SW-846 Update V 8270D - 1 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

METHOD 8270D 

 SEMIVOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

 BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROMETRY

SW-846 is not intended to be an analytical training manual. Therefore, method 

procedures are written based on the assumption that they will be performed by analysts who are 

formally trained in at least the basic principles of chemical analysis and in the use of the subject 

technology. 

In addition, SW-846 methods, with the exception of required method use for the analysis 

of method defined parameters (MDPs), are intended to be guidance methods that contain 

general information on how to perform an analytical procedure or technique, which a laboratory 

can use as a basic starting point for generating its own detailed standard operating procedure 

(SOP), either for its own general use or for a specific project application. The performance data 

included in this method are for guidance purposes only, and are not intended to be and must not 

be used as absolute quality control (QC) acceptance criteria for purposes of laboratory 

accreditation. 

1.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION 

1.1 This method is used to determine the concentration of semivolatile organic 

compounds in extracts prepared from many types of solid waste matrices, soils, air sampling 

media and water samples. Direct injection of a sample may be used in limited applications. 

The following Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) analytes have been 

determined by this method: 

Compounds CAS Noa

Appropriate Preparation Techniquesb

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Acenaphthene 83-32-9 X X X X X 

Acenaphthylene 208-96-8 X X X X X 

Acetophenone 98-86-2 X ND ND ND X 

2-Acetylaminofluorene 53-96-3 X ND ND ND X 

1-Acetyl-2-thiourea 591-08-2 LR ND ND ND LR 

Aldrin 309-00-2 X X X X X 

2-Aminoanthraquinone 117-79-3 X ND ND ND X 

Aminoazobenzene 60-09-3 X ND ND ND X 

4-Aminobiphenyl 92-67-1 X ND ND ND X 

3-Amino-9-ethylcarbazole 132-32-1 X X ND ND ND 

Anilazine 101-05-3 X ND ND ND X 

Aniline 62-53-3 X X ND X X 

o-Anisidine 90-04-0 X ND ND ND X 

Anthracene 120-12-7 X X X X X 

Aramite 140-57-8 HS ND ND ND X 

Aroclor 1016 12674-11-2 X X X X X 

Aroclor 1221 11104-28-2 X X X X X 

Aroclor 1232 11141-16-5 X X X X X 

Aroclor 1242 53469-21-9 X X X X X 

Aroclor 1248 12672-29-6 X X X X X 

Aroclor 1254 11097-69-1 X X X X X 

Aroclor 1260 11096-82-5 X X X X X 
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Compounds CAS Noa

Appropriate Preparation Techniquesb

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Azinphos-methyl 86-50-0 HS ND ND ND X 

Barban 101-27-9 LR ND ND ND LR 

Benzidine 92-87-5 CP CP CP CP CP 

Benzoic acid 65-85-0 X X ND X X 

Benzo(a)anthracene 56-55-3 X X X X X 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 205-99-2 X X X X X 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 207-08-9 X X X X X 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 191-24-2 X X X X X 

Benzo(a)pyrene 50-32-8 X X X X X 

p-Benzoquinone 106-51-4 OE ND ND ND X 

Benzyl alcohol 100-51-6 X X ND X X 

α-BHC 319-84-6 X X X X X 

β-BHC 319-85-7 X X X X X 

δ-BHC 319-86-8 X X X X X 

γ-BHC (Lindane) 58-89-9 X X X X X 

Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane 111-91-1 X X X X X 

Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether 111-44-4 X X X X X 

Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)etherc 108-60-1 X X X X X 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 117-81-7 X X X X X 

4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether 101-55-3 X X X X X 

Bromoxynil 1689-84-5 X ND ND ND X 

Butyl benzyl phthalate 85-68-7 X X X X X 

Captafol 2425-06-1 HS ND ND ND X 

Captan 133-06-2 HS ND ND ND X 

Carbaryl 63-25-2 X ND ND ND X 

Carbofuran 1563-66-2 X ND ND ND X 

Carbophenothion 786-19-6 X ND ND ND X 

Chlordane (NOS) 57-74-9 X X X X X 

Chlorfenvinphos 470-90-6 X ND ND ND X 

4-Chloroaniline 106-47-8 X ND ND ND X 

Chlorobenzilate 510-15-6 X ND ND ND X 

5-Chloro-2-methylaniline 95-79-4 X ND ND ND X 

4-Chloro-3-methylphenol 59-50-7 X X X X X 

3-(Chloromethyl)pyridine 

hydrochloride 6959-48-4 X ND ND ND X 

1-Chloronaphthalene 90-13-1 X X X X X 

2-Chloronaphthalene 91-58-7 X X X X X 

2-Chlorophenol 95-57-8 X X X X X 

4-Chloro-1,2-phenylenediamine 95-83-0 X X ND ND ND 

4-Chloro-1,3-phenylenediamine 5131-60-2 X X ND ND ND 

4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether 7005-72-3 X X X X X 

Chrysene 218-01-9 X X X X X 

Coumaphos 56-72-4 X ND ND ND X 

p-Cresidine 120-71-8 X ND ND ND X 

Crotoxyphos 7700-17-6 X ND ND ND X 

2-Cyclohexyl-4,6-dinitro-phenol 131-89-5 X ND ND ND LR 

4,4'-DDD 72-54-8 X X X X X 

4,4'-DDE 72-55-9 X X X X X 

4,4'-DDT 50-29-3 X X X X X 

Demeton-O 298-03-3 HS ND ND ND X 

Demeton-S 126-75-0 X ND ND ND X 
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Compounds CAS Noa

Appropriate Preparation Techniquesb

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Diallate (cis or trans) 2303-16-4 X ND ND ND X 

2,4-Diaminotoluene 95-80-7 DC, OE ND ND ND X 

Dibenz(a,j)acridine 224-42-0 X ND ND ND X 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 53-70-3 X X X X X 

Dibenzofuran 132-64-9 X X ND X X 

Dibenzo(a,e)pyrene 192-65-4 ND ND ND ND X 

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane 96-12-8 X X ND ND ND 

Di-n-butyl phthalate 84-74-2 X X X X X 

Dichlone 117-80-6 OE ND ND ND X 

1,2-Dichlorobenzene 95-50-1 X X X X X 

1,3-Dichlorobenzene 541-73-1 X X X X X 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 106-46-7 X X X X X 

3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 91-94-1 X X X X X 

2,4-Dichlorophenol 120-83-2 X X X X X 

2,6-Dichlorophenol 87-65-0 X ND ND ND X 

Dichlorovos 62-73-7 X ND ND ND X 

Dicrotophos 141-66-2 X ND ND ND X 

Dieldrin 60-57-1 X X X X X 

Diethyl phthalate 84-66-2 X X X X X 

Diethylstilbestrol 56-53-1 AW, OS ND ND ND X 

Diethyl sulfate 64-67-5 LR ND ND ND LR 

Dimethoate 60-51-5 HE, HS ND ND ND X 

3,3'-Dimethoxybenzidine 119-90-4 X ND ND ND LR 

Dimethylaminoazobenzene 60-11-7 X ND ND ND X 

7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene 57-97-6 CP ND ND ND CP 

3,3'-Dimethylbenzidine 119-93-7 X ND ND ND X 

α,α-Dimethylphenethylamine 122-09-8 ND ND ND ND X 

2,4-Dimethylphenol 105-67-9 X X X X X 

Dimethyl phthalate 131-11-3 X X X X X 

1,2-Dinitrobenzene 528-29-0 X ND ND ND X 

1,3-Dinitrobenzene 99-65-0 X ND ND ND X 

1,4-Dinitrobenzene 100-25-4 HE ND ND ND X 

4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol 534-52-1 X X X X X 

2,4-Dinitrophenol 51-28-5 X X X X X 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 121-14-2 X X X X X 

2,6-Dinitrotoluene 606-20-2 X X X X X 

Dinocap 39300-45-3 CP, HS ND ND ND CP 

Dinoseb 88-85-7 X ND ND ND X 

Diphenylamine 122-39-4 X X X X X 

5,5-Diphenylhydantoin 57-41-0 X ND ND ND X 

1,2-Diphenylhydrazine 122-66-7 X X X X X 

Di-n-octyl phthalate 117-84-0 X X X X X 

Disulfoton 298-04-4 X ND ND ND X 

Endosulfan I 959-98-8 X X X X X 

Endosulfan II 33213-65-9 X X X X X 

Endosulfan sulfate 1031-07-8 X X X X X 

Endrin 72-20-8 X X X X X 

Endrin aldehyde 7421-93-4 X X X X X 

Endrin ketone 53494-70-5 X X ND X X 

EPN 2104-64-5 X ND ND ND X 

Ethion 563-12-2 X ND ND ND X 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 4 Revision 5 

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Compounds CAS Noa

Appropriate Preparation Techniquesb

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Ethyl carbamate 51-79-6 DC ND ND ND X 

Ethyl methanesulfonate 62-50-0 X ND ND ND X 

Famphur 52-85-7 X ND ND ND X 

Fensulfothion 115-90-2 X ND ND ND X 

Fenthion 55-38-9 X ND ND ND X 

Fluchloralin 33245-39-5 X ND ND ND X 

Fluoranthene 206-44-0 X X X X X 

Fluorene 86-73-7 X X X X X 

2-Fluorobiphenyl (surr) 321-60-8 X X X X X 

2-Fluorophenol (surr) 367-12-4 X X X X X 

Heptachlor 76-44-8 X X X X X 

Heptachlor epoxide 1024-57-3 X X X X X 

Hexachlorobenzene 118-74-1 X X X X X 

Hexachlorobutadiene 87-68-3 X X X X X 

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 77-47-4 X X X X X 

Hexachloroethane 67-72-1 X X X X X 

Hexachlorophene 70-30-4 AW, CP ND ND ND CP 

Hexachloropropene 1888-71-7 X ND ND ND X 

Hexamethylphosphoramide 680-31-9 X ND ND ND X 

Hydroquinone 123-31-9 ND ND ND ND X 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 193-39-5 X X X X X 

Isodrin 465-73-6 X ND ND ND X 

Isophorone 78-59-1 X X X X X 

Isosafrole 120-58-1 DC ND ND ND X 

Kepone 143-50-0 X ND ND ND X 

Leptophos 21609-90-5 X ND ND ND X 

Malathion 121-75-5 HS ND ND ND X 

Maleic anhydride 108-31-6 HE ND ND ND X 

Mestranol 72-33-3 X ND ND ND X 

Methapyrilene 91-80-5 X ND ND ND X 

Methoxychlor 72-43-5 X ND ND ND X 

3-Methylcholanthrene 56-49-5 X ND ND ND X 

4,4'-Methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) 101-14-4 OE, OS ND ND ND LR 

4,4'-Methylenebis(N,N-dimethylaniline) 101-61-1 X X ND ND ND 

Methyl methanesulfonate 66-27-3 X ND ND ND X 

2-Methylnaphthalene 91-57-6 X X ND X X 

Methyl parathion 298-00-0 X ND ND ND X 

2-Methylphenol 95-48-7 X ND ND ND X 

3-Methylphenol 108-39-4 X ND ND ND X 

4-Methylphenol 106-44-5 X ND ND ND X 

Mevinphos 7786-34-7 X ND ND ND X 

Mexacarbate 315-18-4 HE, HS ND ND ND X 

Mirex 2385-85-5 X ND ND ND X 

Monocrotophos 6923-22-4 HE ND ND ND X 

Naled 300-76-5 X ND ND ND X 

Naphthalene 91-20-3 X X X X X 

1,4-Naphthoquinone 130-15-4 X ND ND ND X 

1-Naphthylamine 134-32-7 OS ND ND ND X 

2-Naphthylamine 91-59-8 X ND ND ND X 

Nicotine 54-11-5 DC ND ND ND X 
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Compounds CAS Noa

Appropriate Preparation Techniquesb

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5-Nitroacenaphthene 602-87-9 X ND ND ND X 

2-Nitroaniline 88-74-4 X X ND X X 

3-Nitroaniline 99-09-2 X X ND X X 

4-Nitroaniline 100-01-6 X X ND X X 

5-Nitro-o-anisidine 99-59-2 X ND ND ND X 

Nitrobenzene 98-95-3 X X X X X 

4-Nitrobiphenyl 92-93-3 X ND ND ND X 

Nitrofen 1836-75-5 X ND ND ND X 

2-Nitrophenol 88-75-5 X X X X X 

4-Nitrophenol 100-02-7 X X X X X 

5-Nitro-o-toluidine 99-55-8 X X ND ND X 

Nitroquinoline-1-oxide 56-57-5 X ND ND ND X 

N-Nitrosodi-n-butylamine 924-16-3 X ND ND ND X 

N-Nitrosodiethylamine 55-18-5 X ND ND ND X 

N-Nitrosodimethylamine 62-75-9 X X X X X 

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine 86-30-6 X X X X X 

N-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine 621-64-7 X X X X X 

N-Nitrosomethylethylamine 10595-95-6 X ND ND ND X 

N-Nitrosomorpholine 59-89-2 ND ND ND ND X 

N-Nitrosopiperidine 100-75-4 X ND ND ND X 

N-Nitrosopyrrolidine 930-55-2 X ND ND ND X 

Octamethyl pyrophosphoramide 152-16-9 LR ND ND ND LR 

4,4'-Oxydianiline 101-80-4 X ND ND ND X 

Parathion 56-38-2 X X ND ND X 

Pentachlorobenzene 608-93-5 X ND ND ND X 

Pentachloronitrobenzene 82-68-8 X ND ND ND X 

Pentachlorophenol 87-86-5 X X X X X 

Phenacetin 62-44-2 X ND ND ND X 

Phenanthrene 85-01-8 X X X X X 

Phenobarbital 50-06-6 X ND ND ND X 

Phenol 108-95-2 DC X X X X 

1,4-Phenylenediamine 106-50-3 X ND ND ND X 

Phorate 298-02-2 X ND ND ND X 

Phosalone 2310-17-0 HS ND ND ND X 

Phosmet 732-11-6 HS ND ND ND X 

Phosphamidon 13171-21-6 HE ND ND ND X 

Phthalic anhydride 85-44-9 CP, HE ND ND ND CP 

2-Picoline (2-Methylpyridine) 109-06-8 X X ND ND ND 

Piperonyl sulfoxide 120-62-7 X ND ND ND X 

Pronamide 23950-58-5 X ND ND ND X 

Propylthiouracil 51-52-5 LR ND ND ND LR 

Pyrene 129-00-0 X X X X X 

Resorcinol 108-46-3 DC, OE ND ND ND X 

Safrole 94-59-7 X ND ND ND X 

Strychnine 57-24-9 AW, OS ND ND ND X 

Sulfallate 95-06-7 X ND ND ND X 

Terbufos 13071-79-9 X ND ND ND X 

1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene 95-94-3 X ND ND ND X 

2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol 58-90-2 X ND ND ND X 

Tetrachlorvinphos 961-11-5 X ND ND ND X 

Tetraethyl dithiopyrophosphate 3689-24-5 X X ND ND ND 
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Compounds CAS Noa

Appropriate Preparation Techniquesb

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Tetraethyl pyrophosphate 107-49-3 X ND ND ND X 

Thionazine 297-97-2 X ND ND ND X 

Thiophenol (Benzenethiol) 108-98-5 X ND ND ND X 

Toluene diisocyanate 584-84-9 HE ND ND ND X 

o-Toluidine 95-53-4 X ND ND ND X 

Toxaphene 8001-35-2 X X X X X 

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 120-82-1 X X X X X 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 95-95-4 X X ND X X 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 88-06-2 X X X X X 

Trifluralin 1582-09-8 X ND ND ND X 

2,4,5-Trimethylaniline 137-17-7 X ND ND ND X 

Trimethyl phosphate 512-56-1 HE ND ND ND X 

1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene 99-35-4 X ND ND ND X 

Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate 126-72-7 X ND ND ND LR 

Tri-p-tolyl phosphate 78-32-0 X ND ND ND X 

O,O,O-Triethyl phosphorothioate 126-68-1 X ND ND ND X 

a

 Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry Number 

b

 See Sec. 1.2 for other acceptable preparation methods. 

c Chemical name was changed by the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) on November 

30, 2007 from Bis(2-chloroisopropyl)ether to Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)ether (common name). 

This compound is also known as 2,2’-oxybis(1-chloropropane) (CAS index name). See the link 

at http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0407.htm, Section VII for the “Revision History” and Section 

VIII, for “Synonyms” of this chemical. 

KEY TO ANALYTE LIST

 AW = Adsorption to walls of glassware during extraction and storage 

 CP = Non-reproducible chromatographic performance 

 DC = Unfavorable distribution coefficient 

 HE = Hydrolysis during extraction accelerated by acidic or basic conditions 

 HS = Hydrolysis during storage potential 

 LR = Low response 

 ND = Not determined 

 OE = Oxidation during extraction accelerated by basic conditions 

 OS = Oxidation during storage potential 

 X = Historically, adequate recovery can be obtained by this technique. However, actual 

recoveries may vary depending on the extraction efficiency, the number of 

constituents being analyzed concurrently, and the analytical instrumentation. 

1.2 In addition to the sample preparation methods listed in the above analyte list, 

Method 3535 describes a solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure that may be applied to the 

extraction of semivolatiles from toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leachates (see 

Tables 16 and 17 of this method for performance data). Method 3542 describes sample 

preparation for semivolatile organic compounds in air sampled by Method 0010 (see Table 10 of 

this method for surrogate performance data), Method 3545 describes an automated solvent 

extraction (ASE) device for semivolatiles in solids (see Table 11 of this method for performance 

data), Method 3561 describes a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) device for the extraction of 

polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from solids (see Tables 12, 13, and 14 of this 
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method for performance data), and Method 3546 provides an extraction procedure employing 

commercially available microwave equipment to extract semivolatiles while using less solvent 

and taking less time than procedures such as a Soxhlet extraction (see Tables 18 through 22 of 

this method for the applicable performance data). The tabulated data are provided for guidance 

purposes only. 

1.3 This method can be used to quantitate most neutral, acidic, and basic organic 

compounds that are soluble in methylene chloride (or other suitable solvents provided that the 

desired performance data can be generated) and are capable of being eluted, without 

derivatization, as sharp peaks from a gas chromatographic fused-silica capillary column coated 

with a slightly polar silicone. Such compounds include PAHs, chlorinated hydrocarbons and 

pesticides, phthalate esters, organophosphate esters, nitrosamines, haloethers, aldehydes, 

ethers, ketones, anilines, pyridines, quinolines, aromatic nitro compounds, and phenols, 

including nitrophenols. See Table 1 for a list of compounds and their characteristic ions that 

have been evaluated. 

