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory - Cincinnati, Ohio, March 1979.

9. Burke, J.A. "Gas Chromatography for Pesticide Residue Analysis; Some Practical
Aspects," Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 48, 1037 (1965).

10. "Evaluation of Ten Pesticide Methods," Contract Report #68-03-1760, Task No. 11, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory,
Cincinnati, Ohio.

11. "Methods for Organic Chemical Analysis of Municipal and Industrial Wastewater,"
EPA-600/4-82-057. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring
and Support Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio.

12. Eichelberger, J.W., Harris, L.E., and Budde, W.L. Analytical Chemistry, 46, 1912 (1975).
Method 608.2

Table 1. Gas Chromatography of Organochlorine Pesticides

Estimated
Retention Time (min) Detection
Limit
Parameter Column 1* Column 2** (µg/L)
Chlorothalonil 3.40 4.69 0.001
DCPA 4.19 5.44 0.003
Dicloran 2.23 2.62 0.002
Methoxychlor 22.35 10.85 0.04
cis-Permethrin*** 18.52 16.04 0.2
trans-Permethrin*** 20.02 17.53 0.2

*Column 1: 180 cm long by 2 mm ID, glass, packed with 1.5% OV-17/1.95% OV 210 on
Chromosorb W-HP (100/120 mesh) or equivalent; 5% methane/95% Argon carrier gas at
30 mL/min. flow rate. Column temperature is 200°C. Detector: electron capture.

**Column 2: 180 cm long by 2 mm ID, glass, packed with 4% SE-30/6% SP-2401 on Supelcoport
(100/120 mesh) or equivalent; 5% methane/95% Argon carrier gas at 60 mL/min. flow rate.
Column temperature is 200°C. Detector: electron capture.

***Column temperature is 220°C.

Table 2. Single-Laboratory Accuracy and Precision

Spike Average Standard

Metric Range Number of Percent Deviation
Parameter Type* (µg/L) Replicates Recovery (%)
Chlorothalonil 1 37.8 7 84.1 16.4
2 2,300 7 94.9 22.5
DCPA 1 16 7 77.6 25.7
2 10,540 7 89.5 11.0
Dicloran 1 37.5 7 98.6 8.4
2 21,200 7 90.8 20.3
Methoxychlor 1 24.5 7 102.4 12.4
2 2,600 7 102.2 10.2
cis-Permethrin 1 6.3 7 99.5 18.8
2 317 7 77.5 10.6
trans-Permethrin 1 5.7 7 78.8 16.1
2 297 7 88.9 19.6

*1 = Low-level industrial effluent

2 = High-level industrial effluent
 Method 608.2

Table 3. Elution Profiles for Florisil Cleanup

Percent Recovery By Fraction*

Parameter 1 2 3
DCPA 0 99.3 0
Dicloran 0 96.3 0

*Eluting solvent composition for each fraction given in Section 10.2.2.3.

Table 4. Elution Profiles for Silica Gel* Cleanup

Percent Recovery By Fraction**

Parameter 1 2 3

Chlorothalonil 0 0 93.8
Methoxychlor 0 0 93.8
cis-Permethrin 0 0 107.2
trans-Permethrin 0 0 92.5

*3% deactivated
**Eluting solvent composition for each fraction given in Sections 10.2.3.2 and 10.2.3.3.
Method 608.2
Method 608.2