Method 1614A

Brominated Diphenyl Ethers in Water, Soil, 

Sediment, and Tissue by HRGC/HRMS

May 2010
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Water 

Office of Science and Technology

Engineering and Analysis Division (4303T)

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20460

EPA – 821-R-10-005
EPA Method 1614A i May 2010

Method 1614A

Brominated Diphenyl Ethers in Water, Soil, Sediment, 

and Tissue by HRGC/HRMS

May 2010 

Introduction

The Office of Science and Technology (OST) in EPA’s Office of Water developed Method 1614A for use 

in Clean Water Act (CWA) programs. EPA is publishing this method for users who wish to measure 

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and in 2010, EPA expects to publish a proposal in the Federal 

Register for public comment to add this method to other CWA methods published at 40 CFR Part 136. 

EPA Method 1614A was developed to determine polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in 

aqueous, solid, tissue, and multi-phase matrices. These ethers are used as flame retardants. The method 

uses isotope dilution and internal standard high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass 

spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). This revision of Method 1614 resulted from comments received in a peer 

review conducted in September of 2007 and changes to the GC temperature program for the short column 

in Section 10.1. 

Acknowledgments

EPA Method 1614A was developed under EPA contract by CSC, Interface, Inc., and by AXYS 

Analytical Services, Ltd. Sidney, BC, Canada.

Disclaimer

Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for 

use.

Summary of changes between EPA Method 1614A (May 2010) and 1614 (August 

2007) excluding corrections to references and typographical errors

Section 7.10.2.2.1 has been revised to include the word “evaluation” for clarity. 

The following note has been added to Section 10.1: “RTs, RRTs, and RRT limits may differ slightly from 

those in Table 2.” This statement has also been added to the footnotes to Table 2

Section 10.2.1 has been revised to include “PFK.”

Table 8 has been revised to make all lower and upper QC limits ±15% of the theoretical ratio.

Section 4.2.6 has been added to specify that all possible sources of contamination (glassware, vials, caps, 

etc.) should be as clean as possible.

Section 5.4 has been added. “Biosolids samples may contain high concentrations of biohazards, and must 

be handled with gloves and opened in a hood or biological safety cabinet to prevent exposure. Laboratory 

staff should know and observe the safety procedures required in a microbiology laboratory that handles 

pathogenic organisms when handling biosolids samples.”

Sections 6.9 and 10.1 have been expanded to allow use of a short (15-m) column and to clarify 

differences and requirements among the long (30-m) column, a 2-column system, and the short column.
EPA Method 1614A ii May 2010

Section 7.7.2 has been revised to indicate that standard solutions should be stored in the dark at 

approximately 4 °C in screw-capped vials with fluoropolymer-lined caps.

Section 8.4.1 has been revised to indicate the following, “Lipid content, and hence PBDE content, may 

vary depending on which area of fish is taken (e.g. dorsal vs. ventral). The sampler should observe the 

precautions to preclude contamination in Section 5. In particular, tissue should be processed in a dustfree zone because dust may contain high levels of PBDEs.”

Section 9.1.2.1 has been revised to require a laboratory to achieve MDLs no greater than five times the 

MDLs in this method.

Section 9.5.2 has been revised to require BDE congener concentrations no greater than two times the ML 

in blanks.

Operating conditions for the long and short column have been further defined in Sections 10.1, 10.1.1, 

and 10.1.3.

The exact injection volume requirement in Section 10.3 has been edited to allow for an injection volume 

of 5 μL into the short column.

In Section 14.2, the volume necessary to bring an extract back to the original 20 μL volume when 

evaporative loss has occurred has been expanded to allow for a 5 μL injection volume with the short 

column.

A sentence was added to Section 11.4.2.1 to require weighing the sample bottle after emptying, and to 

determine the volume using the density of water.

Section 13.4.6 has been revised to state the following, “Elute the BDEs with methylene chloride:hexane 

(50:50 v/v) and collect the eluate. A higher percent methylene chloride solution may be required for more 

highly activated alumina.”

The following note has been added to Section 14, “It has been reported that decabromodiphenylethane 

elutes approximately 3 minutes after DeBDE, has m/z’s in common with 13C12-DeBDE, and may interfere 

in a subsequent run. If known or suspected to be present, sufficient time should be allowed for 

decabromodiphenylethane to elute.”

Section 17.2.1 has been changed to clarify that concentrations of native compounds other than those in the 

Native Toxics/LOC standard, in the Labeled cleanup standard, and in the Labeled injection internal 

standard (except for labeled CB 178) should be determined using the response factors from Section 10.5 

or Section 15.4.2.2.

Section 17.6.5 has been added to provide information on the use of optional data qualifier flags for 

reporting coeluting congeners.

Reference 11 was replaced with, “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20th 

Edition, published jointly by American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, 

and Water Environment Federation, Washington, DC, 2005.”

Tables 10-12 have been added to provide additional data for the short column and TPI options.
EPA Method 1614A iii May 2010

Summary of changes between EPA Method 1614 (August 2007) and 1614 (August 

2003) excluding corrections to references and typographical errors

Section 6.9.2 and its subsections have been added to provide the specifications and parameters for the gas 

chromatograph short column.

Section 10.1.3 has been added to give diameters of the short column, the experimental conditions for the 

injector and the GC temperature program.

Section 15.4.3 has been added to specify the use of a DeBDE breakdown test when using the TPI and/or 

short column. 

Please address your questions or comments to:

Richard Reding, Brian Englert or CWA Methods Team 

Engineering and Analytical Support Branch/EAD (4303T)

Office of Science and Technology

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, DC 20460

E-mail: OSTCWAMethods@epa.gov

EPA Method 1614A 1 May 2010

Method 1614A

Brominated Diphenyl Ether Congeners in Water, Soil, Sediment, and 

Tissue by HRGC/HRMS

May 2010

1.0 Scope and application

1.1 EPA Method 1614A (“Method 1614A”; the “method”) is for determination of brominated 

diphenyl ether (BDE) congeners in water, soil, sediment, biosolids, tissue, and other sample 

matrices by high resolution gas chromatography combined with high resolution mass 

spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS).

1.1.1 The 209 BDE congeners are listed in Table 1. The 8 congeners of primary interest 

(“BDEs of primary interest”; Reference 1) are shown in boldface type. Congeners that 

have been reported as being found in environmental samples (References 2 and 3) are 

shown in italics. Congeners that allow determination of BDEs at those levels of 

bromination not found in environmental samples (References 2 and 3) are shown by 

footnote in Table 1. Other congeners in Table 1 may be determined as standards become 

available and as needs arise. Data are provided in Tables 2-6 for congeners that have 

been tested.

1.1.2 This method can also be used to test for other brominated flame retardants (BFR) and 

brominated organic compounds in the event that new products come on the market.

1.2 This method is based on the analytical techniques in EPA Method 1668A (Reference 4).

1.3 The detection and quantitation limits in this method are usually dependent on the level of 

interferences and laboratory backgrounds rather than instrumental limitations. The method 

detection limits and (MDLs) and minimum levels of quantitation (MLs) in Table 2 are the levels 

at which the BDEs can be determined with laboratory contamination present. The estimated 

MDL for BDE 99 in water is 5 pg/L (picograms-per-liter [pg/L]; parts-per-quadrillion [ppq]) with 

no interferences present.

1.4 The GC/MS portions of this method are for use only by analysts experienced with HRGC/HRMS 

or under the close supervision of such qualified persons. Each laboratory that uses this method 

must demonstrate the ability to generate acceptable results using the procedure in Section 9.2.

1.5 This method is “performance-based” which means that you may make modifications without 

additional EPA review to improve performance (e.g., overcome interferences, or improve the 

sensitivity, accuracy or precision of the results) provided that you meet all performance criteria in 

this Method. Requirements for establishing equivalency are in Section 9.1.2, and include 

9.1.2.2.3 – explaining the reason for your modifications. For CWA uses, additional flexibility is 

described at 40 CFR 136.6. You must document changes in performance, sensitivity, selectivity, 

precision, recovery, etc., that result from modifications within the scope of Part 136.6, and 

Section 9 of this Method, and how these modifications compare to the specifications in this 

Method. Changes outside the scope of Part 136.6 and Section 9 of this Method may require prior 

review or approval.
EPA Method 1614A 2 May 2010

2.0 Summary of Method

Flow charts that summarize procedures for sample preparation, extraction, and analysis are given in 

Figure 1 for aqueous and solid samples, Figure 2 for multi-phase samples, and Figure 3 for tissue 

samples.

2.1 Extraction, concentration, and cleanup

2.1.1 Aqueous samples (samples containing less than one percent solids) – Stable isotopically 

labeled analogs of the BDEs are spiked into a 1-L sample. The sample is extracted using 

solid-phase extraction (SPE), separatory funnel extraction (SFE), or continuous 

liquid/liquid extraction (CLLE).

2.1.2 Solid, semi-solid, and multi-phase samples (excluding tissue) – The labeled compounds 

are spiked into a sample containing 10 g (dry weight) of solids. Samples containing 

multiple phases are pressure filtered and any aqueous liquid is discarded. Coarse solids 

are ground or homogenized. Any non-aqueous liquid from multi-phase samples is 

combined with the solids and extracted in a Soxhlet/Dean-Stark extractor.

2.1.3 Fish and other tissue – A 20-g aliquot of sample is homogenized, and a 10-g aliquot is 

spiked with the labeled compounds. The sample is mixed with anhydrous sodium sulfate, 

dried for a minimum of 30 minutes, and extracted for 18-24 hours using methylene 

chloride in a Soxhlet extractor. The extract is evaporated to dryness, and the lipid content 

is determined.

2.2 After extraction, a labeled cleanup standard is spiked into the extract and the extract is 

concentrated. Tissue extracts are first cleaned up using an anthropogenic isolation column 

(Section 7.5.3), and all extracts are cleaned up using back-extraction with sulfuric acid and/or 

base, and gel permeation, silica gel, and/or Florisil or alumina chromatography, as required.

2.3 After cleanup, the extract is concentrated to 20 L and labeled injection internal standards are 

added. An aliquot of the extract is injected into the gas chromatograph (GC). The analytes are 

separated by the GC and detected by a high-resolution (>5000) mass spectrometer. Two exact 

m/z’s are monitored at each level of bromination (LOB) throughout a pre-determined retention 

time window.

2.4 An individual BDE congener is identified by comparing the GC retention time and ion-abundance 

ratio of two exact m/z’s with the corresponding retention time of an authentic standard and the 

theoretical or acquired ion-abundance ratio of the two exact m/z’s.

2.5 Quantitative analysis is performed in one of two ways using selected ion current profile (SICP) 

areas:

2.5.1 For a BDE of primary interest and for other congeners of interest for which a labeled 

analog is available, the GC/MS is multi-point calibrated and the concentration is 

determined using the isotope dilution technique.

2.5.2 For a BDE of primary interest for which a labeled analog is not available and for a 

congener of interest for which a multi-point calibration is desired, the GC/MS is multipoint calibrated and the concentration is determined using the internal standard technique.
EPA Method 1614A 3 May 2010

2.5.3 For other congeners for which a multi-point calibration is not necessary, the GC/MS is 

calibrated at a single concentration and the concentration is determined using the internal 

standard technique.

2.5.4 For labeled analogs of the BDEs quantitated by isotope dilution (Section 2.5.1) and for 

the cleanup standards, the GC/MS is calibrated at a single concentration and the 

concentrations of these labeled compounds in samples are determined using the internal 

standard technique.

2.6 The quality of the analysis is assured through reproducible calibration and testing of the 

extraction, cleanup, and HRGC/HRMS systems.

2.7 For laboratories wishing to use the short column and temperature programmable injector (TPI), 

Tables 10-12 have been added to provide MDL, retention time, retention time windows, and 

accuracy and precision data obtained when using the TPI and short column. When using the short 

column and TPI use the MDLs in Table 10, the retention times, relative retention times, retention 

time windows and ion abundance ratios in Table 11 to replace other data found elsewhere in this 

method. Table 12 should not be used to replace existing QA/QC requirements. 

3.0 Definitions

Definitions are given in the glossary at the end of this method.

4.0 Contamination and interferences

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

baselines, and/or lock-mass suppression causing misinterpretation of chromatograms. Specific 

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

required. Where possible, reagents are cleaned by extraction or solvent rinse. Environmentally 

abundant BDEs have shown to be difficult to completely eliminate from the laboratory at levels 

lower than the MDLs in this method (Table 2).

4.2 Proper cleaning of glassware is extremely important, because glassware may not only 

contaminate the samples but may also remove the analytes of interest by adsorption on the glass 

surface.

4.2.1 Glassware should be rinsed with solvent and washed with a detergent solution as soon 

after use as is practical. Sonication of glassware containing a detergent solution for 

approximately 30 seconds may aid in cleaning. Glassware with removable parts, 

particularly separatory funnels with fluoropolymer stopcocks, must be disassembled prior 

to detergent washing.

4.2.2 After detergent washing, glassware should be rinsed immediately, first with methanol, 

then with hot tap water. The tap water rinse is followed by another methanol rinse, then 

acetone, and then methylene chloride.

4.2.3 Baking of glassware in a kiln or other high temperature furnace (300-500 °C) may be 

warranted after particularly dirty samples are encountered. The kiln or furnace should be 

vented to prevent laboratory contamination by BDE vapors. Baking should be 
EPA Method 1614A 4 May 2010

minimized, as repeated baking of glassware may cause active sites on the glass surface 

that may irreversibly adsorb BDEs.

4.2.4 Immediately prior to use, the Soxhlet apparatus should be pre-extracted for 

approximately 3 hours with the solvent to be used for the extraction (see Sections 12.3.1-

12.3.3). Other extraction apparatus (Section 6.4) should also be rinsed prior to use.

4.2.5 A separate set of glassware may be necessary to effectively preclude contamination when 

low-level samples are analyzed.

4.2.6 To aid in elimination of BDE 209 background all possible sources of contamination 

(glassware, vials, caps, etc.) should be as clean as possible.

4.3 All materials used in the analysis must be demonstrated to be free from interferences by running 

reference matrix method blanks (Section 9.5) initially and with each sample batch (samples 

started through the extraction process on a given 12-hour shift, to a maximum of 20 samples).

4.3.1 The reference matrix must simulate, as closely as possible, the sample matrix under test. 

Ideally, the reference matrix should not contain the BDEs in detectable amounts, but 

should contain potential interferents in the concentrations expected to be found in the 

samples to be analyzed.

4.3.2 When a reference matrix that simulates the sample matrix under test is not available, 

reagent water (Section 7.6.1) can be used to simulate water; playground sand (Section 

7.6.2) or white quartz sand (Section 7.3.2) can be used to simulate soil; filter paper 

(Section 7.6.3) can be used to simulate paper and similar materials; and corn oil (Section 

7.6.4) can be used to simulate tissue.

4.4 Interferences co-extracted from samples will vary considerably from source to source, depending 

on the diversity of the site being sampled. Interfering compounds may be present at 

concentrations several orders of magnitude higher than the BDEs. Because low levels of BDEs 

are measured by this method, the elimination of interferences is essential. The cleanup steps 

given in Section 13 can be used to reduce or eliminate these interferences and thereby permit 

reliable determination of the BDEs at the levels shown in Table 2.

4.5 Each piece of reusable glassware should be numbered to associate that glassware with the 

processing of a particular sample. This will assist the laboratory in tracking possible sources of 

contamination for individual samples, identifying glassware associated with highly contaminated 

samples that may require extra cleaning, and determining when glassware should be discarded.

4.6 Contamination of calibration solutions – The MDLs and MLs in Table 2 are the levels that can be 

achieved with normal laboratory backgrounds present. Many of the MLs are greater than the 

equivalent concentrations of the calibration solutions. In order to prevent contamination of the 

calibration solutions with the backgrounds allowed by the MLs, the calibration solutions must be 

prepared in an area free from BDE contamination using glassware free from contamination. If 

these requirements cannot be met or are difficult to meet in the laboratory, the laboratory should 

prepare the calibration solutions in a contamination-free facility or have a vendor prepare the 

calibration standards and guarantee freedom from contamination.

4.7 Cleanup of tissue – The natural lipid content of tissue can interfere in the analysis of tissue 

samples for the BDEs. The lipid contents of different species and portions of tissue can vary 

widely. Lipids are soluble to varying degrees in various organic solvents and may be present in 
EPA Method 1614A 5 May 2010

sufficient quantity to overwhelm the column chromatographic cleanup procedures used for 

cleanup of sample extracts. Lipids must be removed by the anthropogenic isolation column 

procedure in Section 13.5, followed by the gel permeation chromatography procedure in Section 

13.2. Florisil (Section 13.6) and/or alumina (Section 13.4) are recommended as additional 

cleanup steps.

5.0 Safety

5.1 The toxicity or carcinogenicity of each chemical used in this method has not been precisely 

determined; however, each compound should be treated as a potential health hazard. Exposure to 

these compounds should be reduced to the lowest possible level.

5.1.1 BDEs are under investigation as suspected human or mammalian carcinogens. On the 

basis of the available toxicological and physical properties of the BDEs, pure standards 

should be handled only by highly trained personnel thoroughly familiar with handling 

and cautionary procedures and the associated risks.

5.1.2 It is recommended that the laboratory purchase dilute standard solutions of the analytes in 

this method. However, if primary solutions are prepared, they must be prepared in a 

hood, and a NIOSH/MESA approved toxic gas respirator must be worn when high 

concentrations are handled.

5.2 The laboratory is responsible for maintaining a current awareness file of OSHA regulations 

regarding the safe handling of the chemicals specified in this method. A reference file of material 

safety data sheets (MSDSs) should also be made available to all personnel involved in these 

analyses. The laboratory should perform personal hygiene monitoring of each analyst who uses 

this method and the results of this monitoring be made available to the analyst. Additional 

information on laboratory safety can be found in References 5-8. The references and 

bibliography at the end of Reference 7 are particularly comprehensive in dealing with the general 

subject of laboratory safety.

5.3 The pure BDEs and samples suspected to contain these compounds are handled using essentially 

the same techniques employed in handling radioactive or infectious materials. Well-ventilated, 

controlled access laboratories are required. Assistance in evaluating the health hazards of 

particular laboratory conditions may be obtained from certain consulting laboratories and from 

State Departments of Health or Labor, many of which have an industrial health service. Each 

laboratory must develop a strict safety program for handling these compounds. The practices in 

EPA Method 613 (40 CFR 136, Appendix A, Section 4.1) for handling chlorinated dibenzo-pdioxins and dibenzofurans (CDDs/CDFs) are also recommended for handling the BDEs.

5.3.1 Facility – When finely divided samples (dusts, soils, dry chemicals) are handled, all 

operations (including removal of samples from sample containers, weighing, transferring, 

and mixing) should be performed in a glove box demonstrated to be leak tight or in a 

fume hood demonstrated to have adequate air flow. Gross losses to the laboratory 

ventilation system must not be allowed. Handling of the dilute solutions normally used 

in analytical and animal work presents no inhalation hazards except in the case of an 

accident.

5.3.2 Protective equipment – Disposable plastic gloves, apron or lab coat, safety glasses or 

mask, and a glove box or fume hood adequate for radioactive work should be used. 

During analytical operations that may give rise to aerosols or dusts, personnel should 
EPA Method 1614A 6 May 2010

wear respirators equipped with activated carbon filters. Eye protection (preferably full 

face shields) must be worn while working with exposed samples or pure analytical 

standards. Latex gloves are commonly used to reduce exposure of the hands. When 

handling samples suspected or known to contain high concentrations of the BDEs, an 

additional set of gloves can also be worn beneath the latex gloves.

5.3.3 Training – Workers must be trained in the proper method of removing contaminated 

gloves and clothing without contacting the exterior surfaces.