In most cases, this method is not appropriate for the quantitation of multicomponent 

analytes (e.g., Aroclors, toxaphene, chlordane, etc.) because of limited sensitivity for those 

analytes. When these analytes have been identified by another technique, Method 8270 may 

be appropriate for confirmation of the identification of these analytes when concentration in the 

extract permits. Refer to Methods 8081 and 8082 for guidance on calibration and quantitation of 

multicomponent analytes such as the Aroclors, Toxaphene, and Chlordane. 

1.4 The following compounds may require special treatment when being determined by 

this method: 

1.4.1 Benzidine may be subject to oxidative losses during solvent concentration 

and its chromatographic behavior is poor. 

1.4.2 Under the alkaline conditions of the extraction step from aqueous 

matrices, α-BHC, γ-BHC, endosulfan I and II, and endrin are subject to decomposition. 

Neutral extraction should be performed if these compounds are expected to be present. 

1.4.3 Hexachlorocyclopentadiene is subject to thermal decomposition in the 

inlet of the gas chromatograph, chemical reaction in acetone solution, and photochemical 

decomposition. 

1.4.4 N-Nitrosodimethylamine is difficult to separate from the solvent under the 

chromatographic conditions described. 

1.4.5 N-Nitrosodiphenylamine decomposes in the gas chromatographic inlet 

and cannot be separated from diphenylamine. For this reason, it is acceptable to report 

the combined result for n-nitrosodiphenylamine and diphenylamine for either of these 

compounds as a combined concentration. 

1.4.6 1,2-Diphenylhydrazine is unstable even at room temperature and readily 

converts to azobenzene. Given the stability problems, it would be acceptable to calibrate 

for 1,2-diphenylhydrazine using azobenzene. Under these poor compound separation 

circumstances the results for either of these compounds should be reported as a 

combined concentration. 

1.4.7 Pentachlorophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, benzoic acid, 4,6-

dinitro-2-methylphenol, 4-chloro-3-methylphenol, 2-nitroaniline, 3-nitroaniline, 4-
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nitroaniline, and benzyl alcohol are subject to erratic chromatographic behavior, especially 

if the gas chromatograph (GC) system is contaminated with high boiling material. 

1.4.8 Pyridine may perform poorly at the GC injection port temperatures listed 

in this method. Lowering the injection port temperature may reduce the amount of 

degradation. However, the analyst must use caution in modifying the injection port 

temperature, as the performance of other analytes may be adversely affected. Therefore, 

if pyridine is to be determined in addition to other target analytes, it may be necessary to 

perform separate analyses. In addition, pyridine may be lost during the evaporative 

concentration of the sample extract. As a result, many of the extraction methods listed 

above may yield low recoveries unless great care is exercised during the concentration 

steps. For this reason, analysts may wish to consider the use of extraction techniques 

such as pressurized fluid extraction (Method 3545), microwave extraction (Method 3546), 

or supercritical fluid extraction, which involve smaller extract volumes, thereby reducing or 

eliminating the need for evaporative concentration techniques for many applications. 

1.4.9 Toluene diisocyanate rapidly hydrolyzes in water (it has a half-life of less 

than 30 min). Therefore, recoveries of this compound from aqueous matrices should not 

be expected. In addition, in solid matrices, toluene diisocyanate often reacts with alcohols 

and amines to produce urethane and ureas and consequently cannot usually coexist in a 

solution containing these materials. 

1.4.10 In addition, analytes in the list provided above are flagged when there are 

limitations caused by sample preparation and/or chromatographic problems. 

1.5 The lower limits of quantitation (LLOQ) for this method when determining an 

individual compound are approximately 660 μg/kg (wet weight) for soil/sediment samples, 1-200 

mg/kg for wastes (dependent on matrix and method of preparation), and 10 μg/L for 

groundwater samples (see Table 2). LLOQ will be proportionately higher for sample extracts 

that require dilution to avoid saturation of the detector. The lower limits of quantitation listed in

Table 2 are provided for guidance and may not always be achievable. 

1.6 Prior to employing this method, analysts are advised to consult the base method 

for each type of procedure that may be employed in the overall analysis (e.g., Methods 3500, 

3600, 5000, and 8000) for additional information on QC procedures, development of QC 

acceptance criteria, calculations, and general guidance. Analysts also should consult the 

disclaimer statement at the front of the manual and the information in Chapter Two for guidance 

on the intended flexibility in the choice of methods, apparatus, materials, reagents, and 

supplies, and on the responsibilities of the analyst for demonstrating that the techniques 

employed are appropriate for the analytes of interest, in the matrix of interest, and at the levels 

of concern. 

In addition, analysts and data users are advised that, except where explicitly specified in a 

regulation, the use of SW-846 methods is not mandatory in response to Federal testing 

requirements. The information contained in this method is provided by Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) as guidance to be used by the analyst and the 

regulated community in making judgments necessary to generate results that meet the data 

quality objectives (DQOs) for the intended application. 

1.7 Use of this method is restricted to use by, or under supervision of, personnel 

appropriately experienced and trained in the use of the GC/mass spectrometer (MS) and skilled 

in the interpretation of mass spectra. Each analyst must demonstrate the ability to generate 

acceptable results with this method. 
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2.0 SUMMARY OF METHOD 

2.1 The samples are prepared for analysis by GC/MS using the appropriate sample 

preparation (refer to Method 3500) and, if necessary, sample cleanup procedures (refer to 

Method 3600). 

2.2 The semivolatile compounds are introduced into the GC/MS by injecting the 

sample extract into a GC equipped with a narrow-bore fused-silica capillary column. The GC 

column is temperature-programmed to separate the analytes, which are then detected with an 

MS connected to the GC. 

2.3 Analytes eluted from the capillary column are introduced into the MS via a jet 

separator or a direct connection. Identification of target analytes is accomplished by comparing 

their mass spectra with the electron impact (or electron impact like) spectra of authentic 

standards. Quantitation is accomplished by comparing the response of a major (quantitation) 

ion relative to an internal standard using an appropriate calibration curve for the intended 

application. 

2.4 This method includes specific calibration and QC steps that supersede the general 

recommendations provided in Method 8000. 

3.0 DEFINITIONS 

Refer to Chapter One and the manufacturer's instructions for definitions that may be 

relevant to this procedure. 

4.0 INTERFERENCES 

4.1 Solvents, reagents, glassware, and other sample processing hardware may yield 

artifacts and/or interferences to sample analysis. All of these materials must be demonstrated 

to be free from interferences under the conditions of the analysis by analyzing method blanks. 

Specific selection of reagents and purification of solvents by distillation in all glass systems may 

be necessary. Refer to each method to be used for specific guidance on QC procedures and to 

Chapter Four for general guidance on the cleaning of glassware. Also refer to Method 8000 for 

a discussion of interferences. 

4.2 Raw gas chromatography/mass spectrometry data from all blanks, samples, and 

spikes must be evaluated for interferences. Determine if the source of interference is in the 

preparation and/or cleanup of the samples and take corrective action to eliminate the problem. 

4.3 Contamination by carryover can occur whenever high concentration and low 

concentration samples are sequentially analyzed. To reduce carryover, the sample syringe 

must be rinsed with solvent between sample injections. Whenever an unusually concentrated 

sample is encountered, it should be followed by the analysis of solvent to check for crosscontamination. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 10 Revision 5 

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5.0 SAFETY 

This method does not address all safety issues associated with its use. The laboratory is 

responsible for maintaining a safe work environment and a current awareness file of 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations regarding the safe handling 

of the chemicals listed in this method. A reference file of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) 

should be available to all personnel involved in these analyses. 

6.0 EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 

The mention of trade names or commercial products in this manual is for illustrative 

purposes only, and does not constitute an EPA endorsement or exclusive recommendation for 

use. The products and instrument settings cited in SW-846 methods represent those products 

and settings used during method development or subsequently evaluated by the Agency. 

Glassware, reagents, supplies, equipment, and settings other than those listed in this manual 

may be employed provided that method performance appropriate for the intended application 

has been demonstrated and documented. 

This section does not list common laboratory glassware (e.g., beakers and flasks). 

6.1 Gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system 

 

6.1.1 GC - An analytical system equipped with a temperature programmable 

GC suitable for splitless injection and all required accessories, including syringes, 

analytical columns, and gases. The capillary column should be directly coupled to the 

source. 

6.1.2 Column - 30 m x 0.25 mm ID (or 0.32 mm ID) 0.25, 0.5, or 1 μm film 

thickness silicone-coated fused-silica capillary column (J&W Scientific DB-5 or equivalent). 

The columns listed in this section were the columns used in developing the method. The 

listing of these columns in this method is not intended to exclude the use of other columns 

that may be developed. Laboratories may use these columns or other capillary columns 

provided that the laboratories document method performance data (e.g., chromatographic 

resolution, analyte breakdown, and sensitivity) that are appropriate for the intended 

application. 

6.1.3 Mass spectrometer 

6.1.3.1 Capable of scanning from 35 to 500 amu every 1 sec or less, 

using 70 volts (nominal) electron energy in the electron impact ionization mode. 

The MS must be capable of producing a mass spectrum for 

decafluorotriphenylphosphine (DFTPP) which meets the criteria as outlined in Sec. 

11.3.1. 

6.1.3.2 An ion trap MS may be used if it is capable of axial modulation 

to reduce ion-molecule reactions and can produce electron impact like spectra that 

match those in the EPA/National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 

Library. The MS must be capable of producing a mass spectrum for DFTPP which 

meets the criteria as outlined in Sec. 11.3.1. 
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6.1.4 GC/MS interface - Any GC-to-MS interface may be used that gives 

acceptable calibration points for each compound of interest and achieves acceptable 

tuning performance criteria. For a narrow-bore capillary column, the interface is usually 

capillary direct into the MS source. 

6.1.5 Data system - A computer system should be interfaced to the MS. The 

system must allow the continuous acquisition and storage on machine-readable media of 

all mass spectra obtained throughout the duration of the chromatographic program. The 

computer should have software that can search any gas chromatography/mass 

spectrometry data file for ions of a specific mass and that can plot such ion abundances 

versus time or scan number. This type of plot is defined as an Extracted Ion Current 

Profile (EICP). Software should also be available that allows integrating the abundances 

in any EICP between specified time or scan number limits. The most recent version of the 

EPA/National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Mass Spectral Library should 

also be available. 

6.1.6 Guard column (optional) - (J&W deactivated fused-silica, 0.25 mm ID x 6 

m, or equivalent) between the injection port and the analytical column joined with column 

connectors (Agilent Catalog No. 5062-3556, or equivalent). 

6.2 Syringe - 10 μL 

6.3 Volumetric flasks, Class A - Appropriate sizes equipped with ground-glass stoppers 

6.4 Balance - Analytical, capable of weighing 0.0001 g 

6.5 Bottles - Glass equipped with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-lined screw caps or 

crimp tops 

7.0 REAGENTS AND STANDARDS 

7.1 Reagent-grade chemicals must be used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it 

is intended that all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical 

Reagents of the American Chemical Society (ACS), where such specifications are available. 

Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently high 

purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of the determination. Reagents should be 

stored in glass to prevent the leaching of contaminants from plastic containers. 

7.2 Organic-free reagent water - All references to water in this method refer to organicfree reagent water. 

7.3 Standard solutions 

The following sections describe the preparation of stock, intermediate, and working 

standards for the compounds of interest. This discussion is provided as an example, and other 

approaches and concentrations of the target compounds may be used, as appropriate for the 

intended application. See Method 8000 for additional information on the preparation of 

calibration standards. 

7.4 Stock standard solutions (1000 mg/L) - Standard solutions can be prepared from 

pure standard materials or purchased as certified solutions. 
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7.4.1 Prepare stock standard solutions by accurately weighing about 0.0100 g 

of pure material. Dissolve the material in pesticide-quality acetone 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. When compound purity is assayed to be 96% or greater, 

the weight may be used without correction to calculate the concentration of the stock 

standard. Commercially prepared stock standards may be used at any concentration if 

they are certified by the manufacturer or by an independent source. 

7.4.2 Transfer the stock standard solutions into bottles equipped with PTFElined screw caps. Store, protected from light, at ≤6 °C or as recommended by the 

standard manufacturer. Stock standard solutions should be checked frequently for signs 

of degradation or evaporation, especially just prior to preparing calibration standards from 

them. 

7.4.3 Stock standard solutions must be replaced after one year or sooner if 

comparison with QC check samples indicates a problem. 

7.4.4 It is recommended that nitrosamine compounds be placed together in a 

separate calibration mix and not combined with other calibration mixes. When using a 

premixed certified standard, consult the manufacturer's instructions for additional 

guidance. 

7.4.5 Mixes with hydrochloride salts may contain hydrochloric acid, which can 

cause analytical difficulties. When using a premixed certified standard, consult the 

manufacturer's instructions for additional guidance. 

7.5 Internal standard solutions - The internal standards recommended are: 

1,4-dichlorobenzene-d4, naphthalene-d8, acenaphthene-d10, phenanthrene-d10, chrysene-d12, 

and perylene-d12 (see Table 5). Other compounds may be used as internal standards as long 

as the criteria in Sec. 11.3.2 are met. 

7.5.1 Dissolve 0.200 g of each compound with a small volume of carbon 

disulfide. Transfer to a 50-mL volumetric flask and dilute to volume with methylene 

chloride so that the final solvent is approximately 20% carbon disulfide. Most of the 

compounds are also soluble in small volumes of methanol, acetone, or toluene, except for 

perylene-d12. The resulting solution will contain each standard at a concentration of 4,000 

ng/μL. Each 1-mL sample extract undergoing analysis should be spiked with 10 μL of the 

internal standard solution, resulting in a concentration of 40 ng/μL of each internal 

standard. Store away from any light source at ≤6 °C when not in use (−10 °C is 

recommended). When using premixed certified solutions, store according to the 

manufacturer's documented holding time and storage temperature recommendations. 

7.5.2 If a more sensitive MS is employed to achieve lower quantitation levels, a 

more dilute internal standard solution may be required. Area counts of the internal 

standard peaks should be between 50-200% of the area of the target analytes in the midpoint calibration analysis. 

7.6 GC/MS tuning standard - A methylene chloride solution containing 50 ng/μL of 

DFTPP should be prepared. The standard should also contain 50 ng/μL each of 4,4'-DDT, 

pentachlorophenol, and benzidine to verify injection port inertness and GC column performance. 

Alternate concentrations may be used to compensate for different injection volumes if the total 

amount injected is 50 ng or less. Store away from any light source at ≤6 °C when not in use (-

10 °C is recommended). If a more sensitive MS is employed to achieve lower quantitation 

levels, a more dilute tuning solution may be necessary. When using premixed certified 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 13 Revision 5 

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solutions, store according to the manufacturer's documented holding time and storage 

temperature recommendations. 

7.7 Calibration standards - A minimum of five calibration standards should be prepared 

at different concentrations. At least one of the calibration standards should correspond to a 

sample concentration at or below that necessary to meet the DQOs of the project. The 

remaining standards should correspond to the range of concentrations found in actual samples 

but should not exceed the working range of the GC/MS system. Each standard and/or series of 

calibration standards prepared at a given concentration should contain all the desired projectspecific target analytes for which quantitation and quantitative results are to be reported by this 

method. 

7.7.1 It is the intent of EPA that all target analytes for a particular analysis be 

included in the calibration standard(s). These target analytes may not include the entire 

list of analytes (Sec. 1.1) for which the method has been demonstrated. However, the 

laboratory shall not report a quantitative result for a target analyte that was not included in 

the calibration standard(s). 

7.7.2 Each 1-mL aliquot of calibration standard should be spiked with 10 μL of 

the internal standard solution prior to analysis. All standards should be stored away from 

any light source at ≤6 °C when not in use (−10 °C is recommended), and should be freshly 

prepared once a year, or sooner if check standards indicate a problem. The calibration 

verification standard should be prepared, as necessary, and stored at ≤6 °C. When using 

premixed certified solutions, store according to the manufacturer's documented holding 

time and storage temperature recommendations. 

7.8 Surrogate standards - The recommended surrogates are: phenol-d6, 2-

fluorophenol, 2,4,6-tribromophenol, nitrobenzene-d5, 2-fluorobiphenyl, and p-terphenyl-d14. See 

Method 3500 for instructions on preparing the surrogate solutions. 

NOTE: In the presence of samples containing residual chlorine, phenol-d6 has been known to 

react to form chlorinated phenolic compounds that are not detected as the original 

spiked surrogate. Sample preservation precautions outlined in Chapter Four should be 

used when residual chlorine is known to be present in order to minimize degradation of 

deuterated phenols or any other susceptible target analyte. 

7.8.1 Surrogate standard check - Determine what the appropriate concentration 

should be for the blank extracts after all extraction, cleanup, and concentration steps. 

Inject this concentration into the GC/MS to determine recovery of surrogate standards. It 

is recommended that this check be done whenever a new surrogate spiking solution is 

prepared. 

NOTE: Method 3561 (SFE Extraction of PAHs) recommends the use of bromobenzene 

and p-quaterphenyl to better cover the range of PAHs listed in the method. 

7.8.2 If a more sensitive MS is employed to achieve lower quantitation levels, a 

more dilute surrogate solution may be necessary. 

7.9 Matrix spike and laboratory control standards (LCSs) - See Method 3500 for 

instructions on preparing the matrix spike standard. The same standard may be used as the 

LCS and the spiking solution should be the same source as used for the initial calibration 

standards to restrict the influence of standard accuracy on the determination of recovery 

through preparation and analysis. 
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7.9.1 Matrix spike check - Determine what concentration should be in the blank 

extracts after all extraction, cleanup, and concentration steps. Inject this concentration 

into the GC/MS to determine recovery. It is recommended that this check be done 

whenever a new matrix spiking solution is prepared.

7.9.2 If a more sensitive MS is employed to achieve lower quantitation levels, a 

more dilute matrix and LCS spiking solution may be necessary. 

7.9.3 Some projects may require the spiking of the specific compounds of 

interest, since the spiking compounds listed in Method 3500 would not be representative 

of the compounds of interest required for the project. When this occurs, the matrix and 

LCS spiking standards should be prepared in methanol, with each compound present at a 

concentration appropriate for the project. 

7.10 Solvents - Acetone, hexane, methylene chloride, isooctane, carbon disulfide, 

toluene, and other appropriate solvents may be used. All solvents should be pesticide quality or 

equivalent. Solvents may be degassed prior to use, if necessary. 

8.0 SAMPLE COLLECTION, PRESERVATION, AND STORAGE 

8.1 See the introductory material to Chapter Four, "Organic Analytes." 

8.2 Store the sample extracts at ≤6 °C, protected from light, in sealed vials (e.g., 

screw-cap vials or crimp-capped vials) equipped with unpierced PTFE-lined septa. 

