BS EN 17322:2020 - Environmental Solid Matrices

Discover the essential standard for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in environmental solid matrices. The BS EN 17322:2020 provides comprehensive guidelines and methodologies for accurately identifying and quantifying PCBs using advanced techniques such as gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC-MS) or electron-capture detection (GC-ECD).

Overview

Released on October 8, 2020, this standard is a critical resource for environmental scientists, laboratory technicians, and regulatory bodies involved in environmental monitoring and assessment. With a total of 48 pages, it offers detailed procedures and protocols to ensure precise and reliable results in the analysis of PCBs, which are hazardous environmental pollutants.

Key Features

• Standard Number: BS EN 17322:2020
• Pages: 48
• Release Date: 2020-10-08
• ISBN: 978 0 539 15649 2
• Status: Standard

Why Choose BS EN 17322:2020?

PCBs are a group of man-made organic chemicals known for their adverse effects on the environment and human health. They have been widely used in various industrial applications due to their non-flammability, chemical stability, and insulating properties. However, their persistence in the environment and potential to bioaccumulate in living organisms have led to stringent regulations and the need for accurate detection methods.

The BS EN 17322:2020 standard is designed to address these challenges by providing a robust framework for the detection and quantification of PCBs in solid matrices. It ensures that laboratories can achieve high levels of accuracy and consistency in their analyses, which is crucial for environmental protection and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Advanced Detection Techniques

The standard outlines the use of two sophisticated analytical techniques:

• Gas Chromatography-Mass Selective Detection (GC-MS): This method combines the separation capabilities of gas chromatography with the sensitive detection of mass spectrometry, allowing for the precise identification and quantification of PCBs even at trace levels.
• Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detection (GC-ECD): Known for its high sensitivity to halogenated compounds, GC-ECD is an effective technique for detecting PCBs, providing reliable results for environmental monitoring.

Comprehensive Guidance

The BS EN 17322:2020 standard offers detailed instructions on sample preparation, instrument calibration, and data interpretation. It includes guidelines for quality control and assurance, ensuring that laboratories can maintain the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in their analyses.

Applications

This standard is applicable to a wide range of environmental solid matrices, including soil, sediment, and sludge. It is an invaluable tool for environmental monitoring programs, research studies, and regulatory compliance assessments. By adhering to the protocols outlined in BS EN 17322:2020, laboratories can contribute to the protection of ecosystems and public health by accurately assessing the presence and concentration of PCBs in the environment.

Conclusion

The BS EN 17322:2020 standard is an indispensable resource for anyone involved in the analysis of environmental pollutants. Its comprehensive guidelines and advanced detection techniques make it the go-to standard for the determination of PCBs in solid matrices. By implementing this standard, laboratories can ensure the accuracy and reliability of their analyses, supporting efforts to safeguard the environment and human health.

Invest in the BS EN 17322:2020 standard today and equip your laboratory with the tools needed to meet the highest standards of environmental analysis and compliance.

BS EN 17322:2020

This standard BS EN 17322:2020 Environmental Solid Matrices. Determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) by gas chromatography. mass selective detection (GC-MS) or electron-capture detection (GC-ECD) is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.030.01 Wastes in general
• 13.030.20 Liquid wastes. Sludge
• 13.030.10 Solid wastes
• 13.080.10 Chemical characteristics of soils

This document specifies methods for quantitative determination of seven selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153 and PCB180) in soil, sludge, sediment, treated biowaste, and waste using GC-MS and GC-ECD (see Table 2).

The limit of detection depends on the determinants, the equipment used, the quality of chemicals used for the extraction of the sample and the clean-up of the extract.

Under the conditions specified in this document, lower limit of application from 1 ?g/kg (expressed as dry matter) for soils, sludge and biowaste to 10 ?g/kg (expressed as dry matter) for solid waste can be achieved. For some specific samples the limit of 10 ?g/kg cannot be reached.

Sludge, waste and treated biowaste may differ in properties, as well as in the expected contamination levels of PCB and presence of interfering substances. These differences make it impossible to describe one general procedure. This document contains decision tables based on the properties of the sample and the extraction and clean-up procedure to be used.

The method can be applied to the analysis of other PCB congeners not specified in the scope, provided suitability is proven by proper in-house validation experiments.