5.3.4 Personal hygiene – Hands and forearms should be washed thoroughly after each 

manipulation and before breaks (coffee, lunch, and shift).

5.3.5 Confinement – Isolated work areas posted with signs, segregated glassware and tools, and 

plastic absorbent paper on bench tops will aid in confining contamination.

5.3.6 Effluent vapors – The effluent of the sample splitter from the gas chromatograph (GC) 

and from roughing pumps on the mass spectrometer (MS) should pass through either a 

column of activated charcoal or be bubbled through a trap containing oil or high-boiling

alcohols to condense BDE vapors.

5.3.7 Waste Handling – Good technique includes minimizing contaminated waste. Plastic bag 

liners should be used in waste cans. Janitors and other personnel should be trained in the 

safe handling of waste.

5.3.8 Decontamination

5.3.8.1 Decontamination of personnel – Use any mild soap with plenty of scrubbing 

action.

5.3.8.2 Glassware, tools, and surfaces – An isopropanol solution is a less toxic 

solvent that should be effective in removing BDEs. Satisfactory cleaning

may be accomplished by rinsing with ethanol, then washing with detergent 

and water. If glassware is first rinsed with solvent, the wash water may be 

disposed of in the sewer. Given the cost of disposal, it is prudent to 

minimize solvent wastes.

5.3.9 Laundry – Clothing known to be contaminated should be collected in plastic bags. 

Persons that convey the bags and launder the clothing should be advised of the hazard 

and trained in proper handling. The clothing may be put into a washing machine without 

contact if the launderer knows of the potential problem. The machine should be run 

through a cycle before being used again for other clothing.

5.3.10 Wipe tests – A useful method of determining cleanliness of work surfaces and tools is to 

perform a wipe test of the surface suspected of being contaminated.

5.3.10.1 Using a piece of filter paper moistened with ethanol or other solvent, wipe an 

area approximately 10 x 10 cm.

5.3.10.2 Extract and analyze the wipe by GC with an electron capture detector (ECD) 

or by this method.
EPA Method 1614A 7 May 2010

5.3.10.3 Using the area wiped (e.g., 10 x 10 cm = 0.01 m2), calculate the 

concentration in μg/m2. A concentration less than 1 μg/m2indicates 

acceptable cleanliness; anything higher warrants further cleaning. More than 

100 μg/m2constitutes an acute hazard and requires prompt cleaning before 

further use of the equipment or work space, and indicates that unacceptable 

work practices have been employed.

5.4 Biosolids samples may contain high concentrations of biohazards, and must be handled with 

gloves and opened in a hood or biological safety cabinet to prevent exposure. Laboratory staff 

should know and observe the safety procedures required in a microbiology laboratory that 

handles pathogenic organisms when handling biosolids samples.

6.0 Apparatus and materials

Note: Brand names, suppliers, and part numbers are for illustration purposes only and no endorsement 

is implied. Equivalent performance may be achieved using apparatus and materials other than those 

specified here. Meeting the performance requirements of this method is the responsibility of the 

laboratory.

6.1 Sampling equipment for discrete or composite sampling

6.1.1 Sample bottles and caps

6.1.1.1 Liquid samples (waters, sludges and similar materials containing 5 percent 

solids or less) – Sample bottle, amber glass, 1.1-L minimum, with screw cap.

6.1.1.2 Solid samples (soils, sediments, sludges, paper pulps, filter cake, compost, 

and similar materials that contain more than 5 percent solids) – Sample 

bottle, wide-mouth, amber glass, 100-mL minimum.

6.1.1.3 If amber bottles are not available, samples must be protected from light.

6.1.1.4 Bottle caps – Threaded to fit sample bottles. Caps must be lined with 

fluoropolymer.

6.1.1.5 Cleaning

6.1.1.5.1 Bottles are detergent water washed, then solvent rinsed before 

use.

6.1.1.5.2 Liners are detergent water washed and rinsed with reagent water 

(Section 7.6.1).

6.1.2 Compositing equipment – Automatic or manual compositing system incorporating glass 

containers cleaned per the bottle cleaning procedure above. Only glass or fluoropolymer 

tubing must be used. If the sampler uses a peristaltic pump, a minimum length of 

compressible silicone rubber tubing may be used in the pump only. Before use, the 

tubing must be thoroughly rinsed with methanol, followed by repeated rinsing with 

reagent water to minimize sample contamination. An integrating flow meter is used to 

collect proportional composite samples.
EPA Method 1614A 8 May 2010

6.2 Equipment for glassware cleaning

Note: If blanks from bottles or other glassware or with fewer cleaning steps than required above show 

no detectable BDE contamination, unnecessary cleaning steps and equipment may be eliminated.

6.2.1 Laboratory sink with overhead fume hood

6.2.2 Kiln – Capable of reaching 450 °C within 2 hours and maintaining 450-500 °C within ±

10 °C, with temperature controller and safety switch (Cress Manufacturing Co, Santa Fe 

Springs, CA, B31H, X31TS, or equivalent). See the precautions in Section 4.2.3.

6.3 Equipment for sample preparation

6.3.1 Laboratory fume hood of sufficient size to contain the sample preparation equipment 

listed below.

6.3.2 Glove box (optional)

6.3.3 Tissue homogenizer – VirTis Model 45 Macro homogenizer (American Scientific 

Products H-3515, or equivalent) with stainless steel Macro-shaft and Turbo-shear blade.

6.3.4 Meat grinder – Hobart, or equivalent, with 3- to 5-mm holes in inner plate.

6.3.5 Equipment for determining percent moisture

6.3.5.1 Oven – Capable of maintaining a temperature of 110 ± 5 °C

6.3.5.2 Desiccator

6.3.6 Balances

6.3.6.1 Analytical – Capable of weighing 0.1 mg

6.3.6.2 Top loading – Capable of weighing 10 mg

6.4 Extraction apparatus

6.4.1 Water samples

6.4.1.1 pH meter, with combination glass electrode

6.4.1.2 pH paper, wide range (Hydrion Papers, or equivalent)

6.4.1.3 Graduated cylinder, 1-L capacity

6.4.1.4 Liquid/liquid extraction – Separatory funnels, 250-, 500-, and 2000-mL, with 

fluoropolymer stopcocks

6.4.1.5 Solid-phase extraction

6.4.1.5.1 Filtration apparatus, 1-L, including glass funnel, frit support, 

clamp, adapter, stopper, filtration flask, and vacuum tubing 
EPA Method 1614A 9 May 2010

(Figure 4). For wastewater samples, the apparatus should accept 

90 or 144 mm disks. For drinking water or other samples 

containing low solids, smaller disks may be used.

6.4.1.5.2 Vacuum source – Capable of maintaining 25 in. Hg, equipped 

with shutoff valve and vacuum gauge

6.4.1.5.3 Glass-fiber filter – Whatman GMF 150 (or equivalent), 1 micron 

pore size, to fit filtration apparatus in Section 6.4.1.5.1

6.4.1.5.4 Solid-phase extraction disk containing octadecyl (C18) bonded 

silica uniformly enmeshed in an inert matrix – Fisher Scientific 

14-378F (or equivalent), to fit filtration apparatus in Section 

6.4.1.5.1

6.4.1.6 Continuous liquid/liquid extraction (CLLE) – Fluoropolymer or glass 

connecting joints and stopcocks without lubrication, 1.5-2 L capacity 

(Hershberg-Wolf Extractor, Cal-Glass, Costa Mesa, California, or 

equivalent).

6.4.2 Soxhlet/Dean-Stark (SDS) extractor (Figure 5 and Reference 9) for filters and 

solid/sludge samples

6.4.2.1 Soxhlet – 50-mm ID, 200-mL capacity with 500-mL flask (Cal-Glass LG6900, or equivalent, except substitute 500-mL round-bottom flask for 300-

mL flat-bottom flask)

6.4.2.2 Thimble – 43 x 123 to fit Soxhlet (Cal-Glass LG-6901-122, or equivalent)

6.4.2.3 Moisture trap – Dean-Stark or Barrett with fluoropolymer stopcock, to fit 

Soxhlet

6.4.2.4 Heating mantle – Hemispherical, to fit 500-mL round-bottom flask (CalGlass LG-8801-112, or equivalent)

6.4.2.5 Variable transformer – Powerstat (or equivalent), 110-volt, 10-amp

6.4.3 Beakers – 400- to 500-mL

6.4.4 Spatulas – Stainless steel

6.5 Filtration apparatus

6.5.1 Pyrex glass wool – Solvent-extracted using a Soxhlet or SDS extractor for 3 hours 

minimum

6.5.2 Glass funnel – 125- to 250-mL

6.5.3 Glass-fiber filter paper – Whatman GF/D (or equivalent), to fit glass funnel in Section 

6.5.2.
EPA Method 1614A 10 May 2010

6.5.4 Drying column – 15- to 20-mm ID Pyrex chromatographic column equipped with coarseglass frit or glass-wool plug

6.5.5 Buchner funnel – 15-cm

6.5.6 Glass-fiber filter paper for Buchner funnel above

6.5.7 Filtration flasks – 1.5- to 2.0-L, with side arm

6.5.8 Pressure filtration apparatus – Millipore YT30 142 HW, or equivalent

6.6 Centrifuge apparatus

6.6.1 Centrifuge – Capable of rotating 500-mL centrifuge bottles or 15-mL centrifuge tubes at 

5,000 rpm minimum

6.6.2 Centrifuge bottles – 500-mL, with screw-caps, to fit centrifuge

6.6.3 Centrifuge tubes – 12- to 15-mL, with screw-caps, to fit centrifuge

6.7 Cleanup apparatus

6.7.1 Automated gel permeation chromatograph (Analytical Biochemical Labs, Inc, Columbia, 

MO, Model GPC Autoprep 1002, or equivalent)

6.7.1.1 Column – 600-700 mm long x 25 mm ID glass, packed with 70 g of 200-400 

mesh SX-3 Bio-beads (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Richmond, CA, or equivalent)

6.7.1.2 Syringe – 10-mL, with Luer fitting

6.7.1.3 Syringe filter holder – stainless steel, and glass-fiber or fluoropolymer filters 

(Gelman 4310, or equivalent)

6.7.1.4 UV detectors – 254-nm, preparative or semi-preparative flow cell (Isco, Inc., 

Type 6; Schmadzu, 5-mm path length; Beckman-Altex 152W, 8μL microprep flow cell, 2-mm path; Pharmacia UV-1, 3-mm flow cell; LDC MiltonRoy UV-3, monitor #1203; or equivalent)

6.7.2 Pipets

6.7.2.1 Disposable, Pasteur, 150-mm long x 5-mm ID (Fisher Scientific 13-678-6A, 

or equivalent)

6.7.2.2 Disposable, serological, 50-mL (8- to 10- mm ID)

6.7.3 Glass chromatographic columns

6.7.3.1 150-mm long x 8-mm ID, (Kontes K-420155, or equivalent) with coarseglass frit or glass-wool plug and 250-mL reservoir

6.7.3.2 200-mm long x 15-mm ID, with coarse-glass frit or glass-wool plug and 250-

mL reservoir
EPA Method 1614A 11 May 2010

6.7.3.3 300-mm long x 22-mm ID, with coarse-glass frit, 300-mL reservoir, and 

glass or fluoropolymer stopcock

6.7.4 Oven – For baking and storage of absorbents, capable of maintaining a constant 

temperature (± 5 °C ) in the range of 105-250 °C

6.8 Concentration apparatus

6.8.1 Rotary evaporator – Buchi/Brinkman-American Scientific No. E5045-10 or equivalent, 

equipped with a variable temperature water bath

6.8.1.1 Vacuum source for rotary evaporator equipped with shutoff valve at the 

evaporator and vacuum gauge

6.8.1.2 A recirculating water pump and chiller are recommended, as use of tap water 

for cooling the evaporator wastes large volumes of water and can lead to 

inconsistent performance as water temperatures and pressures vary.

6.8.1.3 Round-bottom flask – 100-mL and 500-mL or larger, with ground-glass 

fitting compatible with the rotary evaporator

6.8.2 Kuderna-Danish (K-D) concentrator

6.8.2.1 Concentrator tube – 10-mL, graduated (Kontes K-570050-1025, or 

equivalent) with calibration verified. Ground-glass stopper (size 19/22 joint) 

is used to prevent evaporation of extracts.

6.8.2.2 Evaporation flask – 500-mL (Kontes K-570001-0500, or equivalent), 

attached to concentrator tube with springs (Kontes K-662750-0012 or 

equivalent)

6.8.2.3 Snyder column – Three-ball macro (Kontes K-503000-0232, or equivalent)

6.8.2.4 Boiling chips

6.8.2.4.1 Glass or silicon carbide – Approximately 10/40 mesh, extracted 

with methylene chloride and baked at 450 °C for one hour 

minimum

6.8.2.4.2 Fluoropolymer (optional) – Extracted with methylene chloride

6.8.2.5 Water bath – Heated, with concentric ring cover, capable of maintaining a 

temperature in the range of 70-100 °C within ± 2 °C, installed in a fume hood

6.8.3 Nitrogen evaporation apparatus – Equipped with water bath controlled in the range of 30-

60 °C (N-Evap, Organomation Associates, Inc., South Berlin, MA, or equivalent), 

installed in a fume hood

6.8.4 Sample vials

6.8.4.1 Amber glass, 2- to 5-mL with fluoropolymer-lined screw-cap
EPA Method 1614A 12 May 2010

6.8.4.2 Glass, 0.3-mL, conical, with fluoropolymer-lined screw or crimp cap

6.9 Gas chromatograph – Must have splitless or on-column injection port for capillary column, 

temperature program with isothermal hold, and must meet all of the performance specifications in 

Sections 10 and 15.4. A gooseneck liner (Restek or equivalent) was commonly used. The injector 

liner should be deactivated. 

6.9.1 GC long column and 2-column system– A single- or two-column system may be used, as 

follows:

6.9.1.1 Long column – 30 ± 5-m long x 0.25 ± 0.02-mm ID; 0.1-μm film; 95% 

methyl, 4% phenyl, 1% vinyl silicone (J&W DB-5ht, or equivalent). The 

column must meet the following specifications:

6.9.1.1.1 The absolute and relative retention times must be approximately 

equal to those in Table 2.

6.9.1.1.2 If the additional congeners listed in Tables 2 and 4 are 

determined, the column must uniquely resolve congener 49 from 

71. Unique resolution means a valley height less than 40 percent 

of the shorter of the two peaks that result when the diluted 

combined congener solution (Section 7.10.2.2.2) is analyzed (see 

Figure 6). If the BDEs of primary interest only are determined, 

there is no column resolution test because these congeners are 

adequately resolved on the DB-5ht column.

6.9.1.1.3 The tailing factor (see Figure 13 in EPA Method 625; 40 CFR 

136, Appendix A) for congener 99L in the CS-3 standard must 

be less than 3.00.

6.9.1.1.4 The retention time for decabromodiphenyl ether (DeBDE) must 

be greater than 48 minutes.

6.9.1.1.5 The column must be replaced when any of the criteria in 

Sections 6.9.1.1.1 to 6.9.1.1.4 are not met.

6.9.1.2 Two-column system – If a two-column system is used, one column to elute 

the mono- through nona- BDEs and another column to elute the DeBDE 

separately, the two-column system must meet the following specifications:

6.9.1.2.1 The retention time for the latest-eluted BDE on the column that 

elutes the mono- through nona- BDEs must be greater than the 

retention time for this compound on the DB-5ht column, as 

shown in Table 2, and the retention time for DeBDE must be 

greater than 10 minutes on the column used for determination of 

DeBDE.

6.9.1.2.2 The column that elutes the mono- through nona- BDEs must 

meet the resolution and tailing factor specifications in Section 

6.9.1.1.2 and the column that elutes DeBDE must meet the 

tailing factor specification (Section 6.9.1.1.3) for DeBDE.
EPA Method 1614A 13 May 2010

6.9.1.2.3 The respective column must be replaced when any of the criteria 

in Sections 6.9.1.2.1 to 6.9.1.2.2 are not met.

6.9.1.3 If an alternate column or column system is used, specifications similar to 

those for the long column or two-column system (Sections 6.9.1.1 to 6.9.1.2) 

must be developed and must be functionally equivalent to those 

specifications.

6.9.2 Short column – Optionally, to prevent breakdown of the octa-, nona-, and decacongeners, a short column and temperature-programmable injector may be used, provided 

that the system then meets the performance specifications in Section 9 and 10. 

6.9.2.1 Short column – 15 ± 1-m long; x 0.25 ± 0.02-mm ID; 0.1-μm film; 95% 

methyl, 4% phenyl, 1% vinyl silicone for high temperature use (J&W DB5ht, or equivalent). Retention time data for the short column are given in 

Table 11.

6.9.2.2 The retention time for decabromodiphenyl ether (DeBDE) must be greater 

than 27 minutes.

6.9.2.3 The column must meet the resolution and tailing factor specifications in 

Sections 6.9.1.1.2 and 6.9.1.1.3. 

6.9.2.4 The column must be replaced when any of the criteria in Sections 6.9.2.2 to 

6.9.2.3 are not met.

6.9.2.5 The absolute retention times must be approximately equal to those in Table 

11.

6.9.2.6 If a column alternate to the short column is used, specifications similar to 

those for the short column (Sections 6.9.2.1 to 6.9.2.3) must be developed 

and must be functionally equivalent to those specifications.

6.10 Mass spectrometer – 28- to 40-eV electron ionization, must be capable of selectively monitoring 

a minimum of 15 exact m/z’s in a single function at high resolution (>5000) during a period less 

than 1.5 seconds, and must meet all of the performance specifications in Section 10.

6.11 GC/MS interface – The mass spectrometer (MS) must be interfaced to the GC such that the end 

of the capillary column terminates within 1 cm of the ion source but does not intercept the 

electron beam.

6.12 Data system – Capable of collecting, recording, storing, and processing MS data.

6.12.1 Data acquisition – The signal at each exact m/z must be collected repetitively throughout 

the monitoring period and stored on a mass storage device.

6.12.2 Response factors and multipoint calibrations – The data system must record and maintain 

lists of response factors (response ratios for isotope dilution) and multipoint calibrations. 

Computations of relative standard deviation (RSD) are used to test calibration linearity. 

Statistics on initial (Section 9.4) and ongoing (Section 15.5.4) performance should be 

computed and maintained, either on the instrument data system, or on a separate 

computer system.
EPA Method 1614A 14 May 2010

7.0 Reagents and standards

7.1 pH adjustment and back-extraction

7.1.1 Potassium hydroxide – Dissolve 20 g reagent grade KOH in 100 mL reagent water.

7.1.2 Sulfuric acid – Reagent grade (specific gravity 1.84)

7.1.3 Hydrochloric acid – Reagent grade, 6N

7.1.4 Sodium chloride – Reagent grade, prepare at 5% (w/v) solution in reagent water

7.2 Solution drying and evaporation

7.2.1 Solution drying – Sodium sulfate, reagent grade, granular, anhydrous (Baker 3375, or 

equivalent), rinsed with methylene chloride (20 mL/g), baked at 400 °C for 1 hour 

minimum, cooled in a desiccator, and stored in a pre-cleaned glass bottle with screw-cap 

that prevents moisture from entering. If, after heating, the sodium sulfate develops a 

noticeable grayish cast (due to the presence of carbon in the crystal matrix), that batch of 

reagent is not suitable for use and should be discarded. Extraction with methylene 

chloride (as opposed to simple rinsing) and baking at a lower temperature may produce 

sodium sulfate that is suitable for use.

7.2.2 Tissue drying – Sodium sulfate, reagent grade, powdered, treated and stored as in Section 

7.2.1

7.2.3 Prepurified nitrogen

7.3 Extraction

7.3.1 Solvents – Acetone, toluene, cyclohexane, hexane, methanol, methylene chloride, 

isooctane, diethyl ether, and nonane; distilled in glass, pesticide quality, lot-certified to be 

free of interferences

Note: Some solvents, e.g., isooctane and nonane, may need to be re-distilled to eliminate BDE 

backgrounds.