9.0 QUALITY CONTROL 

9.1 Refer to Chapter One for guidance on quality assurance (QA) and QC protocols. 

When inconsistencies exist between QC guidelines, method-specific QC criteria take 

precedence over both technique-specific criteria and those criteria given in Chapter One, and 

technique-specific QC criteria take precedence over the criteria in Chapter One. Any effort 

involving the collection of analytical data should include development of a structured and 

systematic planning document, such as a quality assurance project plan (QAPP) or a sampling 

and analysis plan (SAP), which translates project objectives and specifications into directions for 

those that will implement the project and assess the results. Each laboratory should maintain a 

formal QA program. The laboratory should also maintain records to document the quality of the 

data generated. All data sheets and QC data should be maintained for reference or inspection.

9.2 Refer to Method 8000 for specific determinative method QC procedures. Refer to 

Method 3500 or 5000 for QC procedures to ensure the proper operation of the various sample 

preparation techniques. If an extract cleanup procedure is performed, refer to Method 3600 for 

the appropriate QC procedures. Any more specific QC procedures provided in this method will 

supersede those noted in Methods 8000, 5000, 3500, or 3600. 

9.3 QC procedures necessary to evaluate the GC system operation are found in 

Method 8000 and include evaluation of retention time windows, calibration verification and 

chromatographic analysis of samples. In addition, discussions regarding the instrument QC 

requirements listed below can be found in the referenced sections of this method: 

 9.3.1 The GC/MS must be tuned to meet the recommended DFTPP criteria 

prior to the initial calibration and for each twelve-hour period during which analyses are 

performed. See Secs. 11.3.1 and 11.4.1 for further details. 
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9.3.2 There must be an initial calibration of the GC/MS system as described in 

Sec. 11.3. In addition, the initial calibration curve should be verified immediately after 

performing the standard analyses using a second source standard (prepared using 

standards different from the calibration standards). The suggested acceptance limits for 

this initial calibration verification analysis are 70-130%. Alternative acceptance limits 

may be appropriate based on the desired project-specific DQOs. Quantitative sample 

analyses should not proceed for those analytes that fail the second source standard 

initial calibration verification. However, analyses may continue for those analytes that 

fail the criteria with an understanding these results could be used for screening purposes 

and would be considered estimated values. 

9.3.3 The GC/MS system must meet the calibration verification acceptance 

criteria in Sec. 11.4. 

9.3.4 The relative retention time (RRT) of the sample component must fall 

within the RRT window of the standard component provided in Sec. 11.6.1.

9.4 Initial demonstration of proficiency (IDP) 

Prior to implementation of a method, each laboratory must perform an IDP consisting of at 

least four replicate reference samples spiked into a clean matrix taken through the entire 

sample preparation and analysis. Whenever a significant change to instrumentation or 

procedure occurs, the laboratory must demonstrate that acceptable precision and bias can still 

be obtained by the changed conditions. Whenever new staff members are trained, an analyst 

IDP must be performed. See Method 8000 for more information on how to accomplish an IDP. 

9.4.1 Demonstration of proficiency for new analysts - Each laboratory should 

have a training program which documents that a new analyst is capable of performing the 

method, or portion of the method, for which the analyst is responsible. This demonstration 

should document that the new analyst is capable of successfully following the SOP 

established by the laboratory. 

9.5 Initially, before processing any samples, the analyst should demonstrate that all 

parts of the equipment in contact with the sample and reagents are interference-free. This is 

accomplished through the analysis of a method blank. As a continuing check, each time 

samples are extracted, cleaned up, and analyzed, a method blank must be prepared and 

analyzed for the compounds of interest as a safeguard against chronic laboratory 

contamination. If a peak is observed within the retention time window of any analyte that would 

prevent the determination of that analyte, determine the source and eliminate it, if possible, 

before processing the samples. The blanks should be carried through all stages of sample 

preparation and analysis. When new reagents or chemicals are received, the lab should 

monitor the preparation and/or analysis blanks associated with samples for any signs of 

contamination. It is not necessary to test every new batch of reagents or chemicals prior to 

sample preparation if the source shows no prior problems. However, if reagents are changed 

during a preparation batch, separate blanks need to be prepared for each set of reagents. 
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9.6 Sample QC for preparation and analysis 

The laboratory must also have procedures for documenting the effect of the matrix on 

method performance (precision, accuracy, method sensitivity). At a minimum, this should 

include the analysis of QC samples including a method blank, a matrix spike, a duplicate, and a 

LCS in each analytical batch and the addition of surrogates to each field sample and QC sample 

when surrogates are used. Any method blanks, matrix spike samples, and replicate samples 

should be subjected to the same analytical procedures (Sec. 11.0) as those used on actual 

samples. 

9.6.1 Documenting the effect of the matrix should include the analysis of at 

least one matrix spike and one duplicate unspiked sample or one matrix spike/matrix spike 

duplicate pair. The decision on whether to prepare and analyze duplicate samples or a 

matrix spike/matrix spike duplicate must be based on knowledge of the samples in the 

sample batch. If samples are expected to contain target analytes, laboratories may use a 

matrix spike and a duplicate analysis of an unspiked field sample. If samples are not 

expected to contain target analytes, then laboratories should use a matrix spike and matrix 

spike duplicate pair. Consult Method 8000 for information on developing acceptance 

criteria for the matrix spike and matrix spike duplicate. 

9.6.2 An LCS should be included with each analytical batch. The LCS consists 

of an aliquot of a clean (control) matrix similar to the sample matrix and of the same weight 

or volume. The LCS is spiked with the same analytes at the same concentrations as the 

matrix spike, when appropriate. When the results of the matrix spike analysis indicate a 

potential problem due to the sample matrix itself, the LCS results are used to verify that 

the laboratory can perform the analysis in a clean matrix. Consult Method 8000 for 

information on developing acceptance criteria for the LCS. 

9.6.3 Also see Method 8000 for the details on carrying out sample QC 

procedures for preparation and analysis. In-house method performance criteria for 

evaluating method performance should be developed using the guidance found in Method 

8000. 

9.6.4 Blanks – Before processing any samples, the analyst should demonstrate 

through the analysis of a method blank that equipment and reagents are free from 

contaminants and interferences. If a peak is found in the blank that would prevent the 

identification or bias the measurement of an analyte, the analyst should determine the 

source and eliminate it, if possible. As a continuing check, each time a batch of samples 

is extracted, cleaned up, and analyzed, and when there is a change in reagents, a method 

blank must be prepared and analyzed for the compounds of interest as a safeguard 

against chronic laboratory contamination. Method blanks, trip blanks, and other field 

blanks should be carried through all stages of sample preparation and analysis. At least 

one method blank or instrument blank must be analyzed on every instrument after 

calibration standard(s) and prior to the analysis of any samples. 

9.6.5 Blanks are generally considered to be acceptable if target analyte 

concentrations are less than one-half the LLOQ or are less than project-specific 

requirements. Blanks may contain analyte concentrations greater than acceptance limits if 

the associated samples in the batch are unaffected (i.e., targets are not present in 

samples or sample concentrations are ≥10X the blank). Other criteria may be used 

depending on the needs of the project. 

9.6.6 If an analyte of interest is found in a sample in the batch near a 

concentration confirmed in the blank (refer to Sec. 9.5.2), the presence and 
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or/concentration of that analyte should be considered suspect and may require 

qualification. Contaminants in the blank should meet most or all of the qualitative 

identifiers in Section 11.6 to be considered. Samples may require re-extraction and/or reanalysis if the blanks do not meet lab established or project specific criteria. Re-extraction 

and/or re-analysis is not necessary if the analyte concentration falls well below the action 

or regulatory limit or if the analyte is deemed not important for the project. 

9.6.7 When new reagents or chemicals are received, the lab should monitor the 

blanks associated with samples for any signs of contamination. It is not necessary to test 

every new batch of reagents or chemicals prior to sample preparation if the source shows 

no prior problems. However, if reagents are changed during a preparation batch, separate 

blanks need to be prepared for each set of reagents. 

9.6.8 Method and/or solvent blanks may also be used to check for 

contamination by carryover from a high-concentration sample into subsequent samples 

(Sec. 4.2). When analysis of such blanks is not possible, such as when an unattended 

autosampler is employed, the analyst should carefully review the results for at least the 

next sample after the high-concentration sample. If analytes in the high-concentration 

sample are not present in the subsequent sample, then lack of carryover has been 

demonstrated. If there is evidence that carryover may have occurred, then the affected 

samples should be reanalyzed. 

9.7 Surrogate recoveries 

If surrogates are used, the laboratory should evaluate surrogate recovery data from 

individual samples versus the surrogate control limits developed by the laboratory. See Method 

8000 for information on evaluating surrogate data and developing and updating surrogate limits. 

Procedures for evaluating the recoveries of multiple surrogates and the associated corrective 

actions should be defined in an approved project plan. 

9.8 The experience of the analyst performing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry 

analyses is invaluable to the success of the methods. Each day that analysis is performed, the 

calibration verification standard should be evaluated to determine if the chromatographic system 

is operating properly. Questions that should be asked are: Do the peaks look normal? Is the 

response obtained comparable to the response from previous calibrations? Careful 

examination of the standard chromatogram can indicate whether the column is still performing 

acceptably, the injector is leaking, the injector septum needs replacing, etc. When any changes 

are made to the system (e.g., the column is changed, a septum is changed), see the guidance 

in Method 8000 regarding whether recalibration of the system must take place. 

9.9 It is recommended that the laboratory adopt additional QA practices for use with 

this method. The specific practices that are most productive depend upon the needs of the 

laboratory and the nature of the samples. Whenever possible, the laboratory should analyze 

standard reference materials and participate in relevant performance evaluation studies. 

9.10 Lower Limit of Quantitation (LLOQ) 

The LLOQ is the lowest concentration at which the laboratory has demonstrated target 

analytes can be reliably measured and reported with a certain degree of confidence, which must 

be ≥ the lowest point in the calibration curve. The laboratory shall establish the LLOQ at 

concentrations where both quantitative and qualitative requirements can consistently be met 

(see Sections 9.9 and 11.6). The laboratory shall verify the LLOQ at least annually, and 

whenever significant changes are made to the preparation and/or analytical procedure, to 
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demonstrate quantitation capability at lower analyte concentration levels. The verification is 

performed by the extraction and/or analysis of an LCS (or matrix spike) at 0.5-2 times the 

established LLOQ. Additional LLOQ verifications may be useful on a project-specific basis if a 

matrix is expected to contain significant interferences at the LLOQ. The verification may be 

accomplished with either clean control material (e.g., reagent water, solvent blank, Ottawa sand, 

diatomaceous earth) or a representative sample matrix, free of target compounds. Optimally, 

the LLOQ should be less than the desired decision level or regulatory action level based on the 

stated DQOs. 

9.10.1 LLOQ Verification – The verification of LLOQs using spiked clean control 

material represents a best-case scenario because it does not evaluate the potential matrix 

effects of real-world samples. For the application of LLOQs on a project-specific basis, 

with established DQOs, a representative matrix-specific LLOQ verification may provide a 

more reliable estimate of the lower quantitation limit capabilities. 

9.10.2 The LLOQ verification (to be performed after the initial calibration) is 

prepared by spiking a clean control material with the analyte(s) of interest at 0.5-2 times 

the LLOQ concentration level(s). Alternatively, a representative sample matrix free of 

targets may be spiked with the analytes of interest at 0.5-2 times the LLOQ concentration 

levels. The LLOQ check is carried through the same preparation and analytical 

procedures as environmental samples and other QC samples. It is recommended to 

analyze the LLOQ verification on every instrument where data is reported; however, at a 

minimum, the lab should rotate the verification among similar analytical instruments such 

that all are included within 3 years. Frequently performed analyses, such as 8270D, 

should have an LLOQ check standard be verified, at minimum, once a year. 

9.10.3 Recovery of target analytes in the LLOQ verification should be within 

established in-house limits or within other such project-specific acceptance limits to 

demonstrate acceptable method performance at the LLOQ. Until the laboratory has 

sufficient data to determine acceptance limits, the LCS criteria ± 20% (i.e., lower limit 

minus 20% and upper limit plus 20%) may be used for the LLOQ acceptance criteria. This 

practice acknowledges the potential for greater uncertainty at the low end of the calibration 

curve. Where practical, historically based LLOQ acceptance criteria should be determined 

once sufficient data points have been acquired. 

9.10.4 Reporting concentrations below LLOQ - Concentrations that are below 

the established LLOQ may still be reported; however, these analytes must be qualified as 

estimated. The procedure for reporting analytes below the LLOQ should be documented 

in the laboratory’s SOP or in a project-specific plan. Analytes below the LLOQ that are 

reported should meet most or all of the qualitative identification requirements in Sec. 11. 

10.0 CALIBRATION AND STANDARDIZATION 

See Sec 11.3 for information on calibration and standardization. 

11.0 PROCEDURE 

11.1 Sample preparation 

11.1.1 Samples are normally prepared by one of the following methods prior to 

gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. 
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Matrix Methods

Air (particulates and sorbent resin) 3542 

Water (including TCLP leachates) 3510, 3520, 3535 

Soil/sediment 3540, 3541, 3545, 3546, 3550, 3560, 3561 

Waste 3540, 3541, 3545, 3546, 3550, 3560, 3561, 

3580 

11.1.2 In very limited applications, direct injection of the sample into the GC/MS 

system with a 10-μL syringe may be appropriate. The quantitation limit is very high 

(approximately 10,000 μg/L) when this procedure is used. Therefore, it is only appropriate 

where concentrations in excess of 10,000 μg/L are expected. 

11.2 Extract cleanup - Cleanup procedures may not be necessary for a relatively clean 

sample matrix, but most extracts from environmental and waste samples will require additional 

preparation before analysis. The specific cleanup procedure used will depend on the nature of 

the sample to be analyzed and the DQOs for the measurements. General guidance for sample 

extract cleanup is provided in this section and in Method 3600. 

Extracts may be cleaned up by any of the following methods prior to gas 

chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. 

Analytes of Interest Methods

Aniline and aniline derivatives 3620 

Phenols 3630, 3640, 8041a 

Phthalate esters 3610, 3620, 3640 

Nitrosamines 3610, 3620, 3640 

Organochlorine pesticides 3610, 3620, 3630, 3640, 3660 

PCBs 3620, 3630, 3660, 3665 

Nitroaromatics and cyclic ketones 3620, 3640 

PAHs 3611, 3630, 3640 

Haloethers 3620, 3640 

Chlorinated hydrocarbons 3620, 3640 

Organophosphorus pesticides 3620 

Petroleum waste 3611, 3650 

All base, neutral, and acid 

Priority pollutants 3640 

a

 Method 8041 includes a derivatization technique and a GC/electron capture detector 

(ECD) analysis, if interferences are encountered on GC/flame ionization detector (FID). 

11.3 Initial calibration 

Establish the GC/MS operating conditions, using the following recommendations as 

guidance. 

Mass range: 35-500 amu 

Scan time: ≤1 sec/scan 

Initial temperature: 40 °C, hold for 4 min 

 Temperature program: 40-320 °C at 10 °C/min 

Final temperature: 320 °C, hold until 2 min after benzo[g,h,i]perylene elutes 

Injector temperature: 250-300 °C 

Transfer line temperature: 250-300 °C 
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Source temperature: According to manufacturer's specifications 

Injector: Grob-type, splitless 

Injection volume: 1-2 μL 

Carrier gas: Hydrogen at 50 cm/sec or helium at 30 cm/sec 

Ion trap only: Set axial modulation, manifold temperature, and emission 

current to manufacturer's recommendations 

Split injection is allowed if the sensitivity of the MS is sufficient. 

11.3.1 The GC/MS system must be hardware-tuned such that injecting 50 ng or 

less of DFTPP meets the manufacturer's specified acceptance criteria or as listed in Table 

3. The tuning criteria as outlined in Table 3 were developed using quadrupole MS 

instrumentation and it is recognized that other tuning criteria may be more effective 

depending on the type of instrumentation (e.g., Time-of-Flight, Ion Trap, etc.). In these 

cases it would be appropriate to follow the manufacturer's tuning instructions or some 

other consistent tuning criteria. However, no matter which tuning criteria is selected, the 

system calibration must not begin until the tuning acceptance criteria are met with the 

sample analyses performed under the same conditions as the calibration standards. 

11.3.1.1 In the absence of specific recommendations on how to acquire 

the mass spectrum of DFTPP from the instrument manufacturer, the following 

approach should be used: Three scans (the peak apex scan and the scans 

immediately preceding and following the apex) are acquired and averaged. 

Background subtraction is required, and must be accomplished using a single scan 

acquired within 20 scans of the elution of DFTPP. The background subtraction 

should be designed only to eliminate column bleed or instrument background ions. 

Do not subtract part of the DFTPP peak or any other discrete peak that does not 

coelute with DFTPP. 

11.3.1.2 Use the DFTPP mass intensity criteria in the manufacturer's 

instructions as primary tuning acceptance criteria or those in Table 3 as default 

tuning acceptance criteria if the primary tuning criteria are not available. 

Alternatively, other documented tuning criteria may be used (e.g., Contract 

Laboratory Program (CLP) or Method 625), provided that method performance is 

not adversely affected. The analyst is always free to choose criteria that are tighter 

than those included in this method or to use other documented criteria provided 

they are used consistently throughout the initial calibration, calibration verification, 

and sample analyses. 

NOTE: All subsequent standards, samples, matrix spikes/matrix spike duplicates, 

and blanks associated with a DFTPP analysis must use identical MS 

instrument conditions. 

11.3.1.3 The GC/MS tuning standard solution should also be used to 

assess the GC column performance and injection port inertness. Degradation of 

dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) to dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) 

and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) should not exceed 20%. (See Method 

8081 for the percent breakdown calculation.) Benzidine and pentachlorophenol 

should be present at their normal responses, and should not exceed a tailing factor 

of 2 given by the following equation: 

AB

BC TailingFactor =
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where the peak is defined as follows: AC is the width at 10% height; DE is the 

height of peak and B is the height at 10% of DE. This equation compares the width 

of the back half of the peak to the width of the front half of the peak at 10% of the 

height. (See Figure 1 for an example tailing factor calculation.) 

 11.3.1.4 If degradation is excessive and/or poor chromatography is 

noted, the injection port may require cleaning. It may also be necessary to cut off 

the first 6 to 12 in. of the capillary column to remove high boiling contaminants in 

the column. The use of a guard column (Sec. 6.1.6) between the injection port and 

the analytical column may help prolong analytical column performance life. 

