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Monitoring Pesticides in the Environment: Past, Present and Future
Oral Presentation
Prepared by S. Yang
USEPA ORCR, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (5304P), Washington, DC, 20460
Contact Information: yang.shen-yi@epa.gov; 703-308-0437
ABSTRACT
The SW-846 methods are being used by various programs, including RCRA, Superfund, TSCA, and Homeland Security. ORCR deals with complex wastes and materials that are being managed or used in many different ways (e.g., landfilling, land application, incineration, recycling, etc.). The thresholds for analytes in a waste (or a material) are calculated from risk models, vary pending on the volume and form of the waste (or material), and how it is managed (or used), therefore, the thresholds are not set values as MCLs for drinking water or NPDES permit levels for monitoring point-source discharges.
ORCR strongly supports the performance approach and follows this approach in the RCRA testing program to the extent feasible. See http://www.epa.gov/fem/approach.htm for more information about the Performance Approach. To better analyze various wastes and materials, ORCR develops sample preparation and determinative procedures for extraction, clean-up, concentration and analysis that are specific for various sample matrices. For the analysis of total and/or leachable concentrations of pesticides in a solid or a waste, as described in Chapter Two of the SW-846 Methods Compendium, analysts can select methods for extraction (3500 series), and/or leaching (1300 series). The resulted extract and/or leachate can then be cleaned (3600 series), concentrated, and analyzed (8000 series). Analysts should select and combine appropriate methods for the desired target analytes in the matrix of concern, at the level of concern, to meet project-specific data quality objectives.
ORCR has developed determinative procedures for various organic chlorine pesticides, organophosphorus-, organonitrogen-, organosulfur- pesticides, herbicides, carbamates, and its related compounds in extracts from solid and liquid matrices using GC/ECD (Method 8081, 8151), GC/AED (Method 8085), GC/FPD or NPD (Method 8141), HPLC (Method 8318) and GC/MS (Method 8270). In these GC- and HPLC- methods, the presence of compounds may be confirmed by a second column or advanced technique (e.g., GC/MS). In 2012, ORCR made available a new determinative procedure that uses GC/NICIMS (Method 8276) for the analysis of technical toxaphene and 8 environmentally significant congeners in various environmental matrices, including groundwater, soil, sediment and fish.
When having a new analytical method is necessary and resources are available, ORCR will form a focus group for the development and validation of the new method. ORCR will collaborate with scientists from inside and outside of EPA who have interest, extensive knowledge and experience in working with the study compound(s) and/or analytical technology. The validated method will then be reviewed and approved for publication for inclusion in SW-846, by the RCRA Organic Work Group.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by S. Yang
USEPA ORCR, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (5304P), Washington, DC, 20460
Contact Information: yang.shen-yi@epa.gov; 703-308-0437
ABSTRACT
The SW-846 methods are being used by various programs, including RCRA, Superfund, TSCA, and Homeland Security. ORCR deals with complex wastes and materials that are being managed or used in many different ways (e.g., landfilling, land application, incineration, recycling, etc.). The thresholds for analytes in a waste (or a material) are calculated from risk models, vary pending on the volume and form of the waste (or material), and how it is managed (or used), therefore, the thresholds are not set values as MCLs for drinking water or NPDES permit levels for monitoring point-source discharges.
ORCR strongly supports the performance approach and follows this approach in the RCRA testing program to the extent feasible. See http://www.epa.gov/fem/approach.htm for more information about the Performance Approach. To better analyze various wastes and materials, ORCR develops sample preparation and determinative procedures for extraction, clean-up, concentration and analysis that are specific for various sample matrices. For the analysis of total and/or leachable concentrations of pesticides in a solid or a waste, as described in Chapter Two of the SW-846 Methods Compendium, analysts can select methods for extraction (3500 series), and/or leaching (1300 series). The resulted extract and/or leachate can then be cleaned (3600 series), concentrated, and analyzed (8000 series). Analysts should select and combine appropriate methods for the desired target analytes in the matrix of concern, at the level of concern, to meet project-specific data quality objectives.
ORCR has developed determinative procedures for various organic chlorine pesticides, organophosphorus-, organonitrogen-, organosulfur- pesticides, herbicides, carbamates, and its related compounds in extracts from solid and liquid matrices using GC/ECD (Method 8081, 8151), GC/AED (Method 8085), GC/FPD or NPD (Method 8141), HPLC (Method 8318) and GC/MS (Method 8270). In these GC- and HPLC- methods, the presence of compounds may be confirmed by a second column or advanced technique (e.g., GC/MS). In 2012, ORCR made available a new determinative procedure that uses GC/NICIMS (Method 8276) for the analysis of technical toxaphene and 8 environmentally significant congeners in various environmental matrices, including groundwater, soil, sediment and fish.
When having a new analytical method is necessary and resources are available, ORCR will form a focus group for the development and validation of the new method. ORCR will collaborate with scientists from inside and outside of EPA who have interest, extensive knowledge and experience in working with the study compound(s) and/or analytical technology. The validated method will then be reviewed and approved for publication for inclusion in SW-846, by the RCRA Organic Work Group.