7.3.2 White quartz sand, 60/70 mesh – For Soxhlet/Dean-Stark extraction (Aldrich Chemical, 

Cat. No. 27-437-9, or equivalent). Bake at 450 °C for 4 hour minimum.

7.4 GPC calibration solution – Prepare a solution containing 2.5 mg/mL corn oil, 0.05 mg/mL bis(2-

ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP), 0.01 mg/mL methoxychlor, 0.002 mg/mL perylene, and 0.008 

mg/mL sulfur, or at concentrations appropriate to the response of the detector.

Note: At the time of writing of this method, the calibration solution and the dump and collect times for 

BDEs had not been optimized. It may be necessary to include DeBDE in the calibration solution.

7.5 Adsorbents for sample cleanup – Any of the adsorbents listed below may be used for sample 

cleanup. Regardless of the cleanup used, the same quantity and type of adsorbent and the same 

procedure must be used for cleanup of all standards and samples.
EPA Method 1614A 15 May 2010

7.5.1 Silica gel

7.5.1.1 Activated silica gel – Supelco 1-3651 (or equivalent), 100-200 mesh, rinsed 

with methylene chloride, baked at 180 °C for a minimum of 1 hour, cooled in 

a desiccator, and stored in a precleaned glass bottle with screw-cap that 

prevents moisture from entering.

7.5.1.2 Acid silica gel (30% w/w) – Thoroughly mix 44 g of concentrated sulfuric 

acid (Section 7.1.2) with 100 g of activated silica gel (Section 7.5.1.1) in a 

clean container. Break up aggregates with a stirring rod until a uniform 

mixture is obtained. Store in a screw-capped bottle with fluoropolymer-lined 

cap.

7.5.1.3 Basic silica gel – Thoroughly mix 30 g of 1N sodium hydroxide with 100 g 

of activated silica gel (Section 7.5.1.1) in a clean container. Break up 

aggregates with a stirring rod until a uniform mixture is obtained. Store in a 

screw-capped bottle with fluoropolymer-lined cap.

7.5.1.4 Potassium silicate

7.5.1.4.1 Dissolve 56 g of high purity potassium hydroxide (Aldrich, or 

equivalent) in 300 mL of methanol in a 750- to 1000-mL flatbottom flask.

7.5.1.4.2 Add 100 g of activated silica gel (Section 7.5.1.1) and a stirring 

bar, and stir on an explosion-proof hot plate at 60-70 °C for 1-2 

hours.

7.5.1.4.3 Decant the liquid and rinse the potassium silicate twice with 100-

mL portions of methanol, followed by a single rinse with 100 

mL of methylene chloride.

7.5.1.4.4 Place the potassium silicate in an enclosed flow-through 

container and purge dry with high-purity nitrogen to prevent 

contamination from dust. Observe the other contamination 

precautions in Section 5.3.1.

7.5.1.4.5 Activate overnight at 200-250 °C prior to use.

7.5.2 Alumina – Either one of two types of alumina, acid or basic, may be used in the cleanup 

of sample extracts, provided that the laboratory can meet the performance specifications 

for the recovery of labeled compounds in Section 9.3.

7.5.2.1 Acid alumina – Supelco 19996-6C (or equivalent). Activate by heating to 

130 °C for a minimum of 12 hours.

7.5.2.2 Basic alumina – Supelco 19944-6C (or equivalent). Activate by heating to 

600 °C for a minimum of 24 hours. Alternatively, activate by heating in a 

tube furnace at 650 to 700 °C under an air flow rate of approximately 400 

mL/minute. Do not heat over 700 °C, as this can lead to reduced capacity for 

retaining the analytes. Store at 130 °C in a covered flask. Use within five 

days of baking.
EPA Method 1614A 16 May 2010

7.5.3 Anthropogenic isolation column – Pack the column in Section 6.7.3.3 from bottom to top 

with the following:

7.5.3.1 2 g silica gel (Section 7.5.1.1)

7.5.3.2 2 g potassium silicate (Section 7.5.1.4)

7.5.3.3 2 g granular anhydrous sodium sulfate (Section 7.2.1)

7.5.3.4 10 g acid silica gel (Section 7.5.1.2)

7.5.3.5 2 g granular anhydrous sodium sulfate

7.5.4 Florisil column

7.5.4.1 Florisil – PR grade, 60-100 mesh (U.S. Silica Corp, Berkeley Springs, WV, 

or equivalent). Alternatively, prepacked Florisil columns may be used. Use 

the following procedure for Florisil activation and column packing.

7.5.4.1.1 Fill a clean 1- to 2-L bottle 1/2 to 2/3 full with Florisil and place 

in an oven at 130 to 150 °C for a minimum of three days to 

activate the Florisil.

7.5.4.1.2 Immediately prior to use, dry pack a 300-mm x 22-mm ID glass 

column (Section 6.7.3.3) bottom to top with 0.5 to 1.0 cm of 

warm to hot anhydrous sodium sulfate (Section 7.2.1), 10 to 10.5 

cm of warm to hot activated Florisil (Section 7.5.4.1.1), and 1 to 

2 cm of warm to hot anhydrous sodium sulfate. Allow the 

column to cool and wet immediately with 100 mL of n-hexane to 

prevent water from entering.

7.5.4.2 Using the procedure in Section 13.6.3, establish the elution pattern for each 

carton of Florisil or each lot of Florisil columns received.

7.6 Reference matrices – Matrices in which BDEs and interfering compounds are not detected by this

method

7.6.1 Reagent water – Bottled water purchased locally, or prepared by passage through 

activated carbon

7.6.2 High-solids reference matrix – Playground sand or similar material. Prepared by 

extraction with methylene chloride and/or baking at 450 °C for a minimum of 4 hours.

7.6.3 Paper reference matrix – Glass-fiber filter, Gelman type A, or equivalent. Cut paper to 

simulate the surface area of the paper sample being tested.

7.6.4 Tissue reference matrix – Corn or other vegetable oil.

7.6.5 Other matrices – This method may be verified on any reference matrix by performing the 

tests given in Section 9.2. Ideally, the matrix should be free of the BDEs, but in no case 

must the background level of BDEs in the reference matrix exceed the minimum levels in 
EPA Method 1614A 17 May 2010

Table 2. If low background levels of the BDEs are present in the reference matrix, the 

spike level of the analytes used in Section 9.2 should be increased to provide a spike-tobackground ratio of approximately 5 (Reference 10).

7.7 Standard solutions – Prepare from materials of known purity and composition or purchase as 

solutions or mixtures with certification to their purity, concentration, and authenticity. If the 

chemical purity is 98 % or greater, the weight may be used without correction to calculate the 

concentration of the standard. Observe the safety precautions in Section 5 and the 

recommendation in Section 5.1.2.

7.7.1 For preparation of stock solutions from neat materials, dissolve an appropriate amount of 

assayed reference material in solvent. For example, weigh 10 to 20 mg of BDE 99 to 

three significant figures in a 10-mL ground-glass-stoppered volumetric flask and fill to 

the mark with nonane. After the compound is completely dissolved, transfer the solution 

to a clean 15-mL vial with fluoropolymer-lined cap.

7.7.2 When not being used, store standard solutions in the dark at approximately 4 °C in screwcapped vials with fluoropolymer-lined caps. Place a mark on the vial at the level of the 

solution so that solvent loss by evaporation can be detected. Replace the solution if 

solvent loss has occurred.

7.8 Native (unlabeled) stock solutions

7.8.1 Native stock solution – Prepare to contain the native BDEs of primary interest (see Table 

1, footnote 5) at the concentrations shown in Table 3. If additional BDEs are to be 

determined by multi-point calibration, include the additional native compounds in this 

stock solution.

7.8.2 Native BDE congener column calibration stock solutions – Solutions containing the 

native congeners to calibrate the DB-5ht column. If BDE congeners other than the BDEs 

of primary interest are to be determined, and co-elution of these congeners will occur, 

prepare stock solutions that will allow separation of the congeners on the DB-5ht column. 

For example, if it is desired to test for the congeners found in EPA's 2001 literature 

search and the congeners that will cover all levels of bromination (shown in italics and 

the footnotes in Table 1), prepare stocks of the 2 congener solutions in Table 4 at 

concentrations of 20 μg/mL each for all BDEs except DeBDE and at 200 μg/mL for 

DeBDE.

Note: If a column other than the DB-5ht column is used, solutions that allow separation of the 

congeners of interest on that column must be prepared.

7.8.3 Combined congener stock solution – Combine equal volumes of the solutions in Section 

7.8.2 to form a stock solution containing all BDE congeners. Because 2 solutions are 

used, this solution will be at 1⁄2 the concentration of the 2 individual solutions.

7.8.4 Stock solutions should be checked for signs of degradation prior to the preparation of 

calibration or performance test standards. Reference standards that can be used to 

determine the accuracy of standard solutions are available from several vendors.

7.9 Labeled compound stock solutions
EPA Method 1614A 18 May 2010

7.9.1 Labeled compound stock solution – Prepare in isooctane or nonane at the concentrations 

in Table 3. If additional BDEs are to be determined by isotope dilution, include the 

additional labeled compounds in this stock solution.

7.9.2 Labeled cleanup standard stock solution – Prepare labeled BDE 139L in iso-octane or 

nonane at the concentration shown in Table 3.

7.9.3 Labeled injection internal standard stock solution – Prepare labeled polychlorinated 

biphenyl (PCB) PCB-52L and PCB-138L in nonane or isooctane at the concentrations 

shown in Table 3.

7.10 Calibration standards

7.10.1 Calibration standards – Combine and dilute the solutions in Sections 7.8.1 and 7.9 to 

produce the calibration solutions (CS's) in Table 5 for the CS-1 to CS-5 set of calibration 

solutions. These solutions permit the relative response (labeled to native) and response 

factor to be measured as a function of concentration. The CS-3 standard is used for 

calibration verification (VER).

7.10.2 Solutions of congener mixes

7.10.2.1 Diluted individual solutions – Required if congeners other than the BDEs of 

primary interest are to be determined.

7.10.2.1.1 The two individual solutions listed in Table 4, when analyzed 

individually, allow resolution of all of the BDE congeners on the 

DB-5ht column, and are used for establishing retention time and 

other data for each congener. The elution order of the congeners 

present in each of the solutions (Section 7.8.3) is given in Table 

2.

7.10.2.1.2 Individually combine an aliquot of each individual mix stock 

solution (Section 7.8.3) with an aliquot of the labeled stock 

solution (Section 7.9.1), the labeled cleanup standard stock 

solution (Section 7.9.2), and the labeled injection internal 

standard stock solution (7.9.3) to produce concentrations of 50 

and 500 ng/mL for MoBDE - NoBDE and DeBDE, respectively, 

for the native compounds; and 100 and 1000 ng/mL for MoBDE 

- NoBDE and DeBDE, respectively, for the labeled compounds, 

as shown in the “Extract” column in Table 3. The congeners 

will be at the same concentration as in the CS-3 (VER) 

calibration solution in Table 5.

7.10.2.2 Diluted combined congener solution – Required if BDEs other than the 

BDEs of primary interest are to be determined.

7.10.2.2.1 This solution combines the two individual mixes with the labeled 

compounds to allow evaluation of single-point calibration of the 

congeners not included in the multi-point calibration, and 

establishes an average response factor for the co-eluting isomeric 

congeners.
EPA Method 1614A 19 May 2010

7.10.2.2.2 Combine an aliquot of the combined BDE congener solution 

(Section 7.8.3) with an aliquot of the labeled stock solution 

(Section 7.9.1), the labeled cleanup standard stock solution 

(Section 7.9.2), and the labeled injection internal standard stock 

solution (7.9.3) to produce the same concentrations as in the 

diluted individual mix solutions (Section 7.10.2.1.2, the 

“Extract” column Table 3 and the CS-3 (VER) solution in Table 

5).

7.11 Native standard spiking solution – Used for determining initial precision and recovery (IPR; 

Section 9.2) and ongoing precision and recovery (OPR; Section 15.5). Dilute the native stock 

solution (Section 7.8.1) with acetone to produce concentrations of MoBDE - NoBDE and DeBDE 

at 1.0 and 2.0 ng/mL, respectively, as shown in Table 3. When 1 mL of this solution spiked into 

the IPR (Section 9.2.1) or OPR (Section 15.5) and concentrated to a final volume of 20 L, the 

concentrations in the final volume will be 50 and 500 ng/mL (pg/L). Prepare only the amount 

necessary for each reference matrix with each sample batch.

7.12 Labeled standard spiking solution – This solution is spiked into each sample (Section 9.3) and 

into the IPR (Section 9.2.1), OPR (Section 15.5), and blank (Section 9.5) to measure recovery. 

Dilute the labeled stock solution (Section 7.9.1) with acetone to produce concentrations of labeled 

Mo-BDE - NoBDE and DeBDE, respectively, at 2.0 and 20 ng/mL, as shown in Table 3. When 1 

mL of this solution is spiked into an IPR, OPR, blank, or sample and concentrated to a final 

extract volume of 20 L, the concentrations in the final volume will be 100 and 1000 ng/mL 

(pg/L). Prepare only the amount necessary for each reference matrix with each sample batch.

7.13 Labeled cleanup standard spiking solution – This solution is spiked into each extract prior to 

cleanup to measure the efficiency of the cleanup process. Dilute the labeled cleanup standard 

stock solution (Section 7.9.2) in methylene chloride to produce a concentration of the cleanup 

standard at 2.0 ng/mL, as shown in Table 3. When 1.0 mL of this solution is spiked into a sample 

extract and concentrated to a final volume of 20 L, the concentration in the final volume will be 

100 ng/mL (pg/L).

7.14 Labeled injection internal standard spiking solution – This solution is added to each concentrated 

extract prior to injection into the HRGC/HRMS. Dilute the labeled injection internal standard 

stock solution (Section 7.9.3) in nonane to produce a concentration of the injection internal 

standards at 1000 ng/mL, as shown in Table 3. When 2 L of this solution is spiked into a 20 L 

extract, the concentration of each injection internal standard will be nominally 100 ng/mL 

(pg/L).

Note: The addition of 2 μL of the labeled injection internal standard spiking solution to a 20 μL final 

extract has the effect of diluting the concentration of the components in the extract by 10%. Provided that 

all calibration solutions and all extracts undergo this dilution as a result of adding the labeled injection 

internal standard spiking solution, the effect of the 10% solution is compensated, and correction for this 

dilution should not be made.

7.15 QC Check Sample – A QC Check Sample should be obtained from a source independent of the 

calibration standards. Ideally, this check sample would be a Standard Reference Material (SRM) 

containing the BDEs in known concentrations in a sample matrix similar to the matrix under test.

7.16 Stability of solutions – Standard solutions used for quantitative purposes (Sections 7.9 through 

7.14) should be assayed periodically (e.g., every 6 months) against SRMs from NIST (if 
EPA Method 1614A 20 May 2010

available), or certified reference materials from a source that will attest to the authenticity and 

concentration, to assure that the composition and concentrations have not changed.

8.0 Sample collection, preservation, storage, and holding times

8.1 Collect samples in amber glass containers following conventional sampling practices.

8.2 Aqueous samples (Reference 11)

8.2.1 Collect samples that flow freely as grab samples or in refrigerated bottles using automatic 

sampling equipment.

8.2.2 If residual chlorine is present, add 80 mg sodium thiosulfate per liter of water. EPA 

Methods 330.4 and 330.5 may be used to measure residual chlorine (Reference 12).

8.2.3 Maintain aqueous samples in the dark at <6 °C from the time of collection until receipt at 

the laboratory. If the sample will be frozen, allow room for expansion. Store in the dark 

at <6 °C.

8.3 Solid, mixed-phase, semi-solid, and oily samples, excluding tissue

8.3.1 Collect samples as grab samples using wide-mouth jars.

8.3.2 Maintain solid, semi-solid, oily, and mixed-phase samples in the dark at <6 °C from the 

time of collection until receipt at the laboratory. Store solid, semi-solid, oily, and mixedphase samples in the dark at less than -10 °C.

8.4 Fish and other tissue samples

8.4.1 Fish may be cleaned, filleted, or processed in other ways in the field, such that the 

laboratory may expect to receive whole fish, fish fillets, or other tissues for analysis. 

Lipid content, and hence PBDE content, may vary depending on which area of fish is 

taken (e.g. dorsal vs. ventral). The sampler should observe the precautions to preclude 

contamination in Section 5. In particular, tissue should be processed in a dust-free zone 

because dust may contain high levels of PBDEs.

8.4.2 Collect fish, wrap in aluminum foil, and maintain at <6 °C from the time of collection 

until receipt at the laboratory, to a maximum of 24 hours. If a longer transport time is 

necessary, freeze the sample. Ideally, fish should be frozen upon collection and shipped 

to the laboratory under dry ice.

8.4.3 Freeze tissue samples upon receipt at the laboratory and maintain in the dark at less than 

-10 °C until prepared. Maintain unused sample in the dark at less than -10 °C.

8.5 Holding times

8.5.1 There are no demonstrated maximum holding times associated with the BDEs in 

aqueous, solid, semi-solid, tissue, or other sample matrices. If stored in the dark at <6 

°C, aqueous samples may be stored for up to one year. Similarly, if stored in the dark at 

less than -10 °C, solid, semi-solid, multi-phase, and tissue samples may be stored for up 

to one year.
EPA Method 1614A 21 May 2010

8.5.2 Store sample extracts in the dark at less than -10 °C until analyzed. If stored in the dark 

at less than -10 °C, sample extracts may be stored for up to one year.

9.0 Quality assurance/quality control

9.1 Each laboratory that uses this method is required to operate a formal quality assurance program 

(Reference 13). The minimum requirements of this program consist of an initial demonstration of 

laboratory capability, analysis of samples spiked with labeled compounds to evaluate and 

document data quality, and analysis of standards and blanks as tests of continued performance. 

Laboratory performance is compared to established performance criteria to determine if the 

results of analyses meet the performance characteristics of this method. If this method is to be 

applied to a sample matrix other than water (e.g., soil, filter cake, compost, tissue) the most 

appropriate alternate reference matrix (Sections 7.6.2 to 7.6.5 and 7.15) is substituted for the 

reagent water matrix (Section 7.6.1) in all performance tests.

9.1.1 The laboratory must make an initial demonstration of the ability to generate acceptable 

precision and recovery with this method. This demonstration is given in Section 9.2.

9.1.2 In recognition of advances that are occurring in analytical technology, and to overcome 

matrix interferences, the laboratory is permitted certain options to improve separations or 

lower the costs of measurements. These options include alternate extraction, 

concentration, and cleanup procedures, and changes in columns and detectors. Alternate 

determinative techniques, such as substitution of spectroscopic or immunoassay 

techniques, and changes that degrade method performance, are not allowed. If an 

analytical technique other than the techniques specified in this method is used, that 

technique must have a specificity equal to or greater than the specificity of the techniques 

in this method for the analytes of interest.

9.1.2.1 Each time a modification is made to this method, the laboratory is required to 

repeat the procedure in Section 9.2. If the detection limit of the method will 

be affected by the change, the laboratory is required to demonstrate that the 

MDLs (40 CFR 136, Appendix B) are lower than one-third the regulatory 

compliance limit or lower than five times the MDLs in this method, 

whichever are greater. If calibration will be affected by the change, the 

instrument must be recalibrated per Section 10.

9.1.2.2 The laboratory is required to maintain records of modifications made to this 

method. These records include the following, at a minimum:

9.1.2.2.1 The names, titles, addresses, and telephone numbers of the 

analyst(s) that performed the analyses and modification, and of 

the quality control officer that witnessed and will verify the 

analyses and modification.