 11.3.2 The internal standards selected in Sec. 7.5 should permit most of the 

components of interest in a chromatogram to have retention times of 0.80-1.20 relative 

to one of the internal standards. Use the base peak ion from the specific internal 

standard as the primary ion for quantitation (see Table 1). If interferences are noted, 

use the next most intense ion as the quantitation ion (e.g., for 1,4-dichlorobenzen-d4, use 

m/z 150 for quantitation). 

 11.3.3 Analyze a consistent volume (typically 1-2 μL) of each calibration 

standard (i.e., containing the compounds for quantitation and the appropriate surrogates 

and internal standards) and tabulate the area of the primary ion against concentration for 

each target analyte (as indicated in Table 1). A set of at least five calibration standards 

is necessary (see Sec. 7.7 and Method 8000). Alternate injection volumes may be used 

if the applicable QC requirements for using this method are met. The injection volume 

must be the same for all standards and sample extracts. Figure 2 shows a 

chromatogram of a calibration standard containing base/neutral and acid analytes. 

 11.3.4 Initial calibration calculations 

 Calculate response factors (RFs) for each target analyte relative to one of the 

internal standards (see Table 4) as follows: 

 where: 

 As = Peak area (or height) of the analyte or surrogate 

 Ais = Peak area (or height) of the internal standard 

 Cs = Concentration of the analyte or surrogate, in μg/L 

 Cis = Concentration of the internal standard, in μg/L 

 11.3.4.1 Calculate the mean RF and the relative standard deviation 

(RSD) of the RFs for each target analyte using the following equations. The RSD 

should be less than or equal to 20% for each target analyte. It is also 

recommended that a minimum RF for the most common target analytes, as noted 

in Table 4, be demonstrated for each individual calibration level as a means to 

ensure that these compounds are behaving as expected. In addition, meeting the 

minimum RF criteria for the lowest calibration standard is critical in establishing 

and demonstrating the desired sensitivity. Due to the large number of compounds 

that may be analyzed by this method, some compounds will fail to meet these 

criteria. For these occasions, it is acknowledged that the failing compounds may 

not be critical to the specific project and therefore they may be used as qualified 

data or estimated values for screening purposes. The analyst should also strive to 

place more emphasis on meeting the calibration criteria for those compounds that 

is s

s is

A C

A C

RF

×

×

=
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are critical project compounds, rather than meeting the criteria for those less 

important compounds. 

 where: 

 RFi

 = RF for each of the calibration standards 

RF = mean RF for each compound from the initial calibration 

 n = Number of calibration standards, e.g., 5 

 SD = Standard deviation 

 11.3.4.2 If more than 10% of the compounds included with the initial 

calibration exceed the 20% RSD limit and do not meet the minimum correlation 

coefficient (0.99) for alternative curve fits, then the chromatographic system is 

considered too reactive for analysis to begin. Clean or replace the injector liner 

and/or capillary column, then repeat the calibration procedure beginning with Sec. 

11.3. 

 11.3.5 Evaluation of retention times - The RRT of each target analyte in each 

calibration standard should agree within 0.06 RRT units. Late-eluting target analytes 

usually have much better agreement. 

 11.3.6 Linearity of target analytes - If the RSD of any target analyte is 20% or 

less, then the relative RF is assumed to be constant over the calibration range, and the 

average relative RF may be used for quantitation (Sec. 11.7.2). 

 11.3.6.1 If the RSD of any target analyte is greater than 20%, refer to 

Method 8000 for additional calibration options. One of the options must be applied 

to GC/MS calibration in this situation, or a new initial calibration must be 

performed. The RF should not be used for compounds that have an RSD greater 

than 20% unless the concentration is reported as estimated. 

 11.3.6.2 When the RSD exceeds 20%, the plotting and visual 

inspection of a calibration curve can be a useful diagnostic tool. The inspection 

may indicate analytical problems, including errors in standard preparation, the 

presence of active sites in the chromatographic system, analytes that exhibit poor 

chromatographic behavior, etc. 

 11.3.6.3 Due to the large number of compounds that may be analyzed 

by this method, some compounds may fail to meet either the 20% RSD, minimum 

correlation coefficient criteria (0.99), or the acceptance criteria for alternative 

calibration procedures in Method 8000. Any calibration method described in 

Method 8000 may be used, but it should be used consistently. It is considered 

inappropriate once the calibration analyses are completed to select an alternative 

calibration procedure in order to pass the recommended criteria on a case-by-case 

basis. If compounds fail to meet these criteria, the associate concentrations may 

n -1

(RF RF

SD

n

i 1

∑ i

=

−

=

2

)

n

RF

meanRF RF

n

i 1

∑ i

= = =

= ×100

RF

SD RSD

Retention timeof the internal standard

Retention timeof theanalyte RRT =
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 23 Revision 5 

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still be determined but they must be reported as estimated. In order to report nondetects, it must be demonstrated that there is adequate sensitivity to detect the 

failed compounds at the applicable lower quantitation limit. 

 11.4 GC/MS calibration verification - Calibration verification consists of three steps that 

are performed at the beginning of each twelve hour analytical shift. 

 11.4.1 Prior to the analysis of samples or calibration standards, inject 50 ng or 

less of the DFTPP standard into the GC/MS system. The resultant mass spectrum for 

DFTPP must meet the criteria as outlined in Sec. 11.3.1 before sample analysis begins. 

These criteria must be demonstrated each twelve hour shift during which samples are 

analyzed. 

 11.4.2 The initial calibration function for each target analyte should be checked 

immediately after the first occurrence in the region of the middle of the calibration range 

with a standard from a source different from that used for the initial calibration. The value 

determined from the second source check should be within 30% of the expected 

concentration. An alternative recovery limit may be appropriate based on the desired 

project-specific DQOs. Quantitative sample analyses should not proceed for those 

analytes that fail the second source standard initial calibration verification. However, 

analyses may continue for those analytes that fail the criteria with an understanding that 

these results could be used for screening purposes and would be considered estimated 

values. 

 11.4.3 The initial calibration (Sec. 11.3) for each compound of interest should be 

verified once every twelve hours prior to sample analysis, using the introduction technique 

and conditions used for samples. This is accomplished by analyzing a calibration 

standard (containing all the compounds for quantitation) at a concentration either near the 

midpoint concentration for the calibrating range of the GC/MS or near the action level for 

the project. The results must be compared against the most recent initial calibration curve 

and should meet the verification acceptance criteria provided in Secs. 11.4.5 through 

11.4.7. 

NOTE: The DFTPP and calibration verification standard may be combined into a single 

 standard as long as both tuning and calibration verification acceptance criteria for 

the project can be met without interferences. 

 11.4.4 A method blank should be analyzed prior to sample analyses in order to 

ensure that the total system (i.e., introduction device, transfer lines and GC/MS system) is 

free of contaminants. If the method blank indicates contamination, then it may be 

appropriate to analyze a solvent blank to demonstrate that the contamination is not a 

result of carryover from standards or samples. See Method 8000 for information regarding 

method blank performance criteria. 

 11.4.5 Calibration verification standard criteria

 11.4.5.1 Each of the most common target analytes in the calibration 

verification standard should meet the minimum RFs as noted in Table 4. This 

criterion is particularly important when the common target analytes are also critical 

project-required compounds. This is the same check that is applied during the 

initial calibration. 

 11.4.5.2 If the minimum RFs are not met, the system should be 

evaluated, and corrective action should be taken before sample analysis begins. 
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Possible problems include standard mixture degradation, injection port inlet 

contamination, contamination at the front end of the analytical column, and active 

sites in the column or chromatographic system. 

 11.4.5.3 All target compounds of interest must be evaluated using a 

20% criterion. Use percent difference when performing the RF model calibration. 

Use percent drift when calibrating using a regression fit model. Refer to Method 

8000 for guidance on calculating percent difference and drift. 

 11.4.5.4 If the percent difference or percent drift for a compound is less 

than or equal to 20%, then the initial calibration for that compound is assumed to 

be valid. Due to the large numbers of compounds that may be analyzed by this 

method, it is expected that some compounds will fail to meet the criterion. If the 

criterion is not met (i.e., greater than 20% difference or drift) for more than 20% of 

the compounds included in the initial calibration, then corrective action must be 

taken prior to the analysis of samples. In cases where compounds fail, they may 

still be reported as non-detects if it can be demonstrated that there was adequate 

sensitivity to detect the compound at the applicable quantitation limit. For 

situations when the failed compound is present, the concentrations must be 

reported as estimated values. 

 11.4.5.5 Problems similar to those listed under initial calibration could 

affect the ability to pass the calibration verification standard analysis. If the 

problem cannot be corrected by other measures, a new initial calibration must be 

generated. The calibration verification criteria must be met before sample analysis 

begins. 

 11.4.5.6 The method of linear regression analysis has the potential for 

a significant bias to the lower portion of a calibration curve, while the relative 

percent difference and quadratic methods of calibration do not have this potential 

bias. When calculating the calibration curves using the linear regression model, a 

minimum quantitation check on the viability of the lowest calibration point should be 

performed by re-fitting the response from the low concentration calibration 

standard back into the curve (see Method 8000 for additional details). It is not 

necessary to re-analyze a low concentration standard; rather the data system can 

recalculate the concentrations as if it were an unknown sample. The recalculated 

concentration of the low calibration point should be within ± 30% of the standard's 

true concentration. Other recovery criteria may be applicable depending on the 

project's DQOs and for those situations the minimum quantitation check criteria 

should be outlined in a laboratory SOP, or a project-specific QAPP. Analytes 

which do not meet the minimum quantitation calibration re-fitting criteria should be 

considered "out of control" and corrective action such as redefining the LLOQ 

and/or reporting those "out of control" target analytes as estimated when the 

concentration is at or near the lowest calibration point may be appropriate. 

 11.4.6 Internal standard retention time - The retention times of the internal 

standards in the calibration verification standard must be evaluated immediately after or 

during data acquisition. If the absolute retention time for any internal standard changes by 

more than 30 sec from that in the mid-point standard level of the most recent initial 

calibration sequence, then the chromatographic system must be inspected for 

malfunctions and corrections must be made, as required. When corrections are made, 

reanalysis of samples analyzed while the system was malfunctioning is required. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 25 Revision 5 

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 11.4.7 Internal standard response - If the EICP area for any of the internal 

standards in the calibration verification standard changes by a factor of two (−50% to 

+100%) from that in the mid-point standard level of the most recent initial calibration 

sequence, the MS must be inspected for malfunctions and corrections must be made, as 

appropriate. When corrections are made, reanalysis of samples analyzed while the 

system was malfunctioning is required. 

 11.5 Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of samples 

 11.5.1 It is highly recommended that sample extracts be screened on a GC/FID 

or GC/PID using the same type of capillary column used in the GC/MS system. This will 

minimize contamination of the GC/MS system from unexpectedly high concentrations of 

organic compounds. 

 11.5.2 Allow the sample extract to warm to room temperature. Just prior to 

analysis, add 10 μL of the internal standard solution to the 1 mL of concentrated sample 

extract obtained from sample preparation. 

 11.5.3 Inject an aliquot of the sample extract into the GC/MS system, using the 

same operating conditions that were used for the calibration (Sec. 11.3). The volume to 

be injected should include an appropriate concentration that is within the calibration range 

of base/neutral and acid surrogates using the surrogate solution as noted in Sec. 7.8. The 

injection volume must be the same volume that was used for the calibration standards. 

 11.5.4 If the response for any quantitation ion exceeds the initial calibration 

range of the GC/MS system, the sample extract must be diluted and reanalyzed. 

Additional internal standard solution must be added to the diluted extract to maintain the 

same concentration as in the calibration standards (usually 40 ng/μL, or other 

concentrations as appropriate, if a more sensitive GC/MS system is being used). 

Secondary ion quantitation should be used only when there are sample interferences with 

the primary ion. 

NOTE: It may be a useful diagnostic tool to monitor internal standard retention times in all 

 samples, spikes, blanks, and standards to effectively check drifting, method 

performance, poor injection execution, and anticipate the need for system 

inspection and/or maintenance. Internal standard responses (area counts) should 

be monitored in all samples, spikes and blanks for similar reasons. If the EICP 

area for any of the internal standards in samples, spikes, and blanks changes by a 

factor of two (−50% to +100%) from the areas determined in the continuing 

calibration analyzed that day, corrective action should be taken. The samples, 

spikes, or blanks should be reanalyzed or the data should be qualified. 

 11.5.4.1 When ions from a compound in the sample saturate the 

detector, this analysis should be followed by the analysis of an instrument blank 

consisting of clean solvent. If the blank analysis is not free of interferences, then 

the system must be decontaminated. Sample analysis may not resume until the 

blank analysis is demonstrated to be free of interferences. Contamination from 

one sample to the next on the instrument usually takes place in the syringe. If 

adequate syringe washers are employed, then carryover from high concentration 

samples can usually be avoided. 

 11.5.4.2 All dilutions should keep the response of the major 

constituents (previously saturated peaks) in the upper half of the linear range of the 

curve. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 26 Revision 5 

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 11.5.5 The use of a selected ion monitoring (SIM) technique is acceptable for 

applications requiring quantitation limits below the normal range of electron impact mass 

spectrometry. However, SIM may provide a lesser degree of confidence in the compound 

identification, since less mass spectral information is available. Using the primary ion for 

quantitation and the secondary ions for confirmation, set up the collection groups based on 

their retention times. The selected ions are nominal ions and most compounds have small 

mass defect, usually less than 0.2 amu, in their spectra. These mass defects should be 

used in the acquisition table. The dwell time may be automatically calculated by the 

laboratory's GC/MS software or manually calculated using the following formula. The total 

scan time should be less than 1,000 msec and produce at least 5 to 10 scans per 

chromatographic peak. The start and stop times for the SIM groups are determined from 

the full scan analysis using the formula below: 

Additional guidance for performing SIM analyses, in particular for PAHs and phenol target 

analyte compounds, can be found in the most recent CLP semivolatile organic methods 

statement of work (SOW). See the SIM sections from the following CLP SOW for further 

details: EPA CLP Organics SOW (Reference 14). 

 11.6 Analyte identification 

 11.6.1 The qualitative identification of compounds determined by this method is 

based on retention time and on comparison of the sample mass spectrum, after 

background correction, with characteristic ions in a reference mass spectrum. The 

reference mass spectrum must be generated by the laboratory using the conditions of this 

method. The characteristic ions from the reference mass spectrum are defined as the 

three ions of greatest relative intensity, or any ions over 30% relative intensity, if less than 

three such ions occur in the reference spectrum. Compounds are identified when the 

following criteria are met. 

 11.6.1.1 The intensities of the characteristic ions of a compound must 

maximize in the same scan or within one scan of each other. Selection of a peak 

by a data system target compound search routine where the search is based on 

the presence of a target chromatographic peak containing ions specific for the 

target compound at a compound-specific retention time will be accepted as 

meeting this criterion. 

 11.6.1.2 The RRT of the sample component is within ± 0.06 RRT units 

of the RRT of the standard component. 

 11.6.1.3 The relative intensities of the characteristic ions agree within 

30% of the relative intensities of these ions in the reference spectrum. For 

example, an ion with an abundance of 50% in the reference spectrum, the 

corresponding abundance in a sample spectrum can range between 20% and 

80%. Use professional judgment in interpretation where interferences are 

observed. 

 11.6.1.4 Structural isomers that produce very similar mass spectra 

should be identified as individual isomers if they have sufficiently different gas 

chromatographic retention times. Sufficient gas chromatographic resolution is 

achieved if the height of the valley between two isomer peaks is less than 50% of 

TotalIons in theGroup

Scan Time(msec) Dwell Time for theGroup =
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 27 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

the average of the two peak heights. Otherwise, structural isomers are identified as 

isomeric pairs. The resolution should be verified on the mid-point concentration of 

the initial calibration as well as the laboratory designated continuing calibration 

verification level if closely eluting isomers are to be reported (e.g., 

benzo(b)fluoranthene and benzo(k)fluoranthene). 

 11.6.1.5 Identification is hampered when sample components are not 

resolved chromatographically and produce mass spectra containing ions 

contributed by more than one analyte. When gas chromatographic peaks 

obviously represent more than one sample component (i.e., a broadened peak with 

shoulder(s) or a valley between two or more maxima), appropriate selection of 

analyte spectra and background spectra is important. 

 11.6.1.6 Examination of extracted ion current profiles of appropriate 

ions can aid in the selection of spectra and in qualitative identification of 

compounds. When analytes co-elute (i.e., only one chromatographic peak is 

apparent), the identification criteria may be met, but each analyte spectrum will 

contain extraneous ions contributed by the co-eluting compound. 

 11.6.2 For samples containing components not associated with the calibration 

standards, a library search may be made for the purpose of tentative identification. The 

necessity to perform this type of identification will be determined by the purpose of the 

analyses being conducted. Data system library search routines should not use 

normalization routines that would misrepresent the library or unknown spectra when 

compared to each other. 

 For example, the RCRA permit or waste delisting requirements may require the 

reporting of non-target analytes. Only after visual comparison of sample spectra with the 

nearest library searches may the analyst assign a tentative identification. Guidelines for 

tentative identification are: 

(1) Relative intensities of major ions in the reference spectrum (i.e., ions > 10% 

of the most abundant ion) should be present in the sample spectrum. 

(2) The relative intensities of the major ions should agree within ± 30%. For 

example, an ion with an abundance of 50% in the standard spectrum must 

have a corresponding sample ion abundance between 20 and 80%. 

(3) Molecular ions present in the reference spectrum should be present in the 

sample spectrum. 

(4) Ions present in the sample spectrum but not in the reference spectrum 

should be reviewed for possible background contamination or presence of 

co-eluting compounds. 

(5) Ions present in the reference spectrum but not in the sample spectrum 

should be reviewed for possible subtraction from the sample spectrum 

because of background contamination or co-eluting peaks. Data system 

library reduction programs can sometimes create these discrepancies. 

 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 28 Revision 5 

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 11.7 Quantitation 

 11.7.1 Once a target compound has been identified, the quantitation of that 

compound will be based on the integrated abundance of the primary characteristic ion 

from the EICP. 

 11.7.1.1 It is highly recommended to use the integration produced by 

the software if the integration is correct because the software should produce more 

consistent integrations than an analyst will manually. However, manual 

integrations may be necessary when the software does not produce proper 

integrations because baseline selection is improper; the correct peak is missed; a 

coelution is integrated; the peak is partially integrated; etc. The analyst is 

responsible for ensuring that the integration is correct whether performed by the 

software or done manually. 

 11.7.1.2 Manual integrations should not be substituted for proper 

maintenance of the instrument or setup of the method (e.g., retention time updates, 

integration parameter files, etc.). The analyst should seek to minimize manual 

integration by properly maintaining the instrument, updating retention times, and 

configuring peak integration parameters. 