9.1.2.2.2 A list of pollutant(s) measured, by name and CAS Registry 

number.

9.1.2.2.3 A narrative stating reason(s) for the modification.

9.1.2.2.4 Results from all quality control (QC) tests comparing the 

modified method to this method, including:
EPA Method 1614A 22 May 2010

a) Calibration (Section 10)

b) Calibration verification (Section 15.3)

c) Initial precision and recovery (Section 9.2)

d) Labeled compound recovery (Section 9.3)

e) Analysis of blanks (Section 9.5)

f) Accuracy assessment (Section 9.4)

9.1.2.2.5 Data that will allow an independent reviewer to validate each 

determination by tracing the instrument output (peak height, 

area, or other signal) to the final result. These data are to 

include:

a) Sample numbers and other identifiers.

b) Extraction dates.

c) Analysis dates and times.

d) Analysis sequence/run chronology.

e) Sample weight or volume (Section 11).

f) Extract volume prior to each cleanup step (Section 13).

g) Extract volume after each cleanup step (Section 13).

h) Final extract volume prior to injection (Section 14).

i) Injection volume (Section 14.3).

j) Dilution data, differentiating between dilution of a sample or 

extract (Section 17.5).

k) Instrument and operating conditions.

l) Column (dimensions, liquid phase, solid support, film 

thickness, etc).

m) Operating conditions (temperatures, temperature program, 

flow rates).

n) Detector (type, operating conditions, etc).

o) Chromatograms, printer tapes, and other recordings of raw 

data.

p) Quantitation reports, data system outputs, and other data to 

link the raw data to the results reported.

9.1.2.3 Alternate GC column or column system – See Section 6.9.1.3 or 6.9.2.5.

9.1.3 Analyses of method blanks are required to demonstrate freedom from contamination 

(Section 4.3). The procedures and criteria for analysis of a method blank are given in 

Sections 9.5 and 15.6.

9.1.4 The laboratory must spike all samples with labeled compounds to monitor method 

performance. This test is described in Section 9.3. When results of these spikes indicate 

atypical method performance for samples, the samples are diluted to bring method 

performance within acceptable limits. Procedures for dilution are given in Section 17.5.

9.1.5 The laboratory must, on an ongoing basis, demonstrate through calibration verification 

and analysis of the ongoing precision and recovery standard (OPR) and blanks that the 

analytical system is in control. These procedures are given in Sections 15.1 through 15.6.

9.1.6 The laboratory should maintain records to define the quality of data generated. 

Development of accuracy statements is described in Section 9.4.
EPA Method 1614A 23 May 2010

9.2 Initial precision and recovery (IPR) – To establish the ability to generate acceptable precision and 

recovery, the laboratory must perform the following operations.

9.2.1 For low solids (aqueous) samples, extract, concentrate, and analyze four 1-L aliquots of 

reagent water spiked with 1 mL each of the native spiking solution (Section 7.11) and the 

labeled standard spiking solution (Section 7.12), and spike the extracts with the labeled 

cleanup standard spiking solution (Section 7.13), according to the procedures in Sections 

11 through 18. For an alternate sample matrix, four aliquots of the alternate reference 

matrix (Section 7.6) are used. All sample processing steps that are to be used for 

processing samples, including preparation (Section 11), extraction (Section 12), and 

cleanup (Section 13), must be included in this test.

9.2.2 Using results of the set of four analyses, compute the percent recovery for each BDE in 

each analysis, the average percent recovery (X) for each BDE in the four analyses, and 

the standard deviation of the percent recoveries (relative standard deviation; RSD) for 

each compound, by isotope dilution for BDEs with a labeled analog, and by internal 

standard for BDEs without a labeled analog and for the labeled compounds.

9.2.3 For each BDE and labeled compound, compare RSD and X with the corresponding limits 

for initial precision and recovery in Table 6. If RSD and X for all compounds meet the 

acceptance criteria, system performance is acceptable and analysis of blanks and samples 

may begin. If, however, any individual RSD exceeds the precision limit or any 

individual X falls outside the range for recovery, system performance is unacceptable for 

that compound. Correct the problem and repeat the test (Section 9.2).

9.3 To assess method performance on the sample matrix, the laboratory must spike all samples with 

the labeled standard spiking solution (Section 7.12) and all sample extracts with the labeled 

cleanup standard spiking solution (Section 7.13).

9.3.1 Analyze each sample according to the procedures in Sections 11 through 18.

9.3.2 Compute the percent recovery of the labeled congeners and the labeled cleanup congener 

using the internal standard method (Section 17.2).

9.3.3 The recovery of each labeled compound must be within the limits in Table 6. If the 

recovery of any compound falls outside of these limits, method performance is 

unacceptable for that compound in that sample. Additional cleanup procedures must then 

be employed to attempt to bring the recovery within the normal range. If the recovery 

cannot be brought within the normal range after all cleanup procedures have been 

employed, water samples are diluted and smaller amounts of soils, sludges, sediments, 

and other matrices are analyzed per Section 18.

9.4 It is suggested but not required that recovery of labeled compounds from samples be assessed and 

records maintained.

9.4.1 After the analysis of 30 samples of a given matrix type (water, soil, sludge, pulp, etc.) for 

which the labeled compounds pass the tests in Section 9.3, compute the average percent 

recovery (R) and the standard deviation of the percent recovery (SR) for the labeled 

compounds only. Express the assessment as a percent recovery interval from R - 2SR to 

R + 2SR for each matrix. For example, if R = 90% and SR = 10% for five analyses of 

pulp, the recovery interval is expressed as 70 to 110%.
EPA Method 1614A 24 May 2010

9.4.2 Update the accuracy assessment for each labeled compound in each matrix on a regular 

basis (e.g., after each five to ten new measurements).

9.5 Method blanks – A reference matrix method blank is analyzed with each sample batch (Section 

4.3) to demonstrate freedom from contamination. The matrix for the method blank must be 

similar to the sample matrix for the batch, e.g., a 1-L reagent water blank (Section 7.6.1), highsolids reference matrix blank (Section 7.6.2), paper matrix blank (Section 7.6.3); tissue blank 

(Section 7.6.4), or alternative reference matrix blank (Section 7.6.5).

9.5.1 Spike 1.0 mL of the labeled standard spiking solution (Section 7.12) into the method 

blank and 1 mL the labeled cleanup standard spiking solution (Section 7.13) into the 

extract of the method blank, according to the procedures in Sections 11 through 18. 

Prepare, extract, clean up, and concentrate the method blank. Analyze the blank (Section 

15.6) immediately after analysis of the OPR (Section 15.5) to demonstrate freedom from 

contamination.

9.5.2 If any BDE (Table 1) is found in the blank at greater than two times the minimum level 

(Table 2) or one-third the regulatory compliance limit, whichever is greater; or if any 

potentially interfering compound is found in the blank at the ML for each BDE given in 

Table 2 (assuming a response factor of 1 relative to the quantitation reference in Table 2 

at that level of bromination for a potentially interfering compound; i.e., a compound not 

listed in this method), analysis of samples must be halted until the sample batch is reextracted and the extracts re-analyzed, and the blank associated with the sample batch 

shows no evidence of contamination at these levels. All samples must be associated with 

an uncontaminated method blank before the results for those samples may be reported or 

used for permitting or regulatory compliance purposes.

9.6 QC Check Sample – The laboratory should analyze a QC check sample (Section 7.15) 

periodically to assure the accuracy of calibration standards and the overall reliability of the 

analytical process. It is suggested that the QC check sample be analyzed at least quarterly.

9.7 The specifications contained in this method can be met if the apparatus used is calibrated properly 

and maintained in a calibrated state. The standards used for calibration (Section 10), calibration 

verification (Section 15.3), and for initial (Section 9.2) and ongoing (Section 15.5) precision and 

recovery should be identical, so that the most precise results will be obtained. The HRGC/HRMS 

instrument will provide the most reproducible results if dedicated to the settings and conditions 

required for determination of BDEs by this method.

9.8 Depending on specific program requirements, field replicates may be collected to determine the 

precision of the sampling technique, and spiked samples may be required to determine the 

accuracy of the analysis when the internal standard method is used.

10.0 Calibration

10.1 Suggested operating conditions for the long column (Section 6.9.1.1) and for the long column in 

the 2-column system (Section 6.9.1.2) are given in Section 10.1.1; suggested operating conditions 

for the short column (Section 6.9.2) are given in Section 10.1.3.

Note: RTs, RRTs, and RRT limits may differ slightly from those in Table 2.
EPA Method 1614A 25 May 2010

10.1.1 Long Column & Two Column System - Suggested GC operating conditions necessary to 

meet the retention times (RTs) and relative retention times (RRTs) in Table 2 for the long 

column and column that elutes the mono- through nona- BDEs in the 2-column system:

Injector temperature: 300 °C

Interface temperature: 320 °C

Initial temperature: 100 °C

Initial time: 3 minutes

Temperature program: 100 – 320 °C at 5 °C per minute

Final time: 5 minutes

All portions of the column that connect the GC to the ion source should remain at or 

above the interface temperature specified above during analysis to preclude condensation 

of less volatile compounds.

The GC conditions may be optimized for compound separation and sensitivity. Once 

optimized, the same GC conditions must be used for analysis of all standards, blanks, IPR 

and OPR standards, and samples.

Typical Septum Temperatures were around 200 °C.

10.1.2 Retention time calibration for the BDE congeners (all columns)

10.1.2.1 If only the eight BDEs of primary interest are to be analyzed, inject the CS-3 

calibration solution (Section 7.10.1 and Table 5). If congeners in addition to 

the BDEs of primary interest are to be analyzed, separately inject each of the 

diluted individual congener solutions (Section 7.10.2.1.2). Establish the 

beginning and ending retention times at each level of bromination for the 

scan descriptors in Table 7. Scan descriptors other than those listed in Table 

7 may be used, provided the MDLs in Table 2 are met. Store the retention 

time (RT) and relative retention time (RRT) for each congener in the data 

system.

10.1.2.2 The absolute retention time of BDE 209 must exceed 48 minutes on the 30-m 

DB-5ht column (27 minutes on the short column); otherwise, the GC 

temperature program must be adjusted and this test repeated until the 

minimum retention time criterion is met. If a GC column or column system 

alternate to the 30-m DB-5ht, 15-m or two column system is used, a similar 

minimum retention time specification must be established for the alternate 

column or column systems so that interferences that may be encountered in 

environmental samples will be resolved from the analytes of interest. This 

specification is deemed to be met if the retention time of BDE 209 is greater 

than 48 minutes on a 30-m alternate column or 27 minutes on a 15-m 

alternate column.

10.1.2.3 If BDEs other than the eight BDEs of primary interest are to be determined, 

inject the Diluted combined congener solution (Section 7.10.2.2); otherwise, 

use the data from injection of the CS-3 calibration solution (Section 

10.1.2.1). Adjust the chromatographic conditions and scan descriptors until 

the specifications for the one-, two- or short column system in Section 

6.9.1.1.1 to 6.9.1.1.4 or 6.9.1.2.1 to 6.9.1.2.3 or 6.9.2.2 to 6.9.2.5, 

respectively, are met. If an alternate column or column system is used, 

adjust the conditions for that column. If column performance is 
EPA Method 1614A 26 May 2010

unacceptable, optimize the analysis conditions or replace the column and 

repeat the performance tests. Confirm that the scan descriptor changes at 

times when BDEs do not elute.

10.1.2.4 After the column performance tests are passed (Section 10.1.2.2 to 10.1.2.3), 

store the RTs and RRTs for the resolved congeners and the RTs and RRTs 

for the isomeric congeners that co-elute.

10.1.3 15 meter GC Column and Temperature-Programmable Injector Conditions – Optional to 

prevent breakdown of octa-, nona-, and deca- congeners and improve recovery. These 

conditions are optimized to target minimization of BDE-209 breakdown, while 

attempting to resolve and quantitate as many of the other target BDE congeners as 

possible.

GC Column:

15 m DB-5ht (or equivalent), 0.25 mm x 0.1 μm film

Constant helium flow at 1.5 mL/min

Temperature-Programmable Injector (TPI):

Sample Injection Volume: 5 L 

Vent Flow: 100 mL/min

Vent Pressure: 2 psi until 0.75 min

Pure Flow to Spit Vent: 500 mL/min at 5 min

Temperature Program: 45 °C for 0.8 min, 600 °C/min to 330 °C, hold for 20 min

GC Temperature Program:

75 °C for 0.4 min

40 °C/min to 200 °C

10 °C/min to 260 °C

5 °C/min to 300 °C hold for 10 min 

Total Run Time: 27.5 min

10.2 Mass spectrometer (MS) resolution

10.2.1 Using perfluorokerosene (PFK, Fluka high boiling or equivalent) (or other reference 

substance) and a molecular leak, tune the instrument to meet a resolving power of 5,000 

(10% valley) at m/z 554.9665 or any other significant fragment in the range of 540 to 

580. For each descriptor (Table 7), monitor and record the resolution and exact m/z’s of 

three to five reference peaks covering the mass range of the descriptor. The level of 

reference substance metered into the HRMS during analyses should be adjusted so that 

the amplitude of the most intense selected lock-mass m/z signal (regardless of the 

descriptor number) does not exceed 10% of the full-scale deflection for a given set of 

detector parameters. Under those conditions, sensitivity changes that might occur during 

the analysis can be more effectively monitored.

Note: Different lots and types of reference substance can contain varying levels of contamination, and 

an excessive amount of reference substance may cause noise problems and contamination of the ion 

source, necessitating increased frequency of source cleaning.

10.2.2 The analysis time for BDEs may exceed the long-term mass stability of the mass 

spectrometer. Because the instrument is operated in the high-resolution mode, a mass 

drift of a few ppm (e.g., 5 ppm in mass) can have a serious adverse effect on instrument 
EPA Method 1614A 27 May 2010

performance. Therefore, mass-drift correction is mandatory and a lock-mass m/z from 

PFK or other reference substance is used for drift correction. The lock-mass m/z is 

dependent on the exact m/z’s monitored within each descriptor, as shown in Table 7. The 

deviation between each exact m/z monitored and the theoretical m/z (Table 7) must be 

less than 5 ppm.

10.2.3 Obtain a selected ion current profile (SICP) at the two exact m/z’s specified in Table 7 

and at >5,000 resolving power at each level of bromination (LOB) for the native 

congeners and congener groups and for the labeled congeners. Because of the extensive 

mass range covered in each function and the requirement for >5000 resolution throughout 

the mass range during the function, the resolution may need to be greater than 5,000 in 

the center of the mass range for each function.

10.2.4 If the HRMS has the capability to monitor resolution during the analysis, it is acceptable 

to terminate the analysis when the resolution falls below the minimum (Section 10.2.3) to 

save analysis time.

10.3 Ion abundance ratios, minimum levels, and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios. Choose an injection 

volume of either 1 or 2 L (5 μL if using the short column), consistent with the capability of the 

HRGC/HRMS instrument. Inject an 1 or 2 L (5 μL if using the short column) aliquot of the CS1 calibration solution (Table 5) using the GC conditions in Section 10.1.1 or 10.3.1.

10.3.1 Measure the SICP areas for each congener or congener group, and compute the ion 

abundance ratios at the exact m/z’s specified in Table 7. Compare the computed ratio to 

the theoretical ratio given in Table 8.

10.3.1.1 The exact m/z’s to be monitored in each descriptor are shown in Table 7. 

Each group or descriptor must be monitored in succession as a function of 

GC retention time to ensure that the BDEs of interest are detected. 

Additional m/z’s may be monitored in each descriptor, and the m/z’s may be 

divided among more than the descriptors listed in Table 7, provided that the 

laboratory is able to monitor the m/z’s of all BDEs that elute from the GC in 

a given level of bromination (LOB) window. The laboratory must also 

monitor exact m/z’s for congeners at higher LOBs to determine if fragments 

will compromise measurement of congeners at lower LOBs.

10.3.1.2 The mass spectrometer must be operated in a mass-drift correction mode, 

using a reference substance to provide lock m/z’s. The lock mass for each 

group of m/z’s is shown in Table 7. Each lock mass must be monitored and 

must not vary by more than ± 20% throughout its respective retention time 

window. Variations of lock mass by more than 20% indicate the presence of 

co-eluting interferences that raise the source pressure and may significantly 

reduce the sensitivity of the mass spectrometer. Re-injection of another 

aliquot of the sample extract may not resolve the problem and additional 

cleanup of the extract may be required to remove the interference. A lock 

mass interference or suppression in a retention time region in which BDEs 

and labeled compounds do not elute may be ignored.

10.3.2 All BDEs and labeled compounds in the CS-1 standard must be within the QC limits in 

Table 8 for their respective ion abundance ratios; otherwise, the mass spectrometer must 

be adjusted and this test repeated until the m/z ratios fall within the limits specified. If 
EPA Method 1614A 28 May 2010

the adjustment alters the resolution of the mass spectrometer, resolution must be verified 

(Section 10.2.1) prior to repeat of the test.

10.3.3 Verify that the HRGC/HRMS instrument meets the minimum levels (MLs) in Table 2. 

The peaks representing the BDEs and labeled compounds in the CS-1 calibration 

standard must have S/Ns >10; otherwise, the mass spectrometer must be adjusted and this 

test repeated until the minimum levels in Table 2 are met.

Note: The MDLs and MLs in Table 2 are based on the levels of contamination normally found in 

laboratories. Lower levels may be readily achievable if segregation and extensive cleaning of glassware 

are employed. If lower levels are achievable, these levels must be established as described in Section 

17.6.1.4.1.

10.4 Calibration by isotope dilution – Isotope dilution is used for calibration of the BDEs that have a 

labeled analog. The reference compound for each native compound and its labeled analog are 

listed in Table 2. A 5-point calibration encompassing the concentration range is prepared for 

each native congener.

10.4.1 For the native BDEs determined by isotope dilution, the relative response (RR) (labeled 

to native) vs. concentration in the calibration solutions (Table 5) is computed over the 

calibration range according to the procedures described below.

10.4.2 The response of each native BDE relative to its labeled analog is determined using the 

area responses of both the primary and secondary exact m/z’s specified in Table 7, for 

each calibration standard, as follows:

l l n

n n l

(A1 A2 ) C

(A1 A2 ) C

RR







where:

A1n and A2n = The measured areas at the primary and secondary m/z’s for the BDE

A1l and A2l = The measured areas at the primary and secondary m/z’s for the labeled 

compound

Cl = The concentration of the labeled compound in the calibration standard 

(Table 5)

Cn = The concentration of the native compound in the calibration standard 

(Table 5)

10.4.3 To calibrate the instrument for the BDEs of primary interest by isotope dilution, inject 

calibration standards CS-1 through CS-5 (Section 7.10.1 and Table 5). Use a volume 

identical to the volume chosen in Section 10.3, the procedure in Section 14, and the 

conditions in Section 10.1.1 or 10.1.3 for the long or short column, respectively. 

Compute and store the relative response (RR) for each native BDE at each concentration. 

Compute the average (mean) RR and the RSD of the 5 RRs.

10.4.4 Linearity – If the RR for any BDE is constant (less than 20% RSD), the average RR may 

be used for that congener; otherwise, the complete calibration curve for that congener 

must be used over the calibration range.

10.5 Calibration by internal standard
EPA Method 1614A 29 May 2010

10.5.1 Internal standard calibration is applied to determination of the native BDEs for which a 

labeled compound is not available, determination of the labeled congeners and labeled 

cleanup standard for performance tests and intra-laboratory statistics (Sections 9.4 and 

15.5.4), and determination of the labeled injection internal standards except for PCB 

138L. The reference for each congener is listed in Table 2.

10.5.2 Response factors – Internal standard calibration requires the determination of response 

factors (RF) defined by the following equation:

is is s

s s is

(A1 A2 ) C

(A1 A2 ) C

RF







where:

A1s and A2s = The measured areas at the primary and secondary m/z’s for the BDE

A1is and A2is= The measured areas at the primary and secondary m/z’s for the internal 

standard

Cis = The concentration of the internal standard (Table 5)

Cs = The concentration of the compound in the calibration standard (Table 5)

10.5.3 Compute the response factor (RF) for all native BDEs except those that have a labeled 

analog. Use the average (mean) response of the labeled compounds at each level of 

bromination (LOB) as the quantitation reference, as shown in Table 2. For the 

combinations of isomeric congeners that co-elute, compute a combined RF for the coeluted group. For example, for congener 116, the areas at the two exact m/z’s for 99L, 

100L, and 126L are summed and the total area is divided by 3 (because there are 3 

congeners as the quantitation reference).

Note: All labeled congeners at each LOB are used as reference to reduce the effect of interferences. 

Other quantitation references and procedures may be used provided that the results produced are as 

accurate as results produced by the quantitation references and procedures described in this method.

10.5.4 For the labeled compounds and the labeled cleanup standards, use the nearest eluted 

labeled injection internal standard as the quantitation reference, as given in Table 2. 

Labeled injection internal standard PCB 52L is referenced to PCB 138L, and PCB 138L 

is referenced to itself, as shown in Table 2.

10.5.5 Multi-point calibration – Calibrate the instrument for compounds to be multi-point 

calibrated (other than those calibrated by isotope dilution) using data from the injections 

performed for isotope dilution calibration (Section 10.4.3).

10.5.6 Linearity – If the RF for any compound is constant (less than 35% RSD for all congeners 

other than congener 209L; less than 100% for congener 209L), an average RF may be 

used for that compound; otherwise, a calibration curve must be used for that compound.

10.5.7 Single-point calibration – Calibrate the instrument for any additional native BDEs by 

injecting the diluted combined congener solution (Section 7.10.2.2).

11.0 Sample preparation

11.1 Sample preparation involves modifying the physical form of the sample so that the BDEs can be 

extracted efficiently. In general, the samples must be in a liquid form or in the form of finely 
EPA Method 1614A 30 May 2010

divided solids in order for efficient extraction to take place. Table 9 lists the phases and 

suggested quantities for extraction of various sample matrices.

For samples known or expected to contain high levels of the BDEs, the smallest sample size 

representative of the entire sample should be used (see Section 18). For all samples, the blank 

and IPR/OPR aliquots must be processed through the same steps as the sample to check for 

contamination and losses in the preparation processes.

11.1.1 For samples that contain particles, percent solids and particle size are determined using 

the procedures in Sections 11.2 and 11.3, respectively.

11.1.2 Aqueous samples – Because BDEs may be bound to suspended particles, the preparation 

of aqueous samples is dependent on the solids content of the sample.

11.1.2.1 Aqueous samples containing one percent solids or less are prepared per 

Section 11.4 and extracted directly using one of the extraction techniques in 

Section 12.2.

11.1.2.2 For aqueous samples containing greater than one percent solids, a sample 

aliquot sufficient to provide 10 g of dry solids is used, as described in Section 

11.5.

11.1.3 Solid samples are prepared using the procedure in Section 11.5 followed by extraction 

using the SDS procedure in Section 12.3.

11.1.4 Multi-phase samples – The phase(s) containing the BDEs is separated from the non-BDE 

phase using pressure filtration and centrifugation, as described in Section 11.6. The 

BDEs will be in the organic phase in a multi-phase sample in which an organic phase 

exists.

11.1.5 Procedures for grinding, homogenization, and blending of various sample phases are 

given in Section 11.7.

11.1.6 Tissue samples – Preparation procedures for fish and other tissues are given in Section 

11.8.

11.2 Determination of percent suspended solids. This aliquot is used for determining the solids 

content of the sample, not for determination of BDEs.

11.2.1 Aqueous liquids and multi-phase samples consisting of mainly an aqueous phase.

11.2.1.1 Desiccate and weigh a GF/D filter (Section 6.5.3) to three significant figures.

11.2.1.2 Filter 10.0 ± 0.02 mL of well-mixed sample through the filter.

11.2.1.3 Dry the filter a minimum of 12 hours at 110 ± 5 °C and cool in a desiccator.

11.2.1.4 Calculate percent solids as follows:

x 100

10 g

weight of sample aliquot after drying (g) - weight of filter (g) % solids 
EPA Method 1614A 31 May 2010

11.2.2 Non-aqueous liquids, solids, semi-solid samples, and multi-phase samples in which the 

main phase is not aqueous; but not tissues.

11.2.2.1 Weigh a 5- to 10-g aliquot of sample to three significant figures in a tared 

beaker.

11.2.2.2 Dry a minimum of 12 hours at 110 ± 5 °C, and cool in a desiccator.

11.2.2.3 Calculate percent solids as follows:

x 100

weight of sample aliquot before drying (g)

weight of sample aliquot after drying (g) % solids 

11.3 Estimation of particle size

11.3.1 Spread the dried sample from Section 11.2.2.2 on a piece of filter paper or aluminum foil 

in a fume hood or glove box.

11.3.2 Estimate the size of the particles in the sample. If the size of the largest particles is 

greater than 1 mm, the particle size must be reduced to 1 mm or less prior to extraction 

using the procedures in Section 11.7.

11.4 Preparation of aqueous samples containing one percent suspended solids or less.

11.4.1 Prepare using the procedure below and extract using the one of the extraction techniques 

in Section 12.2.

11.4.2 Preparation of sample and QC aliquots

11.4.2.1 Mark the original level of the sample on the sample bottle for reference. 

Weigh the sample plus bottle to ± 1 g. After extraction (Section 12.2), reweigh the sample bottle and convert the weight to volume assuming a density 

of 1.00 g/mL.

11.4.2.2 Spike 1.0 mL of the labeled standard spiking solution (Section 7.12) into the 

sample bottle. Cap the bottle and mix the sample by shaking. Allow the 

sample to equilibrate for 1 to 2 hours, with occasional shaking.

11.4.2.3 For each sample or sample batch (to a maximum of 20 samples) to be 

extracted during the same 12-hour shift, place two 1.0-L aliquots of reagent 

water in clean sample bottles or flasks.

11.4.2.4 Spike 1.0 mL of the labeled standard spiking solution (Section 7.12) into 

both reagent water aliquots. Spike 1.0 mL of the native standard spiking 

solution (Section 7.11) into one reagent water aliquot. This aliquot will serve 

as the OPR (Section 15.5). The other aliquot will serve as the method blank.

11.4.2.5 For extraction using SPE, add 5 mL of methanol to the sample and QC 

aliquots. Cap and shake the sample and QC aliquots to mix thoroughly, and 

proceed to Section 12.2 for extraction.

11.5 Preparation of samples containing greater than one percent solids
EPA Method 1614A 32 May 2010

11.5.1 Weigh a well-mixed aliquot of each sample (of the same matrix type) sufficient to 

provide 10 g of dry solids (based on the solids determination in Section 11.2) into a clean 

beaker or glass jar.

11.5.2 Spike 1.0 mL of the labeled standard spiking solution (Section 7.12) into the sample.

11.5.3 For each sample or sample batch (to a maximum of 20 samples) to be extracted during 

the same 12 hour shift, weigh two 10-g aliquots of the appropriate reference matrix 

(Section 7.6) into clean beakers or glass jars.

11.5.4 Spike 1.0 mL of the labeled standard spiking solution (Section 7.12) into both reference 

matrix aliquots. Spike 1.0 mL of the native standard spiking solution (Section 7.11) into 

one reference matrix aliquot. This aliquot will serve as the OPR (Section 15.5). The 

other aliquot will serve as the method blank.

11.5.5 Stir or tumble and equilibrate the aliquots for 1 to 2 hours.

11.5.6 Decant excess water. If necessary to remove water, filter the sample through a glass-fiber 

filter and discard the aqueous liquid.

11.5.7 If particles >1 mm are present in the sample (as determined in Section 11.3.2), spread the 

sample on clean aluminum foil in a hood. Observe the precaution in Section 5.3.1. After 

the sample is dry, grind to reduce the particle size (Section 11.7).

11.5.8 Extract the sample and QC aliquots using the SDS procedure in Section 12.3.

11.6 Multi-phase samples

11.6.1 Using the percent solids determined in Section 11.2.1 or 11.2.2, determine the volume of 

sample that will provide 10 g of solids, up to 1 L of sample.

11.6.2 Spike 1.0 mL of the labeled standard spiking solution (Section 7.12) into the amount of 

sample determined in Section 11.6.1, and into the OPR and blank. Spike 1.0 mL of the 

native standard spiking solution (Section 7.11) into the OPR. Pressure filter the sample, 

blank, and OPR through Whatman GF/D glass-fiber filter paper (Section 6.5.3). If 

necessary to separate the phases and/or settle the solids, centrifuge these aliquots prior to 

filtration.

11.6.3 Discard any aqueous phase (if present). Remove any non-aqueous liquid present and 

reserve the maximum amount filtered from the sample (Section 11.6.1) or 10 g, 

whichever is less, for combination with the solid phase (Section 12.3.5).

11.6.4 If particles >1 mm are present in the sample (as determined in Section 11.3.2) and the 

sample is capable of being dried, spread the sample and QC aliquots on clean aluminum 

foil in a hood. Observe the precaution in Section 5.3.1.

11.6.5 After the aliquots are dry or if the sample cannot be dried, reduce the particle size using 

the procedures in Section 11.7 and extract the reduced-size particles using the SDS 

procedure in Section 12.3. If particles >1 mm are not present, extract the particles and 

filter in the sample and QC aliquots directly using the SDS procedure in Section 12.3.
EPA Method 1614A 33 May 2010

11.7 Sample grinding, homogenization, or blending – Samples with particle sizes greater than 1 mm 

(as determined in Section 11.3.2) are subjected to grinding, homogenization, or blending. The 

method of reducing particle size to less than 1 mm is matrix-dependent. In general, hard particles 

can be reduced by grinding with a mortar and pestle. Softer particles can be reduced by grinding 

in a Wiley mill or meat grinder, by homogenization, or in a blender.

11.7.1 Each size-reducing preparation procedure on each matrix must be verified by running the 

tests in Section 9.2 before the procedure is applied to samples and employed routinely.

11.7.2 The grinding, homogenization, or blending procedures must be carried out in a glove box 

or fume hood to prevent particles from contaminating the work environment.

11.7.3 Grinding – Certain papers and pulps, slurries, and amorphous solids can be ground in a 

Wiley mill or heavy duty meat grinder. In some cases, reducing the temperature of the 

sample to freezing or to dry ice or liquid nitrogen temperatures can aid in the grinding 

process. Grind the sample aliquots from Sections 11.5.7 or 11.6.5 in a clean grinder. Do 

not allow the sample temperature to exceed 50 °C. Grind the blank and reference matrix 

aliquots using a clean grinder.

11.7.4 Homogenization or blending – Particles that are not ground effectively, or particles 

greater than 1 mm in size after grinding, can often be reduced in size by high speed 

homogenization or blending. Homogenize and/or blend the particles or filter from 

Sections 11.5.7 or 11.6.5 for the sample, blank, and OPR aliquots.

11.7.5 Extract the aliquots using the SDS procedure in Section 12.3.

11.8 Fish and other tissues – Prior to processing tissue samples, the laboratory must determine the 

exact tissue to be analyzed. Common requests for analysis of fish tissue include whole fish-skin 

on, whole fish-skin removed, edible fish fillets (filleted in the field or by the laboratory), specific 

organs, and other portions. Once the appropriate tissue has been determined, the sample must be 

homogenized.

11.8.1 Homogenization

11.8.1.1 Samples are homogenized while still frozen, where practical. If the 

laboratory must dissect the whole fish to obtain the appropriate tissue for 

analysis, the unused tissues may be rapidly refrozen and stored in a clean

glass jar for subsequent use.

11.8.1.2 Each analysis requires 10 g of tissue (wet weight). Therefore, the laboratory 

should homogenize at least 20 g of tissue to allow for re-extraction of a 

second aliquot of the same homogenized sample, if re-analysis is required. 

When whole fish analysis is necessary, the entire fish is homogenized.

11.8.1.3 Homogenize the sample in a tissue homogenizer (Section 6.3.3) or grind in a 

meat grinder (Section 6.3.4). Cut tissue too large to feed into the grinder into 

smaller pieces. To assure homogeneity, grind a minimum of three times.

11.8.1.4 Transfer approximately 10 g (wet weight) of homogenized tissue to a clean, 

tared, 400- to 500-mL beaker.
EPA Method 1614A 34 May 2010

11.8.1.5 Transfer the remaining homogenized tissue to a clean jar with a 

fluoropolymer-lined lid. Seal the jar and store the tissue at less than -10 °C. 

Return any tissue that was not homogenized to its original container and 

store at less than -10 °C.

11.8.2 QC aliquots

11.8.2.1 Prepare a method blank by adding approximately 1–2 g of the oily liquid 

reference matrix (Section 7.6.4) to a 400- to 500-mL beaker.

11.8.2.2 Prepare a precision and recovery aliquot by adding 1-2 g of the oily liquid 

reference matrix (Section 7.6.4) to a separate 400- to 500-mL beaker. 

Record the weight to the nearest 10 mg. If the initial precision and recovery 

test is to be performed, use four aliquots; if the ongoing precision and 

recovery test is to be performed, use a single aliquot.

11.8.3 Spiking

11.8.3.1 Spike 1.0 mL of the labeled standard spiking solution (Section 7.12) into the 

sample, blank, and OPR aliquot.

11.8.3.2 Spike 1.0 mL of the native standard spiking solution (Section 7.11) into the 

OPR aliquot.

11.8.4 Extract the aliquots using the procedures in Section 12.4.

12.0 Extraction and concentration

12.1 Extraction procedures include solid phase (Section 12.2.1), separatory funnel (Section 12.2.2), 

and continuous liquid/liquid (Section 12.2.3) for aqueous liquids; Soxhlet/Dean-Stark (Section 

12.3) for solids and filters; and Soxhlet extraction (Section 12.4) for tissues. Acid/base backextraction (Section 12.5) is used for initial cleanup of extracts.

Macro-concentration procedures include rotary evaporation (Section 12.6.1), heating mantle 

(Section 12.6.2), and Kuderna-Danish (K-D) evaporation (Section 12.6.3). Micro-concentration 

uses nitrogen evaporation (Section 12.7).

12.2 Extraction of aqueous liquids

12.2.1 SPE of samples containing less than one percent solids

12.2.1.1 Disk preparation

12.2.1.1.1 Remove the test tube from the suction flask (Figure 4). Place an 

SPE disk on the base of the filter holder and wet with methylene 

chloride. While holding a GMF 150 filter above the SPE disk 

with tweezers, wet the filter with methylene chloride and lay the

filter on the SPE disk, making sure that air is not trapped 

between the filter and disk. Clamp the filter and SPE disk 

between the 1-L glass reservoir and the vacuum filtration flask.
EPA Method 1614A 35 May 2010

12.2.1.1.2 Rinse the sides of the reservoir with approx 15 mL of methylene 

chloride using a squeeze bottle or pipet. Apply vacuum 

momentarily until a few drops appear at the drip tip. Release the 

vacuum and allow the filter/disk to soak for approx one minute. 

Apply vacuum and draw all of the methylene chloride through 

the filter/disk. Repeat the wash step with approx 15 mL of 

acetone and allow the filter/disk to air dry.

12.2.1.2 Sample extraction

12.2.1.2.1 Pre-wet the disk by adding approx 20 mL of methanol to the 

reservoir. Pull most of the methanol through the filter/disk, 

retaining a layer of methanol approx 2 mm thick on the filter. 

Do not allow the filter/disk to go dry until the extraction is 

completed.

12.2.1.2.2 Add approx 20 mL of reagent water to the reservoir and pull 

most through, leaving a layer approx 2 mm thick on the 

filter/disk.

12.2.1.2.3 Allow the sample (Section 11.4.2.5) to stand for 1-2 hours, if 

necessary, to settle the suspended particles. Decant the clear 

layer of the sample, the blank (Section 11.4.2.4), or IPR/OPR 

aliquot (Section 11.4.2.4) into its respective reservoir and turn on 

the vacuum to begin the extraction. Adjust the vacuum to 

complete the extraction in no less than 10 minutes. For samples 

containing a high concentration of particles (suspended solids), 

the extraction time may be an hour or longer.

12.2.1.2.4 Before all of the sample has been pulled through the filter/disk, 

add approximately 50 mL of reagent water to the sample bottle, 

swirl to suspend the solids (if present), and pour into the 

reservoir. Pull through the filter/disk. Use additional reagent 

water rinses until all solids are removed.

12.2.1.2.5 Before all of the sample and rinses have been pulled through the 

filter/disk, rinse the sides of the reservoir with small portions of 

reagent water.

12.2.1.2.6 Partially dry the filter/disk under vacuum for approximately 3 

minutes.

12.2.1.3 Elution of the filter/disk

12.2.1.3.1 Release the vacuum, remove the entire filter/disk/reservoir 

assembly from the vacuum flask, and empty the flask. Insert a 

test tube for eluent collection into the flask. The test tube should 

have sufficient capacity to contain the total volume of the elution 

solvent (approximately 50 mL) and should fit around the drip tip. 

The drip tip should protrude into the test tube to preclude loss of 

sample from spattering when vacuum is applied. Reassemble the 

filter/disk/reservoir assembly on the vacuum flask.
EPA Method 1614A 36 May 2010

12.2.1.3.2 Wet the filter/disk with 4-5 mL of acetone. Allow the acetone to 

spread evenly across the disk and soak for 15-20 seconds. Pull 

the acetone through the disk, releasing the vacuum when 

approximately 1 mm thickness remains on the filter.

12.2.1.3.3 Rinse the sample bottle with approximately 20 mL of methylene 

chloride and transfer to the reservoir. Pull approximately half of 

the solvent through the filter/disk and release the vacuum. 

Allow the filter/disk to soak for approximately 1 minute. Pull all 

of the solvent through the disk. Repeat the bottle rinsing and 

elution step with another 20 mL of methylene chloride. Pull all 

of the solvent through the disk.

12.2.1.3.4 Release the vacuum, remove the filter/disk/reservoir assembly, 

and remove the test tube containing the sample solution. 

Quantitatively transfer the solution to a 250-mL separatory 

funnel and proceed to Section 12.5 for back-extraction.

12.2.2 Separatory funnel extraction

12.2.2.1 Pour the spiked sample (Section 11.4.2.2) into a 2-L separatory funnel. 

Rinse the bottle or flask twice with 5 mL of reagent water and add these 

rinses to the separatory funnel.

12.2.2.2 Add 60 mL methylene chloride to the empty sample bottle. Seal the bottle 

and shake 60 seconds to rinse the inner surface. Transfer the solvent to the 

separatory funnel, and extract the sample by shaking the funnel for 2 minutes 

with periodic venting. Allow the organic layer to separate from the aqueous 

phase for a minimum of 10 minutes. If an emulsion forms and is more than 

one-third the volume of the solvent layer, employ mechanical techniques to 

complete the phase separation (see note below). Drain the methylene 

chloride extract through a solvent-rinsed glass funnel approximately one-half 

full of granular anhydrous sodium sulfate (Section 7.2.1) supported on clean 

glass-fiber paper into a solvent-rinsed concentration device (Section 12.6).

Note: If an emulsion forms, the laboratory must employ mechanical techniques to complete the phase 

separation. The optimum technique depends upon the sample, but may include stirring, filtration through 

glass wool, use of phase separation paper, centrifugation, use of an ultrasonic bath with ice, addition of 

NaCl, or other physical methods. Alternatively, solid-phase (Section 12.2.1), continuous liquid/liquid 

(CLLE; Section 12.2.3), or other extraction techniques may be used to prevent emulsion formation. Any 

alternative technique is acceptable so long as the requirements in Section 9.2 are met.