 11.7.2 If the RSD of a compound's RF is 20% or less, then the concentration in 

the extract may be determined using the RF from initial calibration data (Sec. 11.3.4). See 

Method 8000 for the equations describing internal standard calibration and either linear or 

non-linear calibrations. 

 11.7.3 Where applicable, the concentration of any non-target analytes identified 

in the sample (Sec. 11.6.2) should be estimated. The same formula as in Sec. 11.3.4 

should be used with the following modifications: The areas Ax and Ais should be from the 

total ion chromatograms, and the RF for the compound should be assumed to be 1. 

 11.7.4 The resulting concentration should be reported indicating that the value is 

an estimate. Use the nearest internal standard free of interferences. 

 11.7.5 Quantitation of multicomponent compounds (e.g., toxaphene, Aroclors, 

etc.) is beyond the scope of Method 8270. Normally, quantitation is performed using a 

GC/ECD, for example by Methods 8081 or 8082. However, this method (8270) may be 

used to confirm the identification of these compounds, when the concentrations are at 

least 10 ng/μL in the concentrated sample extract. 

 11.7.6 Quantitation of multicomponent parameters such as diesel range organics 

(DROs) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) using the Method 8270 recommended 

internal standard quantitation technique is beyond the scope of this method. Typically, 

analyses for these parameters are performed using GC/FID or GC with a MS detector 

capability that is available with Method 8015. 

 11.7.7 Structural isomers that produce very similar mass spectra should be 

quantitated as individual isomers if they have sufficiently different gas chromatographic 

retention times. Sufficient gas chromatographic resolution is achieved if the height of the 

valley between two isomer peaks is less than 50% of the average of the two peak heights. 

Otherwise, structural isomers are identified as isomeric pairs. The resolution should be 

verified on the mid-point concentration of the initial calibration as well as the laboratory 

designated continuing calibration verification level if closely eluting isomers are to be 

reported (e.g., benzo(b)fluoranthene and benzo(k)fluoranthene). 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 29 Revision 5 

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12.0 DATA ANALYSIS AND CALCULATIONS 

 See Sec. 11.7 and Method 8000 for information on data analysis and calculations. 

13.0 METHOD PERFORMANCE 

 13.1 Performance data and related information are provided in SW-846 methods only as 

examples and guidance. The data do not represent required performance criteria for users of 

the methods. Instead, performance criteria should be developed on a project-specific basis, 

and the laboratory should establish in-house QC performance criteria for the application of this 

method. These performance data are not intended to be and must not be used as absolute QC 

acceptance criteria for purposes of laboratory accreditation. 

 13.2 Single laboratory initial demonstration of capability data were generated from five 

replicate measurements using a modified continuous liquid-liquid extractor (Method 3520) with 

hydrophobic membrane. In this case only a single acid pH extraction was performed using the 

CLP calibration criteria and the applicable CLP target analytes. These data are presented in 

Table 6. Laboratories should generate their own acceptance criteria depending on the 

extraction and instrument conditions. See Method 8000 for more detailed guidance. 

 13.3 Chromatograms from calibration standards analyzed with Day 0 and Day 7 

samples were compared to detect possible deterioration of gas chromatographic performance. 

These recoveries (using Method 3510 extraction) are presented in Table 7. These data are 

provided for guidance purposes only. 

 13.4 Method performance data using Method 3541 (i.e., automated Soxhlet extraction) 

are presented in Tables 8 and 9. Single laboratory accuracy and precision data were obtained 

for semivolatile organics in a clay soil by spiking at a concentration of 6 mg/kg for each 

compound. The spiking solution was mixed into the soil during addition and then allowed to 

equilibrate for approximately one hour prior to extraction. The spiked samples were then 

extracted by Method 3541 (Automated Soxhlet). Three extractions were performed and each 

extract was analyzed by GC/MS following Method 8270. The low recovery of the more volatile 

compounds is probably due to volatilization losses during equilibration. These data as listed 

were taken from Reference 7 and are provided for guidance purposes only. 

 13.5 Surrogate precision and accuracy data are presented in Table 10 from a field 

dynamic spiking study based on air sampling by Method 0010. The trapping media were 

prepared for analysis by Method 3542 and subsequently analyzed by this method (i.e., 8270). 

These data are provided for guidance purposes only.

 13.6 Single laboratory precision and bias data using Method 3545 (i.e., pressurized fluid 

extraction) for semivolatile organic compounds are presented in Table 11. The samples were 

conditioned spiked samples prepared and certified by a commercial supplier that contained 57 

semivolatile organics at three concentrations (i.e., 250, 2500, and 12,500 μg/kg) on three types 

of soil (i.e, clay, loam, and sand). Spiked samples were extracted both by the Dionex ASE 

system and by the Perstorp Environmental SoxtecTM (i.e., automated Soxhlet). The data in 

Table 11 represent seven replicate extractions and analyses for each individual sample and 

were taken from Reference 9. The average recoveries from the three matrices for all analytes 

and all replicates relative to the automated Soxhlet data are as follows: clay 96.8%, loam 

98.7% and sand 102.1%. The average recoveries from the three concentrations also relative to 

the automated Soxhlet data are as follows: low – 101.2%, mid – 97.2% and high – 99.2%. 

These data are provided for guidance purposes only.
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 30 Revision 5 

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 13.7 Single laboratory precision and bias data using Method 3561 (i.e., SFE extraction 

of PAHs with a variable restrictor and solid trapping material) were obtained for the method 

analytes by the extraction of two certified reference materials (i.e., EC-1, a lake sediment from 

Environment Canada and HS-3, a marine sediment from the National Science and Engineering 

Research Council of Canada, both naturally contaminated with PAHs). The SFE instrument 

used for these extractions was a Hewlett-Packard Model 7680. Analysis was by GC/MS. 

Average recoveries from six replicate extractions ranged from 85 to 148%, with an overall 

average of 100%, based on the certified value (or a Soxhlet value if a certified value was 

unavailable for a specific analyte) for the lake sediment. Average recoveries from three 

replicate extractions ranged from 73 to 133%, with an overall average of 92%, based on the 

certified value for the marine sediment. The data are found in Tables 12 and 13 and were taken 

from Reference 10. These data are provided for guidance purposes only. 

 13.8 Single laboratory precision and accuracy using Method 3561 (i.e., SFE extraction 

of PAHs with a fixed restrictor and liquid trapping) were obtained for twelve of the method 

analytes by the extraction of a certified reference material (i.e., a soil naturally contaminated 

with PAHs). The SFE instrument used for these extractions was a Dionex Model 703-M. 

Analysis was by GC/MS. Average recoveries from four replicate extractions ranged from 60 to 

122%, with an overall average of 89%, based on the certified value. The instrument conditions 

that were utilized to extract a 3.4 g sample were as follows: Pressure - 300 atm; time - 60 min; 

extraction fluid - CO2; modifier - 10% 1:1 (v/v) methanol/methylene chloride; Oven temperature - 

80 °C; Restrictor temperature - 120 °C; and, trapping fluid - chloroform (methylene chloride has 

also been used). The data are found in Table 14 and were taken from Reference 11. These 

data are provided for guidance purposes only. 

 13.9 Tables 15 and 16 contain single-laboratory precision and accuracy data for solidphase extraction of TCLP buffer solutions spiked at two levels and extracted using Method 

3535. These data are provided for guidance purposes only. 

 13.10 Table 17 contains multiple-laboratory data for solid-phase extraction of spiked 

TCLP soil leachates extracted using Method 3535. These data are provided for guidance 

purposes only. 

 13.11 Tables 18 through 22 contain single-laboratory PAH recovery data for microwave 

extraction of contaminated soils and standard reference materials using Method 3546. These 

data are provided for guidance purposes only. 

14.0 POLLUTION PREVENTION 

 14.1 Pollution prevention encompasses any technique that reduces or eliminates the 

quantity and/or toxicity of waste at the point of generation. Numerous opportunities for pollution 

prevention exist in laboratory operations. The EPA has established a preferred hierarchy of 

environmental management techniques that places pollution prevention as the management 

option of first choice. Whenever feasible, laboratory personnel should use pollution prevention 

techniques to address their waste generation. When wastes cannot be feasibly reduced at the 

source, the Agency recommends recycling as the next best option. 

14.2 For information about pollution prevention that may be applicable to laboratories 

and research institutions consult Less is Better: Laboratory Chemical Management for Waste 

Reduction, a free publication available from the ACS, Committee on Chemical Safety, 

http://portal.acs.org/portal/fileFetch/C/WPCP_012290/pdf/WPCP_012290.pdf. 

 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 31 Revision 5 

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15.0 WASTE MANAGEMENT 

 The EPA requires that laboratory waste management practices be conducted consistent 

with all applicable rules and regulations. The Agency urges laboratories to protect the air, 

water, and land by minimizing and controlling all releases from hoods and bench operations, 

complying with the letter and spirit of any sewer discharge permits and regulations, and by 

complying with all solid and hazardous waste regulations, particularly the hazardous waste 

identification rules and land disposal restrictions. For further information on waste 

management, consult The Waste Management Manual for Laboratory Personnel available from 

the ACS at the web address listed in Sec. 14.2. 

16.0 REFERENCES 

1. J. W. Eichelberger, L. E. Harris, and W. L. Budde, "Reference Compound to Calibrate Ion 

Abundance Measurement in Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Systems," 

Analytical Chemistry, 47, 995-1000, 1975. 

2. P. Olynk, W. L. Budde, and J. W. Eichelberger, "Method Detection Limit for Methods 624 

and 625," unpublished report, October 1980. 

3. "Interlaboratory Method Study for EPA Method 625 - Base/Neutrals, Acids, and 

Pesticides," Final Report for EPA Contract 68-03-3102. 

4. J. A. Burke, "Gas Chromatography for Pesticide Residue Analysis: Some Practical 

Aspects," Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), 48, 1037, 

1965. 

5. S. V. Lucas, R. A. Kornfeld, "GC-MS Suitability Testing of RCRA Appendix VIII and 

Michigan List Analytes," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring 

and Support Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH 45268, Contract No. 68-03-3224, February 20, 

1987. 

6. T. M. Engel, R. A. Kornfeld, J. S. Warner, and K. D. Andrews, "Screening of Semivolatile 

Organic Compounds for Extractability and Aqueous Stability by SW-846, Method 3510," 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory, 

Cincinnati, OH 45268, Contract 68-03-3224, June 5, 1987. 

7. V. Lopez-Avila (W. Beckert, Project Officer), "Development of a Soxtec Extraction 

Procedure for Extraction of Organic Compounds from Soils and Sediments," U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Las 

Vegas, NV, EPA 600/X-91/140, October 1991. 

8. J. Bursey, R. Merrill, R. McAllister, and J. McGaughey, "Laboratory Validation of VOST 

and SemiVOST for Halogenated Hydrocarbons from the Clean Air Act Amendments List," 

Vol. 1 and 2, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 600/R-93/123a and b, (NTIS PB 

93-227163 and 93-27171), Research Triangle Park, NC, July 1993. 

9. B. Richter, J. Ezzell, and D. Felix, "Single Laboratory Method Validation Report: 

Extraction of Target Compound List/Priority Pollutant List BNAs and Pesticides using 

Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) with Analytical Validation by GC/MS and GC/ECD," 

Document 101124, Dionex Corporation, Salt Lake City, UT, June 16, 1994. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 32 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

10. H. B. Lee, T. E. Peart, R. L. Hong-You, and D. R. Gere, "Supercritical Carbon Diozide 

Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Sediments," J. Chromatography, A, 

653, 83-91 (1993). 

11. S. Warner, "SFE Extraction of PNAs from Solid Matrices Using the Dionex 703M SFE 

Extractor and a Liquid Trap," EPA Region III, Central Regional Laboratory, 839 Bestgate 

Road, Annapolis, MD 21401, December 12, 1994. 

12. C. Markell, "3M Data Submission to EPA," letter to B. Lesnik, June 27, 1995. 

13. U.S. EPA Method 525.2, "Determination of Organic Compounds in Drinking Water by 

Liquid-Solid Extraction and Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry," 

Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, US 

EPA, Cincinnati, OH, Revision 2.0, March 1995. 

14. USEPA, Superfund Analytical Services/Contract Laboratory Program (CLP), Multi-Media, 

Multi-Concentration Organics Analysis, SOM01.X, Exhibit D - Analytical Methods, 

"Analytical Method for the Analysis of Semivolatile Organic Compounds," November, 

2003. 

17.0 TABLES, DIAGRAMS, FLOW CHARTS, AND VALIDATION DATA 

 The following pages contain the tables and figures referenced by this method. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 33 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 1 

CHARACTERISTIC IONS FOR SEMIVOLATILE COMPOUNDS IN APPROXIMATE 

RETENTION TIME ORDER a

Compound Primary Ion Secondary Ion(s) 

2-Picoline 93 66,92 

Aniline 93 66,65 

Phenol 94 65,66 

Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether 93 63,95 

2-Chlorophenol 128 64,130 

1,3-Dichlorobenzene 146 148,111 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene-d4 (IS) 152 150,115 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 146 148,111 

Benzyl alcohol 108 79,77 

1,2-Dichlorobenzene 146 148,111 

N-Nitrosomethylethylamine 88 42,43,56 

Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)ether 45 77,121 

Ethyl carbamate 62 44,45,74 

Thiophenol (Benzenethiol) 110 66,109,84 

Methyl methanesulfonate 80 79,65,95 

N-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine 70 42,101,130 

Hexachloroethane 117 201,199 

Maleic anhydride 54 98,53,44 

Nitrobenzene 77 123,65 

Isophorone 82 95,138 

N-Nitrosodiethylamine 102 42,57,44,56 

2-Nitrophenol 139 109,65 

2,4-Dimethylphenol 122 107,121 

p-Benzoquinone 108 54,82,80 

Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane 93 95,123 

Benzoic acid 122 105,77 

2,4-Dichlorophenol 162 164,98 

Trimethyl phosphate 110 79,95,109,140 

Ethyl methanesulfonate 79 109,9745,65 

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 180 182,145 

Naphthalene-d8 (IS) 136 68 

Naphthalene 128 129,127 

Hexachlorobutadiene 225 223,227 

Tetraethyl pyrophosphate 99 155,127,81,109 

Diethyl sulfate 139 45,59,99,111,125 

4-Chloro-3-methylphenol 107 144,142 

2-Methylnaphthalene 142 141 

2-Methylphenol 107 108,77,79,90 

Hexachloropropene 213 211,215,117,106,141

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 237 235,272 

N-Nitrosopyrrolidine 100 41,42,68,69 

Acetophenone 105 71,51,120 

3/4-Methylphenol b107 108,77,79,90 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 196 198,200 

o-Toluidine 106 107,77,51,79 

2-Chloronaphthalene 162 127,164 

N-Nitrosopiperidine 114 42,55,56,41 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 34 Revision 5 

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Compound Primary Ion Secondary Ion(s) 

1,4-Phenylenediamine 108 80,53,54,52 

1-Chloronaphthalene 162 127,164 

2-Nitroaniline 65 92,138 

5-Chloro-2-methylaniline 106 141,140,77,89 

Dimethyl phthalate 163 194,164 

Acenaphthylene 152 151,153 

2,6-Dinitrotoluene 165 63,89 

Phthalic anhydride 104 76,50,148 

o-Anisidine 108 80,123,52 

3-Nitroaniline 138 108,92 

Acenanaphthene-d10 (IS) 164 162,160 

Acenaphthene 154 153,152 

2,4-Dinitrophenol 184 63,154 

2,6-Dinitrophenol 162 164,126,98,63 

4-Chloroaniline 127 129,65,92 

Isosafrole 162 131,104,77,51 

Dibenzofuran 168 139 

2,4-Diaminotoluene 121 122,94,77,104 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 165 63,89 

4-Nitrophenol 139 109,65 

2-Naphthylamine 143 115,116 

1,4-Naphthoquinone 158 104,102,76,50,130 

p-Cresidine 122 94,137,77,93 

Dichlorovos 109 185,79,145 

Diethyl phthalate 149 177,150 

Fluorene 166 165,167 

2,4,5-Trimethylaniline 120 135,134,91,77 

N-Nitrosodi-n-butylamine 84 57,41,116,158 

4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether 204 206,141 

Hydroquinone 110 81,53,55 

4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol 198 51,105 

Resorcinol 110 81,82,53,69 

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine 169 168,167 

Safrole 162 104,77,103,135 

Hexamethyl phosphoramide 135 44,179,92,42 

3-(Chloromethyl)pyridine hydrochloride 92 127,129,65,39 

Diphenylamine 169 168,167 

1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene 216 214,179,108,143,218

1-Naphthylamine 143 115,89,63 

1-Acetyl-2-thiourea 118 43,42,76 

4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether 248 250,141 

Toluene diisocyanate 174 145,173,146,132,91 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 196 198,97,132,99 

Hexachlorobenzene 284 142,249 

Nicotine 84 133,161,162 

Pentachlorophenol 266 264,268 

5-Nitro-o-toluidine 152 77,79,106,94 

Thionazine 107 96,97,143,79,68 

4-Nitroaniline 138 65,108,92,80,39 

Phenanthrene-d10 (IS) 188 94,80 

Phenanthrene 178 179,176 

Anthracene 178 176,179 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 35 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Compound Primary Ion Secondary Ion(s) 

1,4-Dinitrobenzene 168 75,50,76,92,122 

Mevinphos 127 192,109,67,164 

Naled 109 145,147,301,79,189 

1,3-Dinitrobenzene 168 76,50,75,92,122 

Diallate (cis or trans) 86 234,43,70 

1,2-Dinitrobenzene 168 50,63,74 

Diallate (trans or cis) 86 234,43,70 

Pentachlorobenzene 250 252,108,248,215,254

5-Nitro-o-anisidine 168 79,52,138,153,77 

Pentachloronitrobenzene 237 142,214,249,295,265

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide 174 101,128,75,116 

Di-n-butyl phthalate 149 150,104 

2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol 232 131,230,166,234,168

Dihydrosaffrole 135 64,77 

Demeton-O 88 89,60,61,115,171 

Fluoranthene 202 101,203 

1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene 75 74,213,120,91,63 

Dicrotophos 127 67,72,109,193,237 

Benzidine 184 92,185 

Trifluralin 306 43,264,41,290 

Bromoxynil 277 279,88,275,168 

Pyrene 202 200,203 

Monocrotophos 127 192,67,97,109 

Phorate 75 121,97,93,260 

Sulfallate 188 88,72,60,44 

Demeton-S 88 60,81,89,114,115 

Phenacetin 108 180,179,109,137,80 

Dimethoate 87 93,125,143,229 

Phenobarbital 204 117,232,146,161 

Carbofuran 164 149,131,122 

Octamethyl pyrophosphoramide 135 44,199,286,153,243

4-Aminobiphenyl 169 168,170,115 

Dioxathion 97 125,270,153 

Terbufos 231 57,97,153,103 

α,α-Dimethylphenylamine 58 91,65,134,42 

Pronamide 173 175,145,109,147 

Aminoazobenzene 197 92,120,65,77 

Dichlone 191 163,226,228,135,193

Dinoseb 211 163,147,117,240 

Disulfoton 88 97,89,142,186 

Fluchloralin 306 63,326,328,264,65 

Mexacarbate 165 150,134,164,222 

4,4'-Oxydianiline 200 108,171,80,65 

Butyl benzyl phthalate 149 91,206 

4-Nitrobiphenyl 199 152,141,169,151 

Phosphamidon 127 264,72,109,138 

2-Cyclohexyl-4,6-Dinitrophenol 231 185,41,193,266 

Methyl parathion 109 125,263,79,93 

Carbaryl 144 115,116,201 

Dimethylaminoazobenzene 225 120,77,105,148,42 

Propylthiouracil 170 142,114,83 

Benz(a)anthracene 228 229,226 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 36 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Compound Primary Ion Secondary Ion(s) 