12.2.2.3 Extract the water sample two more times with 60-mL portions of methylene 

chloride. Drain each portion through the sodium sulfate into the 

concentrator. After the third extraction, rinse the separatory funnel with at 

least 20 mL of methylene chloride, and drain this rinse through the sodium 

sulfate into the concentrator. Repeat this rinse at least twice. Set aside the 

funnel with sodium sulfate if the extract is to be combined with the extract 

from the particles.
EPA Method 1614A 37 May 2010

12.2.2.4 Concentrate the extract using one of the macro-concentration procedures in 

Section 12.6 and proceed to back extraction in Section 12.5.

12.2.3 Continuous liquid/liquid extraction

12.2.3.1 Place 100-150 mL methylene chloride in each continuous extractor and 200-

300 mL in each distilling flask.

12.2.3.2 Pour the sample(s), blank, and QC aliquots into the extractors. Rinse the 

sample containers with 50-100 mL methylene chloride and add to the 

respective extractors. Include all solids in the extraction process.

12.2.3.3 Begin the extraction by heating the flask until the methylene chloride is 

boiling. When properly adjusted, 1-2 drops of methylene chloride per second 

will fall from the condenser tip into the water. Extract for 16-24 hours.

12.2.3.4 Remove the distilling flask, estimate and record the volume of extract (to the 

nearest 100 mL), and pour the contents through a drying column containing 7 

to 10 cm of granular anhydrous sodium sulfate into a 500-mL K-D 

evaporator flask equipped with a 10-mL concentrator tube. Rinse the 

distilling flask with 30-50 mL of methylene chloride and pour through the 

drying column. Concentrate and exchange to hexane per Section 12.6 and 

back extract per Section 12.5.

12.3 SDS extraction of samples containing particles

12.3.1 Charge a clean extraction thimble (Section 6.4.2.2) with 5.0 g of 100/200 mesh silica 

(Section 7.5.1.1) topped with 100 g of quartz sand (Section 7.3.2). Do not disturb the 

silica layer throughout the extraction process.

12.3.2 Place the thimble in a clean extractor. Place 30 to 40 mL of toluene in the receiver and 

200 to 250 mL of toluene in the flask.

12.3.3 Pre-extract the glassware by heating the flask until the toluene is boiling. When properly 

adjusted, 1 to 2 drops of toluene will fall per second from the condenser tip into the 

receiver. Extract the apparatus for a minimum of 3 hours.

12.3.4 After pre-extraction, cool and disassemble the apparatus. Rinse the thimble with toluene 

and allow to air dry.

12.3.5 Load the wet sample and/or filter from Sections 11.5.8, 11.6.5, or 11.7.5 and any 

nonaqueous liquid from Section 11.6.3 into the thimble and manually mix into the sand 

layer with a clean metal spatula, carefully breaking up any large lumps of sample.

12.3.6 Reassemble the pre-extracted SDS apparatus, and add a fresh charge of toluene to the 

receiver and reflux flask. Apply power to the heating mantle to begin refluxing. Adjust 

the reflux rate to match the rate of percolation through the sand and silica beds until water 

removal lessens the restriction to toluene flow. Frequently check the apparatus for 

foaming during the first 2 hours of extraction. If foaming occurs, reduce the reflux rate 

until foaming subsides.

12.3.7 Drain the water from the receiver at 1-2 hours and 8-9 hours, or sooner if the receiver fills 
EPA Method 1614A 38 May 2010

with water. Save the water. Reflux the sample for a total of 16-24 hours.

12.3.8 Cool and disassemble the apparatus. Remove the distilling flask. Drain the water from 

the Dean-Stark receiver and add any toluene in the receiver to the extract in the flask. 

Record the total volume of water collected.

12.3.9 Quantitatively transfer the extract to a macro-concentration device (Section 12.6), and 

concentrate to near dryness. Dilute to approximately 100 mL with methylene chloride, 

quantitatively transfer to a 250-mL separatory funnel, and proceed with back-extraction 

(Section 12.5).

12.4 Soxhlet extraction of tissue

Note: This procedure includes determination of the lipid content of the sample (Sections 12.4.8 to 

12.4.9), using the same sample extract that is analyzed by GC/MS. Alternatively, a separate sample 

aliquot may be used for the lipid determination. If a separate aliquot is used, use nitrogen to evaporate 

the main portion of the sample extract only to the extent necessary to effect the solvent exchange to nhexane, so that loss of low molecular weight PBDEs is avoided, i.e., it is not necessary to dry the main 

portion of the sample to constant weight (Section 12.4.8).

12.4.1 Add 30 to 40 g of powdered anhydrous sodium sulfate (Section 7.2.2) to each of the 

beakers (Section 11.8.4) and mix thoroughly. Cover the beakers with aluminum foil and 

allow to equilibrate until the mixture becomes a free-flowing powder (30 minutes 

minimum). Remix prior to extraction to prevent clumping.

12.4.2 Assemble and pre-extract the Soxhlet apparatus per Sections 12.3.1-12.3.4, substituting 

methylene chloride for the pre-extraction and rinsing, and omitting the quartz sand.

12.4.3 Reassemble the pre-extracted Soxhlet apparatus and add a fresh charge of methylene 

chloride to the reflux flask.

12.4.4 Transfer the sample/sodium sulfate mixture (Section 12.4.1) to the Soxhlet thimble, and 

install the thimble in the Soxhlet apparatus.

12.4.5 Rinse the beaker with several portions of solvent mixture and add to the thimble. Fill the 

thimble/receiver with solvent. Extract for 18-24 hours.

12.4.6 After extraction, cool and disassemble the apparatus.

12.4.7 Quantitatively transfer the extract to a macro-concentration device (Section 12.6), and 

concentrate to near dryness. Set aside the concentration apparatus for re-use.

12.4.8 Complete the removal of the solvent using the nitrogen evaporation procedure (Section 

12.7) and a water bath temperature of 60 °C. Weigh the receiver, record the weight, and 

return the receiver to the evaporation apparatus, concentrating the residue until a constant 

weight is obtained.

12.4.9 Percent lipid determination

12.4.9.1 Redissolve the residue in the receiver in hexane and spike 1.0 mL of the 

labeled cleanup standard spiking solution (Section 7.13) into the solution.
EPA Method 1614A 39 May 2010

12.4.9.2 Transfer the residue/hexane to the anthropogenic isolation column (Section 

13.5), retaining the boiling chips in the concentration apparatus. Use several 

rinses to assure that all material is transferred. If necessary, sonicate or heat 

the receiver slightly to assure that all material is re-dissolved. Allow the 

receiver to dry. Weigh the receiver and boiling chips.

12.4.9.3 Calculate the lipid content to the nearest three significant figures as follows:

x 100

weight of tissue (g)

weight of residue (g) % lipid 

12.4.9.4 The laboratory should determine the lipid content of the blank, IPR, and OPR 

to assure that the extraction system is working effectively.

12.5 Back-extraction with base and acid

12.5.1 Back-extraction may not be necessary for some samples. For some samples, the presence 

of color in the extract may indicate that back-extraction is necessary. If back-extraction 

is not performed, spike 1.0 mL of the labeled cleanup standard spiking solution (Section 

7.13) into the extract and concentrate the extract for cleanup or analysis (Section 12.7). If 

back-extraction is necessary, spike 1.0 mL of the labeled cleanup standard spiking 

solution (Section 7.13) into the separatory funnels containing the sample and QC extracts 

from Section 12.2.1.3.4 or 12.3.9.

12.5.2 Partition the extract against 50 mL of potassium hydroxide solution (Section 7.1.1). 

Shake for 2 minutes with periodic venting into a hood. Remove and discard the aqueous 

layer. Repeat the base washing until no color is visible in the aqueous layer, to a 

maximum of four washings. Minimize contact time between the extract and the base to 

prevent degradation of the BDEs. Stronger potassium hydroxide solutions may be 

employed for back-extraction, provided that the laboratory meets the specifications for 

labeled compound recovery and demonstrates acceptable performance using the 

procedure in Section 9.2.

12.5.3 Partition the extract against 50 mL of sodium chloride solution (Section 7.1.4) in the 

same way as with base. Discard the aqueous layer.

12.5.4 Partition the extract against 50 mL of sulfuric acid (Section 7.1.2) in the same way as 

with base. Repeat the acid washing until no color is visible in the aqueous layer, to a 

maximum of four washings.

12.5.5 Repeat the partitioning against sodium chloride solution and discard the aqueous layer.

12.5.6 Pour each extract through a drying column containing 7 to 10 cm of granular anhydrous 

sodium sulfate (Section 7.2.1). Rinse the separatory funnel with 30 to 50 mL of solvent, 

and pour through the drying column. Collect each extract in a round-bottom flask. Reconcentrate the sample and QC aliquots per Sections 12.6-12.7, and clean up the samples 

and QC aliquots per Section 13.

12.6 Macro-concentration – Extracts in toluene are concentrated using a rotary evaporator or a heating 

mantle; extracts in methylene chloride or hexane are concentrated using a rotary evaporator, 

heating mantle, or Kuderna-Danish apparatus.
EPA Method 1614A 40 May 2010

Note: In the concentration procedures below, the extract must not be allowed to concentrate to dryness 

because the mono- through di- BDEs may be totally or partially lost.

12.6.1 Rotary evaporation – Concentrate the extracts in separate round-bottom flasks.

12.6.1.1 Assemble the rotary evaporator according to manufacturer's instructions, and 

warm the water bath to 45 °C. On a daily basis, pre-clean the rotary 

evaporator by concentrating 100 mL of clean extraction solvent through the 

system. Archive both the concentrated solvent and the solvent in the catch 

flask for a contamination check if necessary. Between samples, rinse three 

2- to 3-mL aliquots of solvent down the feed tube into a waste beaker to 

preclude sample cross-contamination.

12.6.1.2 Attach the round-bottom flask containing the sample extract to the rotary 

evaporator. Slowly apply vacuum to the system, and begin rotating the 

sample flask.

12.6.1.3 Lower the flask into the water bath, and adjust the speed of rotation and the 

temperature as required to complete concentration in 15 to 20 minutes. At 

the proper rate of concentration, the flow of solvent into the receiving flask 

will be steady, but no bumping or visible boiling of the extract will occur.

Note: If the rate of concentration is too fast, analyte loss may occur.

 

12.6.1.4 When the liquid in the concentration flask has reached an apparent volume of 

approximately 2 mL, remove the flask from the water bath and stop the 

rotation. Slowly and carefully admit air into the system. Be sure not to open 

the valve so quickly that the sample is blown out of the flask. Rinse the feed 

tube with approximately 2 mL of solvent.

12.6.1.5 Proceed to Section 12.6.4 for preparation for back-extraction or microconcentration and solvent exchange.

12.6.2 Heating mantle – Concentrate the extracts in separate round-bottom flasks.

12.6.2.1 Add one or two clean boiling chips to the round-bottom flask, and attach a 

three-ball macro Snyder column. Prewet the column by adding 

approximately 1 mL of solvent through the top. Place the round-bottom flask 

in a heating mantle, and apply heat as required to complete the concentration 

in 15 to 20 minutes. At the proper rate of distillation, the balls of the column 

will actively chatter, but the chambers will not flood.

12.6.2.2 When the liquid has reached an apparent volume of approximately 10 mL, 

remove the round-bottom flask from the heating mantle and allow the solvent 

to drain and cool for at least 10 minutes. Remove the Snyder column and 

rinse the glass joint into the receiver with small portions of solvent.

12.6.2.3 Proceed to Section 12.6.4 for preparation for back-extraction or microconcentration and solvent exchange.

12.6.3 Kuderna-Danish (K-D) – Concentrate the extracts in separate 500-mL K-D flasks 

equipped with 10-mL concentrator tubes. The K-D technique is used for solvents such as 
EPA Method 1614A 41 May 2010

methylene chloride and hexane. Toluene is difficult to concentrate using the K-D 

technique unless a water bath fed by a steam generator is used.

12.6.3.1 Add 1 to 2 clean boiling chips to the receiver. Attach a three-ball macro 

Snyder column. Prewet the column by adding approximately 1 mL of 

solvent through the top. Place the K-D apparatus in a hot water bath so that 

the entire lower rounded surface of the flask is bathed with steam.

12.6.3.2 Adjust the vertical position of the apparatus and the water temperature as 

required to complete the concentration in 15 to 20 minutes. At the proper 

rate of distillation, the balls of the column will actively chatter but the 

chambers will not flood.

12.6.3.3 When the liquid has reached an apparent volume of 1 mL, remove the K-D 

apparatus from the bath and allow the solvent to drain and cool for at least 10 

minutes. Remove the Snyder column and rinse the flask and its lower joint 

into the concentrator tube with 1 to 2 mL of solvent. A 5-mL syringe is 

recommended for this operation.

12.6.3.4 Remove the three-ball Snyder column, add a fresh boiling chip, and attach a 

two ball micro Snyder column to the concentrator tube. Prewet the column 

by adding approximately 0.5 mL of solvent through the top. Place the 

apparatus in the hot water bath.

12.6.3.5 Adjust the vertical position and the water temperature as required to 

complete the concentration in 5 to 10 minutes. At the proper rate of 

distillation, the balls of the column will actively chatter but the chambers will 

not flood.

12.6.3.6 When the liquid reaches an apparent volume of 0.5 mL, remove the 

apparatus from the water bath and allow to drain and cool for at least 10 

minutes.

12.6.3.7 Proceed to 12.6.4 for preparation for back-extraction or micro-concentration 

and solvent exchange.

12.6.4 Preparation for back-extraction or micro-concentration and solvent exchange

12.6.4.1 For back-extraction (Section 12.5), transfer the extract to a 250-mL 

separatory funnel. Rinse the concentration vessel with small portions of 

hexane, adjust the hexane volume in the separatory funnel to 10 to 20 mL, 

and proceed to back-extraction (Section 12.5).

12.6.4.2 For determination of the weight of residue in the extract, or for clean-up 

procedures other than back-extraction, transfer the extract to a evaporation 

vial using 2-3 rinses of solvent. Proceed with micro-concentration and 

solvent exchange (Section 12.7).

12.7 Micro-concentration and solvent exchange

12.7.1 Extracts to be subjected to GPC cleanup are exchanged into methylene chloride. Extracts 

to be cleaned up using silica gel, Florisil, and/or alumina are exchanged into hexane.
EPA Method 1614A 42 May 2010

12.7.2 Transfer the vial containing the sample extract to a nitrogen evaporation device. Adjust 

the flow of nitrogen so that the surface of the solvent is just visibly disturbed. A large 

vortex in the solvent may cause analyte loss.

12.7.3 Lower the vial into a 40-45 °C water bath and continue concentrating. Care should be 

taken to avoid solvent bumping.

12.7.3.1 If the extract or an aliquot of the extract is to be concentrated to dryness for 

weight determination (Sections 12.4.8 -12.4.9 and 13.5.4), blow dry until a 

constant weight is obtained.

12.7.3.2 If the extract is to be concentrated for injection into the GC/MS or the 

solvent is to be exchanged for extract cleanup, proceed as follows:

12.7.4 When the volume of the liquid is approximately 100 L, add 2 to 3 mL of the desired 

solvent (methylene chloride for GPC or hexane for the other cleanups) and continue 

concentrating to approximately 100 L. Repeat the addition of solvent and concentrate 

once more.

12.7.5 If the extract is to be cleaned up by GPC, adjust the volume of the extract to 5.0 mL with 

methylene chloride and proceed with GPC cleanup (Section 13.2).

12.7.6 If the extract is to be cleaned up by column chromatography (silica gel, Florisil, or 

alumina), bring the final volume to 1.0 mL with hexane. Proceed with column cleanup 

(Sections 13.3, 13.4, or 13.6).

12.7.7 If the extract is to be concentrated for injection into the GC/MS (Section 14), 

quantitatively transfer the extract to a 0.3-mL conical vial for final concentration, rinsing 

the larger vial with hexane and adding the rinse to the conical vial. Reduce the volume to 

approximately 100 L. Add 20 L of nonane to the vial, and evaporate the solvent to the 

level of the nonane. Seal the vial and label with the sample number. Store in the dark at 

room temperature until ready for GC/MS analysis. If GC/MS analysis will not be 

performed on the same day, store the vial at less than -10 °C.

13.0 Extract cleanup

13.1 Cleanup may not be necessary for relatively clean samples (e.g., treated effluents, groundwater, 

and drinking water). If particular circumstances require the use of a cleanup procedure, the 

laboratory may use any or all of the procedures below or any other appropriate procedure. Before 

using a cleanup procedure, the laboratory must demonstrate that the requirements of Section 9.2 

can be met using the cleanup procedure.

13.1.1 Gel permeation chromatography (Section 13.2) removes high molecular weight 

interferences that cause GC column performance to degrade. It should be used for all soil 

and sediment extracts. It may be used for water extracts that are expected to contain high 

molecular weight organic compounds (e.g., polymeric materials, humic acids). It should 

also be used for tissue extracts after initial cleanup on the anthropogenic isolation column 

(Section 13.5).
EPA Method 1614A 43 May 2010

13.1.2 Acid, neutral, and basic silica gel (Section 13.3), alumina (Section 13.4), and Florisil 

(Section 13.6) are used to remove non-polar and polar interferences.

13.1.3 The anthropogenic isolation column (Section 13.5) is used for removal of lipids from 

tissue samples.

13.2 Gel permeation chromatography (GPC)

13.2.1 Column packing

13.2.1.1 Place 70 to 75 g of SX-3 Bio-beads (Section 6.7.1.1) in a 400- to 500-mL 

beaker.

13.2.1.2 Cover the beads with methylene chloride and allow to swell overnight (a 

minimum of 12 hours).

13.2.1.3 Transfer the swelled beads to the column (Section 6.7.1.1) and pump solvent 

through the column, from bottom to top, at 4.5 to 5.5 mL/minute prior to 

connecting the column to the detector.

13.2.1.4 After purging the column with solvent for 1 to 2 hours, adjust the column 

head pressure to 7 to 10 psig and purge for 4 to 5 hours to remove air. 

Maintain a head pressure of 7 to 10 psig. Connect the column to the detector 

(Section 6.7.1.4).

13.2.2 Column calibration

13.2.2.1 Load 5 mL of the GPC calibration solution (Section 7.4) into the sample 

loop.

13.2.2.2 Inject the GPC calibration solution and record the signal from the detector. 

The elution pattern will be corn oil, DeBDE, BEHP, methoxychlor, perylene, 

and sulfur.

13.2.2.3 Set the “dump time” to allow >85% removal the corn oil and >85% 

collection of DeBDE (see the note in Section 7.4).

13.2.2.4 Set the “collect time” to the time of the sulfur peak maximum.

13.2.2.5 Verify calibration with the GPC calibration solution after every 20 extracts. 

Calibration is verified if the recovery of the DeBDE is greater than 85%. If 

calibration is not verified, the system must be recalibrated using the GPC 

calibration solution, and the previous sample batch must be re-extracted and 

cleaned up using the calibrated GPC system.

13.2.3 Extract cleanup – GPC requires that the column not be overloaded. The column specified 

in this method is designed to handle a maximum of 0.5 g of material from an aqueous, 

soil, or mixed-phase sample in a 5-mL extract, and has been shown to handle 1.5 g of 

lipid from a tissue sample in a 5-mL extract. If the extract is known or expected to 

contain more than these amounts, the extract is split into aliquots for GPC, and the 

aliquots are combined after elution from the column. The residue content of the extract 

may be obtained gravimetrically by evaporating the solvent from a 50 L aliquot.
EPA Method 1614A 44 May 2010

13.2.3.1 Filter the extract or load through the filter holder (Section 6.7.1.3) to remove 

particles. Load the 5.0-mL extract onto the column.