Chrysene-d12 (IS) 240 120,236 

3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 252 254,126 

Chrysene 228 226,229 

Malathion 173 125,127,93,158 

Kepone 272 274,237,178,143,270

Fenthion 278 125,109,169,153 

Parathion 109 97,291,139,155 

Anilazine 239 241,143,178,89 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 149 167,279 

3,3'-Dimethylbenzidine 212 106,196,180 

Carbophenothion 157 97,121,342,159,199 

5-Nitroacenaphthene 199 152,169,141,115 

Methapyrilene 97 50,191,71 

Isodrin 193 66,195,263,265,147 

Captan 79 149,77,119,117 

Chlorfenvinphos 267 269,323,325,295 

Crotoxyphos 127 105,193,166 

Phosmet 160 77,93,317,76 

EPN 157 169,185,141,323 

Tetrachlorvinphos 329 109,331,79,333 

Di-n-octyl phthalate 149 167,43 

2-Aminoanthraquinone 223 167,195 

Barban 222 51,87,224,257,153 

Aramite 185 191,319,334,197,321

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 252 253,125 

Nitrofen 283 285,202,139,253 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 252 253,125 

Chlorobenzilate 251 139,253,111,141 

Fensulfothion 293 97,308,125,292 

Ethion 231 97,153,125,121 

Diethylstilbestrol 268 145,107,239,121,159

Famphur 218 125,93,109,217 

Tri-p-tolyl phosphatec 368 367,107,165,198 

Benzo(a)pyrene 252 253,125 

Perylene-d12 (IS) 264 260,265 

7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene 256 241,239,120 

5,5-Diphenylhydantoin 180 104,252,223,209 

Captafol 79 77,80,107 

Dinocap 69 41,39 

Methoxychlor 227 228,152,114,274,212

2-Acetylaminofluorene 181 180,223,152 

4,4'-Methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) 231 266,268,140,195 

3,3'-Dimethoxybenzidine 244 201,229 

3-Methylcholanthrene 268 252,253,126,134,113

Phosalone 182 184,367,121,379 

Azinphos-methyl 160 132,93,104,105 

Leptophos 171 377,375,77,155,379 

Mirex 272 237,274,270,239,235

Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate 201 137,119,217,219,199

Dibenz(a,j)acridine 279 280,277,250 

Mestranol 277 310,174,147,242 

Coumaphos 362 226,210,364,97,109 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 37 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Compound Primary Ion Secondary Ion(s) 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 276 138,277 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 278 139,279 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 276 138,277 

1,2:4,5-Dibenzopyrene 302 151,150,300 

Strychnine 334 334,335,333 

Piperonyl sulfoxide 162 135,105,77 

Hexachlorophene 196 198,209,211,406,408

Aldrin 66 263,220 

Aroclor 1016 222 260,292 

Aroclor 1221 190 224,260 

Aroclor 1232 190 224,260 

Aroclor 1242 222 256,292 

Aroclor 1248 292 362,326 

Aroclor 1254 292 362,326 

Aroclor 1260 360 362,394 

α-BHC 183 181,109 

β-BHC 181 183,109 

δ-BHC 183 181,109 

γ-BHC (Lindane) 183 181,109 

4,4'-DDD 235 237,165 

4,4'-DDE 246 248,176 

4,4'-DDT 235 237,165 

Dieldrin 79 263,279 

1,2-Diphenylhydrazine 77 105,182 

Endosulfan I 195 339,341 

Endosulfan II 337 339,341 

Endosulfan sulfate 272 387,422 

Endrin 263 82,81 

Endrin aldehyde 67 345,250 

Endrin ketone 317 67,319 

2-Fluorobiphenyl (surr) 172 171 

2-Fluorophenol (surr) 112 64 

Heptachlor 100 272,274 

Heptachlor epoxide 353 355,351 

Nitrobenzene-d5 (surr) 82 128,54 

N-Nitrosodimethylamine 42 74,44 

Phenol-d6 (surr) 99 42,71 

Terphenyl-d14 (surr) 244 122,212 

2,4,6-Tribromophenol (surr) 330 332,141 

Toxaphene 159 231,233 

IS = internal standard 

surr = surrogate 

a

 The data presented are representative of DB-5 type analytical columns. 

b

 Compounds cannot be separated for quantitation 

c

 Substitute for the non-specific mixture, tricresyl phosphate 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 38 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 2 

EXAMPLE LOWER LIMITS OF QUANTITATION FOR SEMIVOLATILE ORGANICS 

Compound 

Lower Limits of Quantitationa 

Ground water 

(μg/L) 

Low Soil/Sedimentb

(μg/kg) 

Acenaphthene 10 660 

Acenaphthylene 10 660 

Acetophenone 10 ND 

2-Acetylaminofluorene 20 ND 

1-Acetyl-2-thiourea 1000 ND 

2-Aminoanthraquinone 20 ND 

Aminoazobenzene 10 ND 

4-Aminobiphenyl 20 ND 

Anilazine 100 ND 

o-Anisidine 10 ND 

Anthracene 10 660 

Aramite 20 ND 

Azinphos-methyl 100 ND 

Barban 200 ND 

Benz(a)anthracene 10 660 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 10 660 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 10 660 

Benzoic acid 50 3300 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 10 660 

Benzo(a)pyrene 10 660 

p-Benzoquinone 10 ND 

Benzyl alcohol 20 1300 

Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane 10 660 

Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether 10 660 

Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)ether 10 660 

4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether 10 660 

Bromoxynil 10 ND 

Butyl benzyl phthalate 10 660 

Captafol 20 ND 

Captan 50 ND 

Carbaryl 10 ND 

Carbofuran 10 ND 

Carbophenothion 10 ND 

Chlorfenvinphos 20 ND 

4-Chloroaniline 20 1300 

Chlorobenzilate 10 ND 

5-Chloro-2-methylaniline 10 ND 

4-Chloro-3-methylphenol 20 1300 

3-(Chloromethyl)pyridine hydrochloride 100 ND 

2-Chloronaphthalene 10 660 

2-Chlorophenol 10 660 

4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether 10 660 

Chrysene 10 660 

Coumaphos 40 ND 

p-Cresidine 10 ND 

Crotoxyphos 20 ND 

2-Cyclohexyl-4,6-dinitrophenol 100 ND 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 39 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Compound 

Lower Limits of Quantitationa 

Ground water 

(μg/L) 

Low Soil/Sedimentb

(μg/kg) 

Demeton-O 10 ND 

Demeton-S 10 ND 

Diallate (cis or trans) 10 ND 

Diallate (trans or cis) 10 ND 

2,4-Diaminotoluene 20 ND 

Dibenz(a,j)acridine 10 ND 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 10 660 

Dibenzofuran 10 660 

Dibenzo(a,e)pyrene 10 ND 

Di-n-butyl phthalate 10 ND 

Dichlone NA ND 

1,2-Dichlorobenzene 10 660 

1,3-Dichlorobenzene 10 660 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 10 660 

3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 20 1300 

2,4-Dichlorophenol 10 660 

2,6-Dichlorophenol 10 ND 

Dichlorovos 10 ND 

Dicrotophos 10 ND 

Diethyl phthalate 10 660 

Diethylstilbestrol 20 ND 

Diethyl sulfate 100 ND 

Dimethoate 20 ND 

3,3'-Dimethoxybenzidine 100 ND 

Dimethylaminoazobenzene 10 ND 

7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene 10 ND 

3,3'-Dimethylbenzidine 10 ND 

2,4-Dimethylphenol 10 660 

Dimethyl phthalate 10 660 

1,2-Dinitrobenzene 40 ND 

1,3-Dinitrobenzene 20 ND 

1,4-Dinitrobenzene 40 ND 

4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol 50 3300 

2,4-Dinitrophenol 50 3300 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 10 660 

2,6-Dinitrotoluene 10 660 

Dinocap 100 ND 

Dinoseb 20 ND 

5,5-Diphenylhydantoin 20 ND 

Di-n-octyl phthalate 10 660 

Disulfoton 10 ND 

EPN 10 ND 

Ethion 10 ND 

Ethyl carbamate 50 ND 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 10 660 

Ethyl methanesulfonate 20 ND 

Famphur 20 ND 

Fensulfothion 40 ND 

Fenthion 10 ND 

Fluchloralin 20 ND 

Fluoranthene 10 660 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 40 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Compound 

Lower Limits of Quantitationa 

Ground water 

(μg/L) 

Low Soil/Sedimentb

(μg/kg) 

Fluorene 10 660 

Hexachlorobenzene 10 660 

Hexachlorobutadiene 10 660 

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 10 660 

Hexachloroethane 10 660 

Hexachlorophene 50 ND 

Hexachloropropene 10 ND 

Hexamethylphosphoramide 20 ND 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 10 660 

Isodrin 20 ND 

Isophorone 10 660 

Isosafrole 10 ND 

Kepone 20 ND 

Leptophos 10 ND 

Malathion 50 ND 

Mestranol 20 ND 

Methapyrilene 100 ND 

Methoxychlor 10 ND 

3-Methylcholanthrene 10 ND 

Methyl methanesulfonate 10 ND 

2-Methylnaphthalene 10 660 

Methyl parathion 10 ND 

2-Methylphenol 10 660 

3-Methylphenol 10 ND 

4-Methylphenol 10 660 

Mevinphos 10 ND 

Mexacarbate 20 ND 

Mirex 10 ND 

Monocrotophos 40 ND 

Naled 20 ND 

Naphthalene 10 660 

1,4-Naphthoquinone 10 ND 

1-Naphthylamine 10 ND 

2-Naphthylamine 10 ND 

Nicotine 20 ND 

5-Nitroacenaphthene 10 ND 

2-Nitroaniline 50 3300 

3-Nitroaniline 50 3300 

4-Nitroaniline 20 ND 

5-Nitro-o-anisidine 10 ND 

Nitrobenzene 10 660 

4-Nitrobiphenyl 10 ND 

Nitrofen 20 ND 

2-Nitrophenol 10 660 

4-Nitrophenol 50 3300 

5-Nitro-o-toluidine 10 ND 

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide 40 ND 

N-Nitrosodi-n-butylamine 10 ND 

N-Nitrosodiethylamine 20 ND 

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine 10 660 

N-Nitroso-di-n-propylamine 10 660 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 41 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Compound 

Lower Limits of Quantitationa 

Ground water 

(μg/L) 

Low Soil/Sedimentb

(μg/kg) 

N-Nitrosopiperidine 20 ND 

N-Nitrosopyrrolidine 40 ND 

Octamethyl pyrophosphoramide 200 ND 

4,4'-Oxydianiline 20 ND 

Parathion 10 ND 

Pentachlorobenzene 10 ND 

Pentachloronitrobenzene 20 ND 

Pentachlorophenol 50 3300 

Phenacetin 20 ND 

Phenanthrene 10 660 

Phenobarbital 10 ND 

Phenol 10 660 

1,4-Phenylenediamine 10 ND 

Phorate 10 ND 

Phosalone 100 ND 

Phosmet 40 ND 

Phosphamidon 100 ND 

Phthalic anhydride 100 ND 

2-Picoline ND ND 

Piperonyl sulfoxide 100 ND 

Pronamide 10 ND 

Propylthiouracil 100 ND 

Pyrene 10 660 

Resorcinol 100 ND 

Safrole 10 ND 

Strychnine 40 ND 

Sulfallate 10 ND 

Terbufos 20 ND 

1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene 10 ND 

2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol 10 ND 

Tetrachlorvinphos 20 ND 

Tetraethyl pyrophosphate 40 ND 

Thionazine 20 ND 

Thiophenol (Benzenethiol) 20 ND 

o-Toluidine 10 ND 

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 10 660 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 10 660 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 10 660 

Trifluralin 10 ND 

2,4,5-Trimethylaniline 10 ND 

Trimethyl phosphate 10 ND 

1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene 10 ND 

Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate 200 ND 

Tri-p-tolyl phosphate(h) 10 ND 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 42 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

aSample LLOQs are highly matrix-dependent and those listed here are provided for guidance 

and may not always be achievable. 

b

LLOQs listed for soil/sediment are based on wet weight. When data are reported on a dry 

weight basis, the lower limits will be higher based on the % dry weight of each sample. These 

lower limits are based on a 30-g sample and gel permeation chromatography cleanup. 

ND = Not Determined 

NA = Not Applicable 

Other Matrices Factorc 

High-concentration soil and sludges by ultrasonic extraction 7.5 

Non-water miscible waste 75 

c

 LLOQ=(LLOQ for low soil/sediment given above in Table 2) x (Factor) 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 43 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 3 

DFTPP KEY IONS AND ION ABUNDANCE CRITERIAa,b

Mass Ion Abundance Criteria 

51 10-80% of Base Peak 

68 < 2% of mass 69 

70 < 2% of mass 69 

127 10-80% of Base Peak 

197 < 2% of mass 198 

198 Base peak, or > 50% of Mass 442 

199 5-9% of mass 198 

275 10-60% of Base Peak 

365 > 1% of mass 198 

441 present but < 24% of mass 442 

442 Base Peak, or > 50% of mass 198 

443 15-24% of mass 442 

 

a

 The majority of the data are taken from Reference 13 (Method 525.2). 

b

 The criteria in this table are intended to be used as default criteria for quadrupole 

instrumentation if optimized manufacturer's operating conditions are not available. 

Alternate tuning criteria may be employed (e.g., CLP or Method 625), provided that 

method performance is not adversely affected. See Sec. 11.3.1. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 44 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 4 

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM RESPONSE FACTOR CRITERIA FOR INITIAL AND 

CONTINUING CALIBRATION VERIFICATION USING THE SUGGESTED IONS 

FROM TABLE 1 

Semivolatile Compounds Minimum Response 

Factor (RF) 

Benzaldehyde 0.010 

Phenol 0.800 

Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether 0.700 

2-Chlorophenol 0.800 

2-Methylphenol 0.700 

2,2'-Oxybis-(1-chloropropane) 0.010 

Acetophenone 0.010 

4-Methylphenol 0.600 

N-Nitroso-di-n-propylamine 0.500 

Hexachloroethane 0.300 

Nitrobenzene 0.200 

Isophorone 0.400 

2-Nitrophenol 0.100 

2,4-Dimethylphenol 0.200 

Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane 0.300 

2,4-Dichlorophenol 0.200 

Naphthalene 0.700 

4-Chloroaniline 0.010 

Hexachlorobutadiene 0.010 

Caprolactam 0.010 

4-Chloro-3-methylphenol 0.200 

2-Methylnaphthalene 0.400 

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 0.050 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 0.200 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 0.200 

1,1'-Biphenyl 0.010 

2-Chloronaphthalene 0.800 

2-Nitroaniline 0.010 

Dimethyl phthalate 0.010 

2,6-Dinitrotoluene 0.200 

Acenaphthylene 0.900 

3-Nitroaniline 0.010 

Acenaphthene 0.900 

2,4-Dinitrophenol 0.010 

4-Nitrophenol 0.010 

Dibenzofuran 0.800 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 0.200 

Diethyl phthalate 0.010 

1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene 0.010 

4-Chlorophenyl-phenyl ether 0.400 

Fluorene 0.900 

4-Nitroaniline 0.010 

4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol 0.010 

4-Bromophenyl-phenyl ether 0.100 

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine 0.010 

Hexachlorobenzene 0.100 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 45 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Semivolatile Compounds Minimum Response 

Factor (RF) 

Atrazine 0.010 

Pentachlorophenol 0.050 

Phenanthrene 0.700 

Anthracene 0.700 

Carbazole 0.010 

Di-n-butyl phthalate 0.010 

Fluoranthene 0.600 

Pyrene 0.600 

Butyl benzyl phthalate 0.010 

3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 0.010 

Benzo(a)anthracene 0.800 

Chrysene 0.700 

Bis-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 0.010 

Di-n-octyl phthalate 0.010 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 0.700 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 0.700 

Benzo(a)pyrene 0.700 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 0.500 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 0.400 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 0.500 

2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol 0.010 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 46 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 5 

SEMIVOLATILE INTERNAL STANDARDS WITH CORRESPONDING ANALYTES 

ASSIGNED FOR QUANTITATION 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene-d4 Naphthalene-d8 Acenaphthene-d10

Aniline Acetophenone Acenaphthene 

Benzyl alcohol Benzoic acid Acenaphthylene 

Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane 1-Chloronaphthalene 

Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) 

ether 4-Chloroaniline 2-Chloronaphthalene 

2-Chlorophenol 4-Chloro-3-methylphenol 4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether 

1,3-Dichlorobenzene 2,4-Dichlorophenol Dibenzofuran

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 2,6-Dichlorophenol Diethyl phthalate 

1,2-Dichlorobenzene α,α-Dimethylphenethylamine Dimethyl phthalate 

Ethyl methanesulfonate 2,4-Dimethylphenol 2,4-Dinitrophenol 

2-Fluorophenol (surr) Hexachlorobutadiene 2,4-Dinitrotoluene 

Hexachloroethane Isophorone 2,6-Dinitrotoluene 

Methyl methanesulfonate 2-Methylnaphthalene Fluorene 

2-Methylphenol Naphthalene 2-Fluorobiphenyl (surr) 

4-Methylphenol Nitrobenzene Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 

N-Nitrosodimethylamine Nitrobenzene-d8 (surr) 1-Naphthylamine 

N-Nitroso-di-n-propylamine 2-Nitrophenol 2-Naphthylamine 

Phenol N-Nitrosodi-n-butylamine 2-Nitroaniline 

Phenol-d6 (surr) N-Nitrosopiperidine 3-Nitroaniline 

2-Picoline 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 4-Nitroaniline 

 4-Nitrophenol 

 Pentachlorobenzene 

 1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene 

 2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol 

 2,4,6-Tribromophenol (surr) 

 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 

 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 

(surr) = surrogate 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 47 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 5 

(continued) 

Phenanthrene-d10 Chrysene-d12 Perylene-d12

4-Aminobiphenyl Benzidine Benzo(b)fluoranthene 

Anthracene Benzo(a)anthracene Benzo(k)fluoranthene 

4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 

Di-n-butyl phthalate Butyl benzyl phthalate Benzo(a)pyrene 

4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol Chrysene Dibenz(a,j)acridine 

Diphenylamine 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 

Fluoranthene p-Dimethyl aminoazobenzene 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene 

Hexachlorobenzene Pyrene Di-n-octyl phthalate 

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine Terphenyl-d14 (surr) Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 

Pentachlorophenol 3-Methylcholanthrene 

Pentachloronitrobenzene 

Phenacetin 

Phenanthrene 

Pronamide 

(surr) = surrogate 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 48 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 6 

EXAMPLE SINGLE LABORATORY PERFORMANCE DATAa

Compound Test conc. 