13.2.3.2 Elute the extract using the calibration data determined in Section 13.2.2. 

Collect the eluate in a clean 400- to 500-mL beaker. Allow the system to 

rinse for additional 10 minutes before injecting the next sample.

13.2.3.3 Rinse the sample loading tube thoroughly with methylene chloride between 

extracts to prepare for the next sample.

13.2.3.4 If an extract is encountered that could overload the GPC column to the extent 

that carry-over could occur, a 5.0-mL methylene chloride blank must be run 

through the system to check for carry-over.

13.2.3.5 Concentrate the eluate per Sections 12.6 and 12.7 for further cleanup or 

injection into the GC/MS.

13.3 Silica gel cleanup

13.3.1 Place a glass-wool plug in a 15-mm ID chromatography column (Section 6.7.3.2). Pack 

the column bottom to top with: 1 g silica gel (Section 7.5.1.1), 4 g basic silica gel 

(Section 7.5.1.3), 1 g silica gel, 8 g acid silica gel (Section 7.5.1.2), 2 g silica gel, and 4 g 

granular anhydrous sodium sulfate (Section 7.2.1). Tap the column to settle the 

adsorbents.

13.3.2 Pre-elute the column with 50 to 100 mL of hexane. Close the stopcock when the hexane 

is within 1 mm of the sodium sulfate. Discard the eluate. Check the column for 

channeling. If channeling is present, discard the column and prepare another.

13.3.3 Apply the concentrated extract to the column. Open the stopcock until the extract is 

within 1 mm of the sodium sulfate.

13.3.4 Rinse the receiver twice with 1-mL portions of hexane, and apply separately to the 

column. Elute the BDEs with 25 mL of n-hexane and collect the eluate.

13.3.5 Concentrate the eluate per Section 12.6 and 12.7 for further cleanup or injection into the 

GC/MS.

13.3.6 For extracts of samples known to contain large quantities of other organic compounds, it 

may be advisable to increase the capacity of the silica gel column. This may be 

accomplished by increasing the strengths of the acid and basic silica gels. The acid silica 

gel (Section 7.5.1.2) may be increased in strength to as much as 40% w/w (6.7 g sulfuric 

acid added to 10 g silica gel). The basic silica gel (Section 7.5.1.3) may be increased in 

strength to as much as 33% w/w (50 mL 1N NaOH added to 100 g silica gel), or the 

potassium silicate (Section 7.5.1.4) may be used.

The use of stronger acid silica gel (44% w/w) may lead to charring of organic compounds 

in some extracts. The charred material may retain some of the analytes and lead to lower 

recoveries of the BDEs. Increasing the strengths of the acid and basic silica gel may also 

require different volumes of solvent than those specified above to elute the analytes from 
EPA Method 1614A 45 May 2010

the column. The performance of the method after such modifications must be verified 

by the procedure in Section 9.2.

13.4 Alumina

13.4.1 Place a glass-wool plug in a 15-mm ID chromatography column (Section 6.7.3.2). 

13.4.2 If using acid alumina, pack the column by adding 6 g acid alumina (Section 7.5.2.1); if 

using basic alumina, substitute 6 g basic alumina (Section 7.5.2.2). Tap the column to 

settle the adsorbent.

13.4.3 Pre-elute the column with 50 to 100 mL of hexane. Close the stopcock when the hexane 

is within 1 mm of the alumina.

13.4.4 Discard the eluate. Check the column for channeling. If channeling is present, discard 

the column and prepare another.

13.4.5 Apply the concentrated extract to the column. Open the stopcock until the extract is 

within 1 mm of the alumina.

13.4.6 Rinse the receiver twice with 1-mL portions of hexane and apply separately to the 

column. Elute the interfering compounds with 15 mL hexane and discard the eluate. 

Elute the BDEs with methylene chloride:hexane (50:50 v/v) and collect the eluate. A 

higher percent methylene chloride solution may be required for more highly activated 

alumina.

13.4.7 The volume of eluting solvents will depend on the choice (acid or basic) and activity of 

the alumina. Determine the volume by test.

13.4.8 Concentrate the eluate per Section 12.6 and 12.7 for further cleanup or injection into the 

GC/MS.

13.5 Anthropogenic isolation column (Reference 14) – Used for removal of lipids from tissue extracts

13.5.1 Prepare the column as given in Section 7.5.3.

13.5.2 Pre-elute the column with 100 mL of hexane. Drain the hexane layer to the top of the 

column, but do not expose the sodium sulfate.

13.5.3 Load the sample and rinses (Section 12.4.9.2) onto the column by draining each portion 

to the top of the bed. Elute the BDEs from the column into the apparatus used for 

concentration (Section 12.4.7) using 200 mL of hexane.

13.5.4 Remove a small portion (e.g., 50 L) of the extract for determination of residue content. 

Estimate the percent of the total that this portion represents. Concentrate the small 

portion to constant weight per Section 12.7.3.1. Calculate the total amount of residue in 

the extract. If more than 500 mg of material remains, repeat the cleanup using a fresh 

anthropogenic isolation column.

13.5.5 If necessary, exchange the extract to a solvent suitable for the additional cleanups to be 

used (Section 13.2-13.4 and 13.6).
EPA Method 1614A 46 May 2010

13.5.6 Clean up the extract using the procedures in Sections 13.2-13.4 and 13.6. GPC (Section 

13.2) and Florisil (Section 13.6) are recommended as minimum additional cleanup steps.

13.5.7 Following cleanup, concentrate the extract to 20 L as described in Section 12.7 and 

proceed with the analysis in Section 14.

13.6 Florisil cleanup 

13.6.1 Begin to drain the n-hexane from the column (Section 7.5.4.1.2). Adjust the flow rate of 

eluant to 4.5-5.0 mL/min.

13.6.2 When the n-hexane is within 1 mm of the sodium sulfate, apply the sample extract (in 

hexane) to the column. Rinse the sample container twice with 1-mL portions of hexane 

and apply to the column.

13.6.3 Elute the BDEs with n-hexane and/or ether in n-hexane and collect the eluate. The exact 

volumes of solvents will need to be determined for each batch of Florisil. If the BDEs 

are not to be separated according to polarity, elute all BDEs with ether in n-hexane.

13.6.4 Concentrate the eluate(s) per Sections 12.6–12.7 for further cleanup or for injection into 

the GC/MS.

14.0 HRGC/HRMS analysis

14.1 Establish the operating conditions given in Section 10.1.

14.2 Add 2 L of the labeled injection internal standard spiking solution (Section 7.14) to the 20 L 

sample extract immediately prior to injection to minimize the possibility of loss by evaporation, 

adsorption, or reaction. If an extract is to be reanalyzed and evaporation has occurred, do not add 

more labeled injection internal standard spiking solution. Rather, bring the extract back to its 

previous volume with nonane (e.g., 21 L if a 1 L injection volume was used; 20 L if a 2 L 

injection volume was used; 17 μL if a 5 μL injection volume was used).

14.3 Inject 1.0 or 2.0L (5 μL if using the short column) of the the concentrated extract that contains 

the labeled injection internal standards (Section 14.2) using on-column or splitless injection. The 

volume injected must be identical to the volume used for calibration (Section 10.3).

14.3.1 Start the GC column initial isothermal hold upon injection. Start MS data collection after 

the solvent peak elutes.

14.3.2 Monitor the exact m/z’s at each LOB throughout the LOB retention time window. Where 

warranted, monitor m/z’s associated with congeners at higher levels of bromination to 

assure that fragments are not interfering with the m/z’s for congeners at lower levels of 

bromination. Also where warranted, monitor m/z’s associated with interferents expected 

to be present.

14.3.3 Stop data collection after 13C12-DeBDE has eluted. Return the column to the initial 

temperature for analysis of the next extract or standard.
EPA Method 1614A 47 May 2010

Note: It has been reported that decabromodiphenylethane elutes approximately 3 minutes after DeBDE, 

has m/z’s in common with 13C12-DeBDE, and may interfere in a subsequent run. If known or suspected to 

be present, sufficient time should be allowed for decabromodiphenylethane to elute.

15.0 System and laboratory performance

15.1 At the beginning of each 12-hour shift during which analyses are performed, GC/MS system 

performance and calibration are verified for all native BDEs and labeled compounds. For these 

tests, the CS-3 calibration verification (VER) standard (Section 7.10.1 and Table 5) is analyzed. 

If BDEs in addition to the BDEs of primary interest are to be determined, the Diluted combined 

congener solution (Section 7.10.2.2.2) is used in place of the VER standard to verify all 

performance criteria. Adjustment and/or recalibration (Section 10) must be performed until all 

performance criteria are met. Only after all performance criteria are met may samples, blanks, 

IPRs, and OPRs be analyzed.

15.2 MS resolution – Static resolving power checks must be performed at the beginning and at the end 

of each shift per Sections 10.2.1. If analyses are performed on successive shifts, only the 

beginning of shift static resolving power check is required. If the requirement in Section 10.2.1 

cannot be met, the problem must be corrected before analyses can proceed. If any of the samples 

in the previous shift may be affected by poor resolution, those samples must be re-analyzed.

15.3 Calibration verification

15.3.1 Inject the VER (CS-3) standard using the procedure in Section 14. If BDEs in addition to 

the BDEs of primary interest are to be determined, inject the Diluted combined congener 

solution (7.10.2.2.2).

15.3.2 The ion abundance ratios for all BDEs must be within the limits in Table 8; otherwise, 

the mass spectrometer must be adjusted until the m/z abundance ratios fall within the 

limits specified when the verification test is be repeated. If the adjustment alters the 

resolution of the mass spectrometer, resolution must be verified (Section 10.2.1) prior to 

repeat of the verification test.

15.3.3 The GC peak representing each native BDE and labeled compound in the VER standard 

must be present with a S/N of at least 10; otherwise, the mass spectrometer must be 

adjusted and the verification test repeated.

15.3.4 Compute the concentration of the BDEs that have a labeled analog by isotope dilution 

(Section 17.1). These concentrations are computed based on the calibration data in 

Section 10.

15.3.5 For each compound, compare the concentration with the calibration verification limit in 

Table 6. If all compounds meet the acceptance criteria, calibration has been verified and 

analysis of standards and sample extracts may proceed. If, however, any compound fails 

its respective limit, the measurement system is not performing properly. In this event, 

prepare a fresh calibration standard or correct the problem and repeat the resolution 

(Section 15.2) and verification (Section 15.3) tests, or recalibrate (Section 10). If 

recalibration is required, recalibration for all congeners (Section 10.5) must also be 

performed.

15.4 GC performance
EPA Method 1614A 48 May 2010

15.4.1 Retention times

15.4.1.1 Absolute–The absolute retention times for the labeled congeners (Section 

7.12 and Table 3) in the verification test (Section 15.3) must be within ± 15 

seconds of their respective retention times in the calibration (Section 10).

15.4.1.2 Relative–The relative retention times of native BDEs and labeled compounds 

in the verification test (Section 15.3) must be within their respective RRT 

limits in Table 2 for the long column (Section 6.9.1.1), for the column that 

elutes the mono- through nona- BDEs in the 2-column system (Section 

6.9.1.2) or within their respective RRT limits for the alternate column or 

column system (Section 6.9.1.3). If a short column (Section 6.9.2) is 

employed, the RRTs of the BDEs and labeled compounds must be within the 

limits established from the data in Table 11 (see the footnote to that table for 

establishing RT and RRT limits for the short column).

15.4.1.3 If the absolute or relative retention time of any compound is not within the 

limits specified, the GC is not performing properly. In this event, adjust the 

GC and repeat the verification test (Section 15.3) or recalibrate (Section 10), 

or replace the GC column and either verify calibration or recalibrate.

15.4.2 GC minimum analysis time and peak tailing

15.4.2.1 The peak tailing, resolution, and minimum analysis time specifications in 

Sections 6.9.1 and 6.9.2 must be met for the column or column system 

employed.. If these specifications are not met, the GC analysis conditions 

must be adjusted until the specifications are met, or the column must be 

replaced and the calibration verification tests repeated Sections 15.4.1 

through 15.4.2), or the system must be recalibrated (Section 10).

15.4.2.2 After the peak tailing and minimum analysis time specifications are met, 

update the retention times, relative retention times, and response factors for 

all congeners except the response factors for the compounds that are multipoint calibrated. For these compounds, the multi-point calibration data must 

be used (see Section 10.4 and 15.3).

15.4.3 DeBDE Breakdown Test – Optionally, a DeBDE breakdown test may be performed -

Analyze DeBDE by itself and if more than 10% total OcBDE + NoBDE are present, 

further adjust injector conditions to eliminate the breakdown.

15.5 Ongoing precision and recovery

15.5.1 Analyze the extract of the ongoing precision and recovery (OPR) aliquot (Section 

11.4.2.4, 11.5.4, 11.6.2, or 11.8.3.2) prior to analysis of samples from the same batch.

15.5.2 Compute the percent recovery of the native compounds that have a labeled analog by 

isotope dilution (Section 10.4). Compute the percent recovery of each labeled compound 

by the internal standard method (Section 10.5).

15.5.3 For the native BDEs and labeled compounds, compare the recovery to the OPR limits 

given in Table 6. If all compounds meet the acceptance criteria, system performance is 
EPA Method 1614A 49 May 2010

acceptable and analysis of blanks and samples may proceed. If, however, any individual 

concentration falls outside of the range given, the extraction/concentration processes are 

not being performed properly for that compound. In this event, correct the problem, reprepare, extract, and clean up the sample batch and repeat the ongoing precision and 

recovery test (Section 15.5).

15.5.4 If desired, add results that pass the specifications in Section 15.5.3 to initial and previous 

ongoing data for each compound in each matrix. Update QC charts to form a graphic 

representation of continued laboratory performance. Develop a statement of laboratory 

accuracy for each congener in each matrix type by calculating the average percent 

recovery (R) and the standard deviation of percent recovery (SR). Express the accuracy 

as a recovery interval from R - 2SR to R + 2SR. For example, if R = 95% and SR = 5%, 

the accuracy is 85 to 105%.

15.6 Blank – Analyze the method blank extracted with each sample batch immediately following 

analysis of the OPR aliquot to demonstrate freedom from contamination and freedom from 

carryover from the OPR analysis. The results of the analysis of the blank must meet the 

specifications in Section 9.5.2 before sample analyses may proceed.

16.0 Qualitative determination

Note: A BDE or labeled compound is identified in a standard, blank, or sample when all of the criteria 

in Sections 16.1–16.4 are met.

16.1 The signals for the two exact m/z’s in Table 7 must be present and must maximize within the 

same two scans.

16.2 The signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for the GC peak at each exact m/z must be greater than or equal to 

2.5 for each BDE detected in a sample extract, and greater than or equal to 10 for all BDEs in the 

calibration and verification standards (Sections 10.3.3 and 15.3.3).

16.3 The ratio of the integrated areas of the two exact m/z’s specified in Table 7 must be within the 

limit in Table 8, or within ± 15 percent of the ratio in the midpoint (CS-3) calibration or 

calibration verification (VER), whichever is most recent.

16.4 The relative retention time of the peak for a BDE must be within the RRT QC limits specified in 

Table 2 or developed from calibration data or, if an alternate column or column system is 

employed, within its respective RRT QC limits for the alternate column or column system 

(Section 6.9.1.1 – 6.9.1.3).

For native BDEs determined by internal standard quantitation, a given BDE congener may fall 

within more than one RT window and be misidentified unless the RRT windows are made very 

narrow, as in Table 2. Therefore, consistency of the RT and RRT with other congeners and the 

labeled compounds may be required for rigorous congener identification. Retention time 

regression analysis may aid in this identification.

16.5 Because of congener overlap and the potential for interfering substances, it is possible that all of 

the identification criteria (Sections 16.1-16.4) may not be met. It is also possible that loss of one 

or more bromines from a highly brominated congener may inflate or produce a false 

concentration for a less-brominated congener that elutes at the same retention time. If 
EPA Method 1614A 50 May 2010

identification is ambiguous, an experienced spectrometrist (Section 1.4) must determine the 

presence or absence of the congener.

16.6 If the criteria for identification in Sections 16.1-16.5 are not met, the congener has not been 

identified and the result for that congener may not be reported or used for permitting or regulatory 

compliance purposes. If interferences preclude identification, a new aliquot of sample must be 

extracted, further cleaned up, and analyzed.

17.0 Quantitative determination

17.1 Isotope dilution quantitation

17.1.1 By adding a known amount of the labeled compounds to every sample prior to extraction, 

correction for recovery of the BDE can be made because the native compound and its 

labeled analog exhibit similar effects upon extraction, concentration, and gas 

chromatography. Relative responses (RRs) are used in conjunction with the calibration 

data in Section 10.4 to determine concentrations in the final extract, so long as labeled 

compound spiking levels are constant.

17.1.2 Compute the concentrations of the BDEs that have a labeled analog using the RRs from 

the calibration data (Section 10.4) and following equation:

where:

Cex = concentration of the BDE in the extract (ng/mL) and the other terms are as 

defined in Section 10.4.2

17.2 Internal standard quantitation and labeled compound recovery

17.2.1 Compute the concentrations of the labeled compounds (except labeled PCB 138L) and of 

native BDEs other than those that have a labeled analog using the response factors 

determined from calibration (Section 10.5) or calibration verification (Section 15.4.2.2) 

and the following equation:

where:

Cex = concentration of the BDE in the extract (ng/mL) and the other terms are as 

defined in Section 10.5.2

17.2.2 Using the concentration in the extract determined above, compute the percent recovery of 

the labeled standard BDEs and the labeled cleanup standard BDEs using the following 

equation:

) RR lA2 l(A1

l

(A1n A2n) C

(ng mL) Cex





/ 

) RF is A2 is (A1

is ( A1s A2s

) C

(ng mL) Cex





/ 

x 100

Concentration spiked(ng/mL)

Concentration found(ng/mL) Recovery(%) 
EPA Method 1614A 51 May 2010

17.3 The concentration of a native BDE in the solid phase of the sample is computed using the 

concentration of the compound in the extract and the weight of the solids (Section 11.2.2.3), as 

follows:

where:

Cex = concentration of the BDE in the extract (ng/mL)

Vex = extract volume (mL)

Ws = sample dry weight (g)

17.4 The concentration of a native BDE in the aqueous phase of the sample is computed using the 

concentration of the compound in the extract and the volume of water extracted (Section 

11.4.2.1), as follows:

where:

Cex = concentration of the BDE in the extract (pg/mL)

Vex = extract volume (mL)

Vs = sample volume (L)

17.5 If the SICP area at either quantitation m/z for any congener exceeds the calibration range of the 

system, dilute the sample extract by the factor necessary to bring the concentration within the 

calibration range, adjust the concentration of the labeled injection internal standard to 100 pg/L 

in the extract, and analyze an aliquot of this diluted extract. If the BDEs cannot be measured 

reliably by isotope dilution, dilute and analyze an aqueous sample or analyze a smaller portion of 

a soil, tissue, or mixed-phase sample. Adjust the BDE congener concentrations, detection limits, 

and minimum levels to account for the dilution.

17.6 Reporting of results – Results are reported to three significant figures for the BDEs and labeled 

compounds found in all standards, blanks, and samples.

17.6.1 Reporting units and levels

17.6.1.1 Aqueous samples – Report results in pg/L (parts-per-quadrillion).

17.6.1.2 Samples containing greater than 1% solids (soils, sediments, filter cake, 

compost) – Report results in ng/kg based on the dry weight of the sample. 

Report the percent solids so that the result may be converted to aqueous 

units.