(μg/L) 

xof 5 

replicates 

(μg/L) 

% Recovery 

of Avg. 

Acenaphthene 50 46.7 93.4 

Acenaphthylene 50 46.1 92.2 

Aniline 50 8.3 16.7 

Anthracene 50 48.4 96.8 

Benzoic acid 50 43.7 87.4 

Benzo(a)anthracene 50 49.6 99.2 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 50 49.8 99.6 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 50 50.6 101 

Benzo(a)pyrene 50 47.7 95.5 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 50 52.6 105 

Benzyl alcohol 50 44.4 88.8 

Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether 50 44.2 88.4 

Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane 50 46.6 93.1 

Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)ether 50 43.4 86.8 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 50 50.2 100 

4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether 50 48.6 97.2 

Butyl benzyl phthalate 50 49.6 99.3 

Carbazole 50 52.1 104 

2-Chloroaniline 50 38.9 77.7 

4-Chloro-3-methylphenol 50 47.3 94.6 

2-Chloronaphthalene 50 45.3 90.8 

2-Chlorophenol 50 43.1 86.2 

4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether 50 47.3 94.6 

Chrysene 50 50.3 101 

Dibenzofuran 50 47.4 94.7 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 50 51.6 103 

Di-n-butyl phthalate 50 50.5 101 

1,2-Dichlorobenzene 50 35.8 71.6 

1,3-Dichlorobenzene 50 33.3 66.7 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 50 34.4 68.7 

3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 50 32.0 64.0 

2,4-Dichlorophenol 50 47.4 94.8 

Diethyl phthalate 50 50.0 99.9 

Dimethyl phthalate 50 48.5 97.0 

2,4-Dimethylphenol 50 31.2 62.3 

4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol 50 57.6 115 

2,4-Dinitrophenol 50 58.7 117 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 50 51.3 103 

2,6-Dinitrotoluene 50 50.2 100 

Di-n-octyl phthalate 50 51.1 102 

Fluoranthene 50 51.0 102 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 49 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Compound Test conc. 

(μg/L) 

xof 5 

replicates 

(μg/L) 

% Recovery 

of Avg. 

Fluorene 50 48.5 97.0 

Hexachlorobenzene 50 49.0 97.9 

Hexachlorobutadiene 50 34.7 69.5 

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 50 1.9 3.8 

Hexachloroethane 50 29.9 58.8 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 50 51.7 103 

Isophorone 50 47.1 94.3 

2-Methylnaphthalene 50 44.7 89.4 

2-Methylphenol 50 41.7 83.4 

4-Methylphenol 50 42.6 85.2 

Naphthalene 50 43.4 86.8 

2-Nitroaniline 50 48.4 96.7 

3-Nitroaniline 50 46.8 93.6 

4-Nitroaniline 50 56.1 112 

Nitrobenzene 50 47.1 94.1 

2-Nitrophenol 50 47.3 94.6 

4-Nitrophenol 50 55.4 111 

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine 50 46.7 93.4 

N-Nitroso-di-propylamine 50 44.6 89.3 

Pentachlorophenol 50 56.9 114 

Phenanthrene 50 49.7 99.4 

Phenol 50 40.9 81.8 

Pyrene 50 49.2 98.4 

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 50 39.1 78.2 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 50 47.7 95.4 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 50 49.2 98.4 

x=Average recovery for five initial demonstrations of capability measurements, in μg/L 

a

 Extraction using acidic pH only with a modified continuous liquid-liquid extractor with 

hydrophobic membrane according to Method 3520. These values are for guidance only. 

Appropriate derivation of acceptance criteria for similar extraction conditions may result in much 

different recovery ranges. See Method 8000 for information on developing and updating 

acceptance criteria for method performance. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 50 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 7 

EXTRACTION EFFICIENCY AND AQUEOUS STABILITY RESULTS

Compound 

Percent Recovery, Day 0 Percent Recovery, Day 7 

Mean RSD Mean RSD 

3-Amino-9-ethylcarbazole 80 8 73 3 

4-Chloro-1,2-phenylenediamine 91 1 108 4 

4-Chloro-1,3-phenylenediamine 84 3 70 3 

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane 97 2 98 5 

Dinoseb 99 3 97 6 

Parathion 100 2 103 4 

4,4'-Methylenebis(N,Ndimethylaniline) 108 4 90 4 

5-Nitro-o-toluidine 99 10 93 4 

2-Picoline 80 4 83 4 

Tetraethyl dithiopyrophosphate 92 7 70 1 

Data taken from Reference 6. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 51 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 8 

MEAN PERCENT RECOVERIES AND PERCENT RSD VALUES FOR SEMIVOLATILE 

ORGANIC FROM SPIKED CLAY SOIL AND TOPSOIL BY AUTOMATED SOXHLET 

(SOXTEC) EXTRACTION (METHOD 3541) WITH HEXANE-ACETONE (1:1)a

Compound 

Clay Soil Top Soil 

Mean 

Recovery RSD Mean Recovery RSD 

1,3-Dichlorobenzene 0 -- 0 -- 

1,2-Dichlorobenzene 0 -- 0 -- 

Nitrobenzene 0 -- 0 -- 

Benzal chloride 0 -- 0 -- 

Benzotrichloride 0 -- 0 -- 

4-Chloro-2-nitrotoluene 0 -- 0 -- 

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 4.1 15 7.8 23 

2,4-Dichloronitrobenzene 35.2 7.6 21.2 15 

3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene 34.9 15 20.4 11 

Pentachlorobenzene 13.7 7.3 14.8 13 

2,3,4,5-Tetrachloronitrobenzene 55.9 6.7 50.4 6.0 

Benefin 62.6 4.8 62.7 2.9 

alpha-BHC 58.2 7.3 54.8 4.8 

Hexachlorobenzene 26.9 13 25.1 5.7 

delta-BHC 95.8 4.6 99.2 1.3 

Heptachlor 46.9 9.2 49.1 6.3 

Aldrin 97.7 12 102 7.4 

Isopropalin 102 4.3 105 2.3 

Heptachlor epoxide 90.4 4.4 93.6 2.4 

trans-Chlordane 90.1 4.5 95.0 2.3 

Endosulfan I 96.3 4.4 101 2.2 

Dieldrin 129 4.7 104 1.9 

2,5-Dichlorophenyl-4-nitrophenyl ether 110 4.1 112 2.1 

Endrin 102 4.5 106 3.7 

Endosulfan II 104 4.1 105 0.4 

p,p'-DDT 134 2.1 111 2.0 

2,3,6-Trichlorophenyl-4'-nitrophenyl ether 110 4.8 110 2.8 

2,3,4-Trichlorophenyl-4'-nitrophenyl ether 112 4.4 112 3.3 

Mirex 104 5.3 108 2.2 

a

 The operating conditions for the Soxtec apparatus were as follows: immersion time 45 min; 

the sample size was 10 g; the spiking concentration was 500 ng/g, except for the surrogate 

compounds at 1000 ng/g, 2,5-Dichlorophenyl-4-nitrophenyl ether, 2,3,6-Trichlorophenyl-4-

nitrophenyl ether, and 2,3,4-Trichlorophenyl-4-nitrophenyl ether at 1500 ng/g, Nitrobenzene at 

2000 ng/g, and 1,3-Dichlorobenzene and 1,2-Dichlorobenzene at 5000 ng/g. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 52 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 9 

SINGLE LABORATORY ACCURACY AND PRECISION DATA FOR THE EXTRACTION 

OF SEMIVOLATILE ORGANICS FROM SPIKED CLAY BY 

AUTOMATED SOXHLET (SOXTEC) (METHOD 3541)a

Compound Mean Recovery RSD 

Phenol 47.8 5.6 

Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether 25.4 13 

2-Chlorophenol 42.7 4.3 

Benzyl alcohol 55.9 7.2 

2-Methylphenol 17.6 6.6 

Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)ether 15.0 15 

4-Methylphenol 23.4 6.7 

N-Nitroso-di-n-propylamine 41.4 6.2 

Nitrobenzene 28.2 7.7 

Isophorone 56.1 4.2 

2-Nitrophenol 36.0 6.5 

2,4-Dimethylphenol 50.1 5.7 

Benzoic acid 40.6 7.7 

Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane 44.1 3.0 

2,4-Dichlorophenol 55.6 4.6 

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 18.1 31 

Naphthalene 26.2 15 

4-Chloroaniline 55.7 12 

4-Chloro-3-methylphenol 65.1 5.1 

2-Methylnaphthalene 47.0 8.6 

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 19.3 19 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 70.2 6.3 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 26.8 2.9 

2-Chloronaphthalene 61.2 6.0 

2-Nitroaniline 73.8 6.0 

Dimethyl phthalate 74.6 5.2 

Acenaphthylene 71.6 5.7 

3-Nitroaniline 77.6 5.3 

Acenaphthene 79.2 4.0 

2,4-Dinitrophenol 91.9 8.9 

4-Nitrophenol 62.9 16 

Dibenzofuran 82.1 5.9 

2,4-Dinotrotoluene 84.2 5.4 

2,6-Dinitrotoluene 68.3 5.8 

Diethyl phthalate 74.9 5.4 

4-Chlorophenyl-phenyl ether 67.2 3.2 

Fluorene 82.1 3.4 

4-Nitroaniline 79.0 7.9 

4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol 63.4 6.8 

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine 77.0 3.4 

4-Bromophenyl-phenyl ether 62.4 3.0 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 53 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Compound Mean Recovery RSD 

Hexachlorobenzene 72.6 3.7 

Pentachlorophenol 62.7 6.1 

Phenanthrene 83.9 5.4 

Anthracene 96.3 3.9 

Di-n-butyl phthalate 78.3 40 

Fluoranthene 87.7 6.9 

Pyrene 102 0.8 

Butyl benzyl phthalate 66.3 5.2 

3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 25.2 11 

Benzo(a)anthracene 73.4 3.8 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 77.2 4.8 

Chrysene 76.2 4.4 

Di-n-octyl phthalate 83.1 4.8 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 82.7 5.0 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 71.7 4.1 

Benzo(a)pyrene 71.7 4.1 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 72.2 4.3 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 66.7 6.3 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 63.9 8.0 

1,2-Dichlorobenzene 0 -- 

1,3-Dichlorobenzene 0 -- 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 0 -- 

Hexachloroethane 0 -- 

Hexachlorobutadiene 0 -- 

aNumber of determinations was three. The operating conditions for the Soxtec apparatus were 

as follows: immersion time 45 min; the sample size was 10 g clay soil; the spike concentration 

was 6 mg/kg per compound. The sample was allowed to equilibrate 1 hour after spiking. 

Data taken from Reference 7. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 54 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 10 

PRECISION AND BIAS VALUES FOR METHOD 3542a 

Compound Mean Recovery Standard Deviation % RSD 

2-Fluorophenol 74.6 28.6 38.3 

Phenol-d5 77.8 27.7 35.6 

Nitrobenzene-d5 65.6 32.5 49.6 

2-Fluorobiphenyl 75.9 30.3 39.9 

2,4,6-Tribromophenol 67.0 34.0 50.7 

Terphenyl-d14 78.6 32.4 41.3 

 

aThe surrogate values shown in Table 10 represent mean recoveries for surrogates in all 

Method 0010 matrices in a field dynamic spiking study. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 55 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 11 

PRESSURIZED FLUID EXTRACTION (METHOD 3545) RECOVERY VALUES 

AS PERCENT OF SOXTECTM

Compound 

Clay Loam Sand Mean 

Low Mid High Low Mid High Low Mid High Rec. 

Phenol 93.3 78.7 135.9 73.9 82.8 124.6 108.8 130.6 89.7 102.0 

Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether 102.1 85.1 109.1 96.0 88.0 103.6 122.3 119.9 90.8 101.9 

2-Chlorophenol 100.8 82.6 115.0 93.8 88.9 111.1 115.0 115.3 91.9 101.6 

1,3-Dichlorobenzene 127.7 129.7 110.0 *364.2 129.9 119.0 *241.3 *163.7 107.1 120.6 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 127.9 127.0 110.5 *365.9 127.8 116.4 *309.6 *164.1 105.8 119.2 

1,2-Dichlorobenzene 116.8 115.8 101.3 *159.2 113.4 105.5 *189.3 134.0 100.4 112.5 

2-Methylphenol 98.9 82.1 119.7 87.6 89.4 111.0 133.2 128.0 92.1 104.7 

Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) 

ether 109.4 71.5 108.0 81.8 81.0 88.6 118.1 148.3 94.8 100.2 

o-Toluidine 100.0 89.7 117.2 100.0 *152.5 120.3 100.0 *199.5 102.7 110.3 

N-Nitroso-di-n-propylamine 103.0 79.1 107.7 83.9 88.1 96.2 109.9 123.3 91.4 98.1 

Hexachloroethane 97.1 125.1 111.0 *245.4 117.1 128.1 *566.7 147.9 103.7 118.6 

Nitrobenzene 104.8 82.4 106.6 86.8 84.6 101.7 119.7 122.1 93.3 100.2 

Isophorone 100.0 86.4 98.2 87.1 87.5 109.7 135.5 118.4 92.7 101.7 

2,4-Dimethylphenol 100.0 104.5 140.0 100.0 114.4 123.1 100.0 *180.6 96.3 109.8 

2-Nitrophenol 80.7 80.5 107.9 91.4 86.7 103.2 122.1 107.1 87.0 96.3 

Bis(chloroethoxy)methane 94.4 80.6 94.7 86.5 84.4 99.6 130.6 110.7 93.2 97.2 

2,4-Dichlorophenol 88.9 87.8 111.4 85.9 87.6 103.5 123.3 107.0 92.1 98.6 

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 98.0 97.8 98.8 123.0 93.7 94.5 137.0 99.4 95.3 104.2 

Naphthalene 101.7 97.2 123.6 113.2 102.9 129.5 *174.5 114.0 89.8 106.1 

4-Chloroaniline 100.0 *150.2 *162.4 100.0 125.5 *263.6 100.0 *250.8 114.9 108.1 

Hexachlorobutadiene 101.1 98.7 102.2 124.1 90.3 98.0 134.9 96.1 96.8 104.7 

4-Chloro-3-methylphenol 90.4 80.2 114.7 79.0 85.2 109.8 131.6 116.2 90.1 99.7 

2-Methylnaphthalene 93.2 89.9 94.6 104.1 92.2 105.9 146.2 99.1 93.3 102.1 

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 100.0 100.0 0.0 100.0 100.0 6.8 100.0 100.0 *238.3 75.8 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 94.6 90.0 112.0 84.2 91.2 103.6 101.6 95.9 89.8 95.9 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 84.4 91.9 109.6 96.1 80.7 103.6 108.9 83.9 87.9 94.1 

2-Chloronaphthalene 100.0 91.3 93.6 97.6 93.4 98.3 106.8 93.0 92.0 96.2 

2-Nitroaniline 90.0 83.4 97.4 71.3 88.4 89.9 112.1 113.3 87.7 92.6 

2,6-Dinitrotoluene 83.1 90.6 91.6 86.4 90.6 90.3 104.3 84.7 90.9 90.3 

Acenaphthylene 104.9 95.9 100.5 99.0 97.9 108.8 118.5 97.8 92.0 101.7 

3-Nitroaniline *224.0 115.6 97.6 100.0 111.8 107.8 0.0 111.7 99.0 92.9 

Acenaphthene 102.1 92.6 97.6 97.2 96.9 104.4 114.2 92.0 89.0 98.4 

4-Nitrophenol 0.0 93.2 121.5 18.1 87.1 116.6 69.1 90.5 84.5 75.6 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 73.9 91.9 100.2 84.7 93.8 98.9 100.9 84.3 87.3 90.7 

Dibenzofuran 89.5 91.7 109.3 98.5 92.2 111.4 113.8 92.7 90.4 98.8 

4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether 83.0 94.5 98.7 95.7 94.3 94.2 111.4 87.7 90.3 94.4 

Fluorene 85.2 94.9 89.2 102.0 95.5 93.8 121.3 85.7 90.9 95.4 

4-Nitroaniline 77.8 114.8 94.5 129.6 103.6 95.4 *154.1 89.3 87.5 99.1 

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine 82.6 96.7 93.8 92.9 93.4 116.4 97.5 110.9 86.7 96.8 

4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether 85.6 92.9 92.8 91.1 107.6 89.4 118.0 97.5 87.1 95.8 

Hexachlorobenzene 95.4 91.7 92.3 95.4 93.6 83.7 106.8 94.3 90.0 93.7 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 56 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Compound 

Clay Loam Sand Mean 

Low Mid High Low Mid High Low Mid High Rec. 

Pentachlorophenol 68.2 85.9 107.7 53.2 89.8 88.1 96.6 59.8 81.3 81.2 

Phenanthrene 92.1 93.7 93.3 100.0 97.8 113.3 124.4 101.0 89.9 100.6 

Anthracene 101.6 95.0 93.5 92.5 101.8 118.4 123.0 94.5 90.6 101.2 

Carbazole 94.4 99.3 96.6 105.5 96.7 111.4 115.7 83.2 88.9 99.1 

Fluoranthene 109.9 101.4 94.3 111.6 96.6 109.6 123.2 85.4 92.7 102.7 

Pyrene 106.5 105.8 107.6 116.7 90.7 127.5 103.4 95.5 93.2 105.2 

3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 100.0 *492.3 131.4 100.0 *217.6 *167.6 100.0 *748.8 100.0 116.5 

Benzo(a)anthracene 98.1 107.0 98.4 119.3 98.6 104.0 105.0 93.4 89.3 101.5 

Chrysene 100.0 108.5 100.2 116.8 93.0 117.0 106.7 93.6 90.2 102.9 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 106.6 109.9 75.6 121.7 100.7 93.9 106.9 81.9 93.6 99.0 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 102.4 105.2 88.4 125.5 99.4 95.1 144.7 89.2 78.1 103.1 

Benzo(a)pyrene 107.9 105.5 80.8 122.3 97.7 104.6 101.7 86.2 92.0 99.9 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 95.1 105.7 93.8 126.0 105.2 90.4 133.6 82.6 91.9 102.7 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 85.0 102.6 82.0 118.8 100.7 91.9 142.3 71.0 93.1 98.6 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 98.0 0.0 81.2 0.0 33.6 78.6 128.7 83.0 94.2 66.4 

Mean 95.1 94.3 101.0 95.5 96.5 104.1 113.0 100.9 92.5 

*Values greater than 150% were not used to determine the averages, but the 0% values were used. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 57 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 12 

SINGLE LABORATORY ACCURACY AND PRECISION FOR THE EXTRACTION OF PAHs 

FROM A CERTIFIED REFERENCE SEDIMENT EC-1, USING METHOD 3561 

(SFE - SOLID TRAP) 

Compound Certified Value 

(mg/kg) 

SFE Valuea

(mg/kg) 

Percent of 

Certified Value 

SFE 

RSD 

Naphthalene (27.9)b 41.3 ± 3.6 (148) 8.7 

Acenaphthylene (0.8) 0.9 ± 0.1 (112) 11.1 

Acenaphthene (0.2) 0.2 ± 0.01 (100) 0.05 

Fluorene (15.3) 15.6 ± 1.8 (102) 11.5 

Phenanthrene 15.8 ± 1.2 16.1 ± 1.8 102 11.2 

Anthracene (1.3) 1.1 ± 0.2 (88) 18.2 

Fluoranthene 23.2 ± 2.0 24.1 ± 2.1 104 8.7 

Pyrene 16.7 ± 2.0 17.2 ± 1.9 103 11.0 

Benz(a)anthracene 8.7 ± 0.8 8.8 ± 1.0 101 11.4 

Chrysene (9.2) 7.9 ± 0.9 (86) 11.4 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 7.9 ± 0.9 8.5 ± 1.1 108 12.9 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 4.4 ± 0.5 4.1 ± 0.5 91 12.2 

Benzo(a)pyrene 5.3 ± 0.7 5.1 ± 0.6 96 11.8 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 5.7 ± 0.6 5.2 ± 0.6 91 11.5 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 4.9 ± 0.7 4.3 ± 0.5 88 11.6 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene (1.3) 1.1 ± 0.2 (85) 18.2 

 

aRSDs for the SFE values are based on six replicate extractions. 

bValues in parentheses were obtained from, or compared to, Soxhlet extraction results which 

were not certified. 

 Data are taken from Reference 10. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 58 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

TABLE 13 

SINGLE LABORATORY ACCURACY AND PRECISION FOR THE EXTRACTION OF PAHs 

FROM A CERTIFIED REFERENCE SEDIMENT HS-3, USING METHOD 3561 

(SFE - SOLID TRAP) 

Compound Certified Value 

(mg/kg) 

SFE Valuea

(mg/kg) 

Percent of 

Certified Value 

SFE 

RSD 

Naphthalene 9.0 ± 0.7 7.4 ± 0.6 82 8.1 

Acenaphthylene 0.3 ± 0.1 0.4 ± 0.1 133 25.0 

Acenaphthene 4.5 ± 1.5 3.3 ± 0.3 73 9.0 

Fluorene 13.6 ± 3.1 10.4 ± 1.3 77 12.5 

Phenanthrene 85.0 ± 20.0 86.2 ± 9.5 101 11.0 

Anthracene 13.4 ± 0.5 12.1 ± 1.5 90 12.4 

Fluoranthene 60.0 ± 9.0 54.0 ± 6.1 90 11.3 

Pyrene 39.0 ± 9.0 32.7 ± 3.7 84 11.3 

Benz(a)anthracene 14.6 ± 2.0 12.1 ± 1.3 83 10.7 

Chrysene 14.1 ± 2.0 12.0 ± 1.3 85 10.8 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 7.7 ± 1.2 8.4 ± 0.9 109 10.7 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 2.8 ± 2.0 3.2 ± 0.5 114 15.6 

Benzo(a)pyrene 7.4 ± 3.6 6.6 ± 0.8 89 12.1 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 5.0 ± 2.0 4.5 ± 0.6 90 13.3 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 5.4 ± 1.3 4.4 ± 0.6 82 13.6 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 1.3 ± 0.5 1.1 ± 0.3 85 27.3 

 

aRSDs for the SFE values are based on three replicate extractions. 

Data are taken from Reference 10. 
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TABLE 14 

SINGLE LABORATORY ACCURACY AND PRECISION FOR THE EXTRACTION OF PAHs 

FROM A CERTIFIED REFERENCE SOIL SRS103-100, USING METHOD 3561 

(SFE – LIQUID TRAP) 

Compound Certified Value 

(mg/kg) 

SFE Valuea

(mg/kg) 

Percent of 

Certified Value 

SFE 

RSD 

Naphthalene 32.4 ± 8.2 29.55 91 10.5 

2-Methylnaphthalene 62.1 ± 11.5 76.13 122 2.0 

Acenaphthene 632 ± 105 577.28 91 2.9 

Dibenzofuran 307 ± 49 302.25 98 4.1 

Fluorene 492 ± 78 427.15 87 3.0 

Phenanthrene 1618 ± 340 1278.03 79 3.4 

Anthracene 422 ± 49 400.80 95 2.6 

Fluoranthene 1280 ± 220 1019.13 80 4.5 

Pyrene 1033 ± 285 911.82 88 3.1 

Benz(a)anthracene 252 ± 8 225.50 89 4.8 

Chrysene 297 ± 26 283.00 95 3.8 

Benzo(a)pyrene 97.2 ± 17.1 58.28 60 6.5 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene + 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 153 ± 22 130.88 86 10.7 

 

aRSDs for the SFE values are based on four replicate extractions. 

Data are taken from Reference 11. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 60 Revision 5 

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TABLE 15 

SINGLE LABORATORY RECOVERY DATA FOR SPE (METHOD 3535) OF 

BASE/NEUTRAL/ACID EXTRACTABLES FROM SPIKED TCLP BUFFERS 

LOW SPIKE LEVEL 

Analyte 

Spike 

Level 

(μg/L) 

Buffer 1 (pH=2.886) Buffer 2 (pH=4.937) 

Recovery (%) RSD Recovery (%) RSD 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 3,750 63 10 63 9 

Hexachloroethane 1,500 55 6 77 4 

Nitrobenzene 1,000 82 10 100 5 

Hexachlorobutadiene 250 65 3 56 4 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 65 89 4 101 5 

Hexachlorobenzene 65 98 5 95 6 

o-Cresol 100,000 83 10 85 5 

m-Cresol* 100,000 86 8 85 3 

p-Cresol* 100,000 * * * * 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 1,000 84 12 95 12 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 200,000 83 11 88 3 

Pentachlorophenol 50,000 82 9 78 9 

 

Results from seven replicate spiked buffer samples.

*In this study, m-cresol and p-cresol co-eluted and were quantified as a mixture of both isomers. 

Data from Reference 12. 
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TABLE 16 

SINGLE LABORATORY RECOVERY DATA FOR SPE (METHOD 3535) OF 

BASE/NEUTRAL/ACID EXTRACTABLES FROM SPIKED TCLP BUFFERS 

HIGH SPIKE LEVEL 

Analyte 

Spike 

Level 

(μg/L) 

Buffer 1 (pH=2.886) Buffer 2 (pH=4.937) 

Recovery (%) RSD Recovery (%) RSD 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 15,000 63 10 63 9 

Hexachloroethane 6,000 54 7 46 7 

Nitrobenzene 4,000 81 4 81 13 

Hexachlorobutadiene 1,000 81 5 70 11 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 260 99 8 98 3 

Hexachlorobenzene 260 89 8 91 9 

o-Cresol* 400,000 92 15 90 4 

m-Cresol* 400,000 95 8 82 6 

p-Cresol* 400,000 82 14 84 7 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 4,000 93 12 104 12 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 800,000 93 14 97 23 

Pentachlorophenol 200,000 84 9 73 8 

 

Results from seven replicate spiked buffer samples.

*In this study, recoveries of these compounds were determined from triplicate spikes of the 

individual compounds into separate buffer solutions. 

Data from Reference 12. 

 
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TABLE 17 

RECOVERY DATA FROM THREE LABORATORIES FOR SPE (METHOD 3535) 

OF BASE/NEUTRAL/ACID/EXTRACTABLES FROM SPIKED TCLP LEACHATES FROM SOIL 

SAMPLES 

Buffer 1 pH=2.886 Lab 1 Lab 2 Lab 3 

Analyte 

Spike 

Level 

(μg/L)* %R RSD n %R RSD n %R RSD n 

o-Cresol 200,000 86 8 7 35.3 0.7 3 7.6 6 3 

m-Cresol** -- 77 8 7 -- -- -- -- -- -- 

p-Cresol** -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 7.7 11 3 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 2,000 106 6 7 96.3 3.9 3 44.8 5 3 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 400,000 93 3 7 80.5 4.5 3 63.3 11 3 

Pentachlorophenol 100,000 79 2 7 33.8 12.2 3 29.2 13 3 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 7,500 51 5 7 81.3 5.3 3 19.2 7 3 

Hexachloroethane 3,000 50 5 7 66.2 2.1 3 12.6 11 3 

Nitrobenzene 2,000 80 8 7 76.3 5.3 3 63.9 12 3 

Hexachlorobutadiene 500 53 8 7 63.3 4.8 3 9.6 9 3 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 130 89 8 7 35.7 2.6 3 58.2 17 3 

Hexachlorobenzene 130 84 21 7 92.3 1.6 3 71.7 9 3 

(continued) 
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TABLE 17 

(continued) 

Buffer 2 pH=4.937 Lab 1 Lab 2 Lab 3 

Analyte 

Spike 

Level 

(μg/L)* %R RSD n %R RSD n %R RSD n 

o-Cresol 200,000 97 13 7 37.8 4.5 3 6.1 24 3 

m-Cresol** -- 83 4 7 -- -- -- 6.0 25 3 

p-Cresol** -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 2,000 104 4 7 91.7 8.0 3 37.7 25 3 

2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 400,000 94 4 7 85.2 0.4 3 64.4 10 3 

Pentachlorophenol 100,000 109 11 7 41.9 28.2 3 36.6 32 3 

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 7,500 50 5 7 79.7 1.0 3 26.5 68 3 

Hexachloroethane 3,000 51 3 7 64.9 2.0 3 20.3 90 3 

Nitrobenzene 2,000 80 4 7 79.0 2.3 3 59.4 6 3 

Hexachlorobutadiene 500 57 5 7 60 3.3 3 16.6 107 3 

2,4-Dinitrotoluene 130 86 6 7 38.5 5.2 3 62.2 6 3 

Hexachlorobenzene 130 86 7 7 91.3 0.9 3 75.5 5 3 

* 250-mL aliquots of leachate were spiked. Lab 1 spiked at one-half these levels. 

** m-Cresol and p-Cresol co-elute. Lab 1 and Lab 3 reported o-Cresol and the sum of m- and pCresol. Lab 2 reported the sum of all three isomers of Cresol. 

Data from Reference 12. 
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TABLE 18 

SINGLE LABORATORY PAH ANALYSIS DATA FROM: 

 A REAL SOIL CONTAMINATED WITH CREOSOTE, USING METHOD 3546 

(MICROWAVE EXTRACTION) 

Compound Concentration (μg/kg) RSD (%) REAC values (μg/kg)

Naphthalene 2,170 12.4 710,000 

2-Methylnaphthalene 28,710 3.1 N/R 

1-Methylnaphthalene 33,180 2.4 N/R 

Biphenyl 13,440 6.0 N/R 

2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene 52,990 3.8 N/R 

Acenaphthylene 16,320 3.1 21,000 

Acenaphthene 801,210 6.0 1,700,000 

Fluorene 789,980 3.4 990,000 

Phenanthrene 1,627,480 0.7 3,300,00 

Anthracene 346,010 4.0 360,000 

Benzo(a)anthracene 300,380 2.7 310,000 

Fluoranthene 1,331,690 1.6 1,600,000 

Pyrene 1,037,710 3.0 1,100,000 

Chrysene 293,200 3.4 320,000 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 152,000 3.8 140,000 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 127,740 3.6 130,000 

Benzo(e)pyrene 87,610 3.9 N/R 

Benzo(a)pyrene 128,330 3.9 110,000 

Perylene 35,260 4.3 N/R 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 63,900 5.0 25,000 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 17,290 6.9 N/R 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 42,270 6.9 20,000 

n = 4 

Soil samples obtained from U.S. EPA Emergency Response Center archive bank through their 

Response Engineering and Analytical Contract (REAC) laboratory (Edison, NJ). The standard 

Soxhlet extraction procedures were performed by REAC three years earlier; this long storage 

period is believed to account for the low naphthalene recovery data in the present study. 

REAC data labeled N/R = not reported 
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TABLE 19 

SINGLE LABORATORY PAH RECOVERY DATA FROM: 

 HS-5 MARINE SEDIMENT MATERIALS, USING METHOD 3546 

(MICROWAVE EXTRACTION) 

Compound Certified 

Value 

(μg/kg) 

Confidence 

Interval 

(μg/kg) 

Recovery 

(%) 

Naphthalene 250 180 - 320 76 

Acenaphthylene 150 * 107 

Acenaphthene 230 130 - 330 61 

Fluorene 400 300 - 500 63 

Phenanthrene 5,200 4,200 - 6,200 72 

Anthracene 380 230 - 530 84 

Fluoranthene 8,400 5,800 - 10,000 81 

Pyrene 5,800 4,000 - 7,600 69 

Benzo(a)anthracene 2,900 1,700 - 4,100 53 

Chrysene 2,800 1,900 - 3,700 76 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 2,000 1,000 - 3,000 84 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 1,000 600 - 1,400 137 

Benzo(a)pyrene 1,700 900 - 2,500 52 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 1,300 600 - 2,000 63 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 200 100 - 300 125 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 1,300 1000 - 1600 64 

 

n = 3 

* values not certified 

The uncertainties represent 90% confidence intervals. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 66 Revision 5 

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TABLE 20 

SINGLE LABORATORY PAH RECOVERY DATA FROM: 

 HS-4 MARINE SEDIMENT MATERIALS, USING METHOD 3546 

 (MICROWAVE EXTRACTION) 

Compound 

Certified 

Value 

(μg/kg) 

Confidence 

Interval 

(μg/kg) 

Recovery 

(%) 

Naphthalene 150 * 54 

Acenaphthylene 150 * 82 

Acenaphthene 150 * 63 

Fluorene 150 * 81 

Phenanthrene 680 600 - 760 81 

Anthracene 140 70 - 210 108 

Fluoranthene 1250 1,150 - 1,350 84 

Pyrene 940 820 - 1,060 85 

Benzo(a)anthracene 530 470 - 580 78 

Chrysene 650 570 - 730 84 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 700 550 - 850 84 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 360 310 - 410 156 

Benzo(a)pyrene 650 570 - 730 73 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 510 360 - 660 88 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 120 70 - 170 117 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 580 360 - 800 91 

 

n = 3 

* values not certified 

The uncertainties represent 90% confidence intervals. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 67 Revision 5 

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TABLE 21 

SINGLE LABORATORY PAH RECOVERY DATA FROM: 

 HS-3 MARINE SEDIMENT MATERIALS, USING METHOD 3546 

(MICROWAVE EXTRACTION) 

Compound 

Certified 

Value 

(μg/kg) 

Confidence 

Interval 

(μg/kg) 

Recovery 

(%) 

Naphthalene 9,000 8300 - 9,700 61 

Acenaphthylene 300 200 - 400 199 

Acenaphthene 4,500 3,000 - 6,000 80 

Fluorene 13,300 10,200 - 16,400 58 

Phenanthrene 85,000 65000 - 105,000 87

Anthracene 13,400 12,900 - 13,900 47

Fluoranthene 60,000 51,000 - 69,000 91

Pyrene 39,000 30,000 - 48,000 86

Benzo(a)anthracene 14,600 12,600 - 16,600 78

Chrysene 14,100 12,100 - 16,100 91

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 7,700 6,500 - 8,900 101

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 2,800 800 - 4,800 275

Benzo(a)pyrene 7,400 3,000 - 7,000 74

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 5,400 4,100 - 6,700 100

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 1,300 800 - 1,800 118

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 5,000 3,000 - 7,000 99

 

n = 3 

* values not certified 

The uncertainties represent 90% confidence intervals. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 68 Revision 5 

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TABLE 22 

SINGLE LABORATORY PAH RECOVERY DATA FROM: 

SRM 1941 MARINE SEDIMENT MATERIALS, USING METHOD 3546 

(MICROWAVE EXTRACTION) 

Compound 

Certified Value 

(μg/kg) 

Recovery 

(%) 

Naphthalene 1010 97.4 

Fluorene 100 100.0 

Phenanthrene 490 102.0 

Fluoranthene 980 116.7 

Pyrene 810 97.3 

Benzo(a)anthracene 430 89.8 

Chrysene 380 130.3 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 740 95.8 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 360 130.2 

Benzo(e)pyrene 550 81.0 

Benzo(a)pyrene 630 76.0 

Perylene 450 72.4 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 500 126.0 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 110 78.7 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 530 85.2 

 

n = 3 

All RSDs < 10%. 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 69 Revision 5 

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FIGURE 1 

TAILING FACTOR CALCULATION 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 70 Revision 5 

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FIGURE 2 

GAS CHROMATOGRAM OF BASE/NEUTRAL AND ACID CALIBRATION STANDARD 
SW-846 Update V 8270D - 71 Revision 5 

 July 2014 

Appendix A:

Summary of Revisions to Method 8270D (From Revision 4 Feb 2007)

1. Improved overall method formatting for consistency with new SW-846 methods style 

guidance. The format was updated to Microsoft Word .docx. 

2. Many minor editorial and technical revisions were made throughout to improve method 

clarity. 

3. The revision number was changed to 5 and the date published was changed to July 

2014. 

4. This appendix was added showing changes from the previous revision. 

5. Chemical name was changed by the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) on 

November 30, 2007 from Bis(2-chloroisopropyl)ether to Bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)ether 

(common name). This compound is also known as 2,2’-oxybis(1-chloropropane) (CAS 

index name). See the link at http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0407.htm, Section VII for the 

“Revision History” and Section VIII, for “Synonyms” of this chemical. 

6. Updated information on LLOQ and method blank evaluation was included based on 

language found in Method 8000D.