17.6.1.3 Tissues – Report results in ng/kg of wet tissue, not on the basis of the lipid 

content of the tissue. Report the percent lipid content, so that the data user

can calculate the concentration on a lipid basis if desired.

17.6.1.4 Reporting level

17.6.1.4.1 Report results above the minimum level of quantitation (ML) for 

analyses of blanks, standards, and samples. The MLs in Table 2 

are the levels that can be achieved in the presence of common 

laboratory contamination. A laboratory may establish an ML for 

a BDE lower than the MLs in Table 2. MLs may be established 

x 1000

V

C V

Concentration in aqueous sample (ng/L)

s

ex ex 

s

ex ex

W

C V

Concentrat ion in solid sample (ng/kg) 
EPA Method 1614A 52 May 2010

as low as the lowest calibration point (Table 5) provided that the 

concentration of the congener in a minimum of 10 blanks for a 

sample medium (e.g., water, soil, sludge, tissue) is significantly 

below the ML in Table 2. “Significant” means that the ML for 

the congener is no less than 2 standard deviations above the 

mean (average) level in a minimum of 10 blanks (Reference 15). 

The blanks must be analyzed during the same period that 

samples are analyzed, ideally over an approximately 1-month 

period.

17.6.1.4.2 Standards (VER, IPR, OPR) and samples – Report the result for 

each congener at or above the ML to 3 significant figures. 

Report results below the ML as <ML (where ML is the 

concentration at the ML) or as required by the regulatory 

authority or permit.

17.6.1.4.3 Blanks – Report the result for each congener at or above the ML 

to 3 significant figures. Report a result below the ML but above 

the MDL to 2 significant figures. Report a result below the 

MDL as <MDL (where MDL is the concentration at the MDL) 

or as required by the regulatory authority or permit.

17.6.1.4.4 Blank correction – Blank-corrected results may be reported in 

addition to reporting of separate results for samples (Section 

17.6.1.4.1) and blanks (Section 17.6.1.4.3). The recommended 

procedure for blank correction (Reference 15) is that a result is 

significantly above the blank level, and the level in the blank 

may be subtracted, if the result is greater than 2 standard 

deviations above the mean (average) of results of analyses of 10 

or more blanks for a sample medium.

17.6.2 Results for a BDE in a sample that has been diluted are reported at the least dilute level at 

which the area at the quantitation m/z is within the calibration range (Section 17.5).

17.6.3 For a BDE having a labeled analog, report results at the least dilute level at which the 

area at the quantitation m/z is within the calibration range (Section 17.5) and the labeled 

compound recovery is within the normal range for the method (Section 9.3 and Table 6).

17.6.4 If requested, the total concentration of all congeners at a given level of bromination 

(homolog; i.e., total TrBDE, total PeBDE, total HxBDE, etc) may be reported by 

summing the concentrations of all congeners identified at that LOB, including the BDEs 

of primary interest and other BDEs. Also if requested, total BDE may be reported by 

summing all congeners identified at all LOBs.

17.6.5 Reporting of coeluting BDE congeners–Optionally, Delaware River Basin Commission 

(DRBC) data qualifier flags and conventions for reporting coeluting PCB congeners (see 

http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/PCB_info.htm), or other reporting convention agreed upon 

between the laboratory and the discharger/permittee or regulatory/control authority, may 

be applied to reporting of coeluting BDE congeners.

18.0 Analysis of complex samples
EPA Method 1614A 53 May 2010

18.1 Some samples may contain high levels (>10 ng/L; >1000 ng/kg) of the compounds of interest, 

interfering compounds, and/or polymeric materials. Some extracts may not concentrate to 20 L 

(Section 12.7); others may overload the GC column and/or mass spectrometer. Fragment ions 

from congeners at higher levels of bromination may interfere with determination of congeners at 

lower levels of bromination.

18.2 Analyze a smaller aliquot of the sample (Section 17.5) when the extract will not concentrate to 20 

L after all cleanup procedures have been exhausted. If a smaller aliquot of soils or mixed-phase 

samples is analyzed, attempt to assure that the sample is representative.

18.3 Perform integration of peak areas and calculate concentrations manually when interferences 

preclude computerized calculations.

18.4 Several laboratories have reported that backgrounds of many of the BDE congeners are difficult 

to eliminate, and that these backgrounds can interfere with the determination of the BDEs in 

environmental samples. Backgrounds of the BDEs of primary interest (Section 1.1.1) are 

common. The effects of contamination on results for these congeners should be understood in 

order to make a reliable determination.

18.5 Recovery of labeled compounds – In most samples, recoveries of the labeled compounds will be 

similar to those from reagent water or from the alternate matrix (Section 7.6).

18.5.1 If the recovery of any of the labeled compounds is outside of the normal range (Table 6), 

a diluted sample must be analyzed (Section 17.5).

18.5.2 If the recovery of any of the labeled compounds in the diluted sample is outside of 

normal range, the calibration verification standard (Section 7.10.1 and Table 5) must be 

analyzed and calibration verified (Section 15.3).

18.5.3 If the calibration cannot be verified, a new calibration must be performed and the original 

sample extract reanalyzed.

18.5.4 If calibration is verified and the diluted sample does not meet the limits for labeled 

compound recovery, the method does not apply to the sample being analyzed and the 

result may not be reported or used for permitting or regulatory compliance purposes. In 

this case, alternate extraction and cleanup procedures in this method or an alternate GC 

column must be employed to resolve the interference. If all cleanup procedures in this 

method and an alternate GC column have been employed and labeled compound recovery 

remains outside of the normal range, extraction and/or cleanup procedures that are 

beyond this scope of this method will be required to analyze the sample.

19.0 Pollution prevention

19.1 Pollution prevention encompasses any technique that reduces or eliminates the quantity or 

toxicity of waste at the point of generation. Many opportunities for pollution prevention exist in 

laboratory operations. 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 waste 

generation. When wastes cannot be reduced feasibly at the source, the Agency recommends 

recycling as the next best option.
EPA Method 1614A 54 May 2010

19.2 The BDEs in this method are used in extremely small amounts and pose little threat to the 

environment when managed properly. Standards should be prepared in volumes consistent with 

laboratory use to minimize the disposal of excess volumes of expired standards.

19.3 For information about pollution prevention that may be applied to laboratories and research 

institutions, consult Less is Better: Laboratory Chemical Management for Waste Reduction, 

available from the American Chemical Society's Department of Governmental Relations and 

Science Policy, 1155 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20036, 202/872-4477.

20.0 Waste management

20.1 The laboratory is responsible for complying with all Federal, State, and local regulations 

governing waste management, particularly the hazardous waste identification rules and land 

disposal restrictions, and to protect the air, water, and land by minimizing and controlling all 

releases from fume hoods and bench operations. Compliance is also required with any sewage 

discharge permits and regulations. An overview of requirements can be found in Environmental 

Management Guide for Small Laboratories (EPA 233-B-98-001).

20.2 Samples containing HCl or H2SO4 to pH <2 are hazardous and must be neutralized before being 

poured down a drain or must be handled as hazardous waste.

20.3 The BDEs decompose above 800 °C. Low-level waste such as absorbent paper, tissues, animal 

remains, and plastic gloves may be burned in an appropriate incinerator. Gross quantities 

(milligrams) should be packaged securely and disposed of through commercial or governmental 

channels that are capable of handling extremely toxic wastes.

20.4 Liquid or soluble waste should be dissolved in methanol or ethanol and irradiated with ultraviolet 

light with a wavelength shorter than 290 nm for several days. Use F40 BL or equivalent lamps. 

Analyze liquid wastes, and dispose of the solutions when the BDEs can no longer be detected.

20.5 For further information on waste management, consult The Waste Management Manual for 

Laboratory Personnel and Less is Better-Laboratory Chemical Management for Waste 

Reduction, available from the American Chemical Society's Department of Government Relations 

and Science Policy, 1155 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.

21.0 Method performance

Method 1614A was developed in a single laboratory (Reference 16). Figure 8 is a chromatogram 

showing method performance at each level of bromination.

22.0 References

1. Telliard, W.A. and D.R. Rushneck, 2002, Consensus obtained at the “4th Annual Workshop on 

Brominated Flame Retardants in the Environment,” June 17-18, 2002, Canada Centre for Inland 

Waters, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
EPA Method 1614A 55 May 2010

2. “Results of the Literature Search on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers,” December 7, 2001, Prepared 

for the Statistics and Analytical Support Branch; Engineering and Analysis Division (4303T); U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency; 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; Washington, DC 20460.

3. Congeners reported in “Proceedings of the 22nd International Symposium on Halogenated 

Environmental Pollutants and Persistent Organic Pollutants” (Dioxin 2002), Barcelona, Spain, August 

11-16, 2002; Organohalogen Compounds 58 161-249.

4. “Method 1668, Revision A: Chlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in Water, Soil, Sediment, and Tissue by 

HRGC/HRMS,” December 1999, (EPA-821-R-00-002), Statistics and Analytical Support Branch; 

Engineering and Analysis Division (4303T); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 1200 

Pennsylvania Ave., NW; Washington, DC 20460.

5. “Working with Carcinogens,” Department of Health, Education, & Welfare, Public Health Service, 

Centers for Disease Control, NIOSH, Publication 77-206, August 1977, NTIS PB-277256.

6. “OSHA Safety and Health Standards, General Industry,” OSHA 2206, 29 CFR 1910.

7. “Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories,” ACS Committee on Chemical Safety, 1979.

8. “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,” 18th and later editions, American 

Public Health Association, 1015 15th St, NW, Washington, DC 20005, 1-35: Section 1090 (Safety), 

1992.

9. Lamparski, L.L., and Nestrick, T.J., “Novel Extraction Device for the Determination of Chlorinated 

Dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and Dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in Matrices Containing Water,” 

Chemosphere, 19:27-31, 1989.

10. Provost, L.P., and Elder, R.S., “Interpretation of Percent Recovery Data,” American Laboratory, 15: 

56-83, 1983.

11. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20th Edition, published jointly by 

American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Environment 

Federation, Washington, DC, 2005.

12. “Methods 330.4 and 330.5 for Total Residual Chlorine,” USEPA, EMSL, Cincinnati, OH 45268, 

EPA 600/4-70-020, May 1979.

13. “Handbook of Analytical Quality Control in Water and Wastewater Laboratories,” USEPA EMSL, 

Cincinnati, OH 45268, EPA-600/4-79-019, May 1979.

14. Kuehl, D.W., B.C. Butterworth, J. Libal, and P. Marquis, “An Isotope Dilution High Resolution Gas 

Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometric Method for the Determination of Coplanar 

Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Application to Fish and Marine Mammals,” Chemosphere 22:9-10, 849-

858, 1991.

15. Ferrario, J.C., C. Byrne, A.E. Dupuy, Jr., “Background Contamination by Coplanar Polychlorinated 

Biphenyls (PCBs) in Trace Level High Resolution Gas Chromatography/High Resolution Mass 

Spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) Analytical Procedures” Chemosphere 34:11, 2451-2465, 1997.

16. Initial information for this method was provided to EPA by AXYS Analytical Systems and this 

information is contained in this method. No further report is available.
EPA Method 1614A 56 May 2010

23.0 Tables and Figures

Table 1. Names and Congener Numbers for Native and Labeled Bromodiphenyl 

Ether (BDE) Congeners Determined by Isotope Dilution and Internal 

Standard HRGC/HRMS

Native BDE congener Labeled analog 1

Name 2 Number Name Number

2-MoBDE BDE-1

3-MoBDE 3 BDE-2

4-MoBDE BDE-3

13C12-4-MoBDE BDE-3L

2,2'-DiBDE BDE-4

2,3-DiBDE BDE-5

2,3'-DiBDE BDE-6

2,4-DiBDE 4 BDE-7

2,4'-DiBDE 4 BDE-8

2,5-DiBDE BDE-9

2,6-DiBDE BDE-10

3,3'-DiBDE BDE-11

3,4-DiBDE 4 BDE-12

3,4'-DiBDE 4 BDE-13

3,5-DiBDE BDE-14

4,4'-DiBDE 4 BDE-15 13C12-4,4'-DiBDE BDE-15L

2,2',3-TrBDE BDE-16

2,2',4-TrBDE 4 BDE-17

2,2',5-TrBDE BDE-18

2,2',6-TrBDE BDE-19

2,3,3'-TrBDE BDE-20

2,3,4-TrBDE BDE-21

2,3,4'-TrBDE BDE-22

2,3,5-TrBDE BDE-23

2,3,6-TrBDE BDE-24

2,3',4-TrBDE 4 BDE-25

2,3',5-TrBDE BDE-26

2,3',6-TrBDE BDE-27

2,4,4'-TrBDE 4, 5 BDE-28 13C12-2,4,4'-TrBDE BDE-28L

2,4,5-TrBDE BDE-29

2,4,6-TrBDE 4 BDE-30

2,4',5-TrBDE BDE-31

2,4',6-TrBDE 4 BDE-32

2',3,4-TrBDE 4 BDE-33

2',3,5-TrBDE BDE-34

3,3',4-TrBDE 4 BDE-35

3,3',5-TrBDE BDE-36

3,4,4'-TrBDE 4 BDE-37

3,4,5-TrBDE BDE-38

3,4',5-TrBDE BDE-39
EPA Method 1614A 57 May 2010

Table 1. Names and Congener Numbers for Native and Labeled Bromodiphenyl 

Ether (BDE) Congeners Determined by Isotope Dilution and Internal 

Standard HRGC/HRMS

Native BDE congener Labeled analog 1

Name 2 Number Name Number

2,2',3,3'-TeBDE BDE-40

2,2',3,4-TeBDE BDE-41

2,2',3,4'-TeBDE BDE-42

2,2',3,5-TeBDE BDE-43

2,2',3,5'-TeBDE BDE-44

2,2',3,6-TeBDE BDE-45

2,2',3,6'-TeBDE BDE-46

2,2',4,4'-TeBDE 4, 5 BDE-47 13C12-2,2',4,4'-TeBDE BDE-47L

2,2',4,5-TeBDE BDE-48

2,2',4,5'-TeBDE 4 BDE-49

2,2',4,6-TeBDE BDE-50

2,2',4,6'-TeBDE 4 BDE-51

2,2',5,5'-TeBDE BDE-52

2,2',5,6'-TeBDE BDE-53

2,2',6,6'-TeBDE BDE-54

2,3,3',4'-TeBDE BDE-55

2,3,3',4'-TeBDE BDE-56

2,3,3',5-TeBDE BDE-57

2,3,3',5'-TeBDE BDE-58

2,3,3',6-TeBDE BDE-59

2,3,4,4'-TeBDE BDE-60

2,3,4,5-TeBDE BDE-61

2,3,4,6-TeBDE BDE-62

2,3,4',5-TeBDE BDE-63

2,3,4',6-TeBDE BDE-64

2,3,5,6-TeBDE BDE-65

2,3',4,4'-TeBDE 4 BDE-66

2,3',4,5-TeBDE BDE-67

2,3',4,5'-TeBDE BDE-68

2,3',4,6-TeBDE BDE-69

2,3',4',5-TeBDE BDE-70

2,3',4',6-TeBDE 4 BDE-71

2,3',5,5'-TeBDE BDE-72

2,3',5',6-TeBDE BDE-73

2,4,4',5-TeBDE BDE-74

2,4,4',6-TeBDE 4 BDE-75

2',3,4,5-TeBDE BDE-76

3,3',4,4'-TeBDE 4 BDE-77 13C12-3,3',4,4'-TeBDE BDE-77L

3,3',4,5-TeBDE BDE-78

3,3',4,5'-TeBDE 4 BDE-79

3,3',5,5'-TeBDE BDE-80
EPA Method 1614A 58 May 2010

Table 1. Names and Congener Numbers for Native and Labeled Bromodiphenyl 

Ether (BDE) Congeners Determined by Isotope Dilution and Internal 

Standard HRGC/HRMS

Native BDE congener Labeled analog 1

Name 2 Number Name Number

3,4,4',5-TeBDE BDE-81

2,2',3,3',4-PeBDE BDE-82

2,2',3,3',5-PeBDE 4 BDE-83

2,2',3,3',6-PeBDE BDE-84

2,2',3,4,4'-PeBDE 4 BDE-85

2,2',3,4,5-PeBDE BDE-86

2,2',3,4,5'-PeBDE BDE-87

2,2',3,4,6-PeBDE BDE-88

2,2',3,4,6'-PeBDE BDE-89

2,2',3,4',5-PeBDE BDE-90

2,2',3,4',6-PeBDE BDE-91

2,2',3,5,5'-PeBDE BDE-92

2,2',3,5,6-PeBDE BDE-93

2,2',3,5,6'-PeBDE BDE-94

2,2',3,5',6-PeBDE BDE-95

2,2',3,6,6'-PeBDE BDE-96

2,2',3',4,5-PeBDE BDE-97

2,2',3',4,6-PeBDE BDE-98

2,2',4,4',5-PeBDE 4, 5 BDE-99 13C12-2,2',4,4',5-PeBDE BDE-99L

2,2',4,4',6-PeBDE 4, 5 BDE-100 13C12-2,2',4,4',6-PeBDE BDE-100L

2,2',4,5,5'-PeBDE BDE-101

2,2',4,5,6'-PeBDE BDE-102

2,2',4,5,'6-PeBDE BDE-103

2,2',4,6,6'-PeBDE BDE-104

2,3,3',4,4'-PeBDE 4 BDE-105

2,3,3',4,5-PeBDE BDE-106

2,3,3',4',5-PeBDE BDE-107

2,3,3',4,5'-PeBDE BDE-108

2,3,3',4,6-PeBDE BDE-109

2,3,3',4',6-PeBDE BDE-110

2,3,3',5,5'-PeBDE BDE-111

2,3,3',5,6-PeBDE BDE-112

2,3,3',5',6-PeBDE BDE-113

2,3,4,4',5-PeBDE BDE-114

2,3,4,4',6-PeBDE BDE-115

2,3,4,5,6-PeBDE 4 BDE-116

2,3,4',5,6-PeBDE BDE-117

2,3',4,4',5-PeBDE BDE-118

2,3',4,4',6-PeBDE 4 BDE-119

2,3',4,5,5'-PeBDE 4 BDE-120

2,3',4,5,'6-PeBDE BDE-121
EPA Method 1614A 59 May 2010

Table 1. Names and Congener Numbers for Native and Labeled Bromodiphenyl 

Ether (BDE) Congeners Determined by Isotope Dilution and Internal 

Standard HRGC/HRMS

Native BDE congener Labeled analog 1

Name 2 Number Name Number

2',3,3',4,5-PeBDE BDE-122

2',3,4,4',5-PeBDE BDE-123

2',3,4,5,5'-PeBDE BDE-124

2',3,4,5,6'-PeBDE BDE-125

3,3',4,4',5-PeBDE 4 BDE-126 13C12-3,3',4,4',5-PeBDE BDE-126L

3,3',4,5,5'-PeBDE BDE-127

2,2',3,3',4,4'-HxBDE 4 BDE-128

2,2',3,3',4,5-HxBDE BDE-129

2,2',3,3',4,5'-HxBDE BDE-130

2,2',3,3',4,6-HxBDE BDE-131

2,2',3,3',4,6'-HxBDE BDE-132

2,2',3,3',5,5'-HxBDE BDE-133

2,2',3,3',5,6-HxBDE BDE-134

2,2',3,3',5,6'-HxBDE BDE-135

2,2',3,3',6,6'-HxBDE BDE-136

2,2',3,4,4',5-HxBDE BDE-137

2,2',3,4,4',5'-HxBDE 4 BDE-138

2,2',3,4,4',6-HxBDE BDE-139 13C12-2,2',3,4,4',6-HxBDE BDE-139L

2,2',3,4,4',6'-HxBDE 4 BDE-140

2,2',3,4,5,5'-HxBDE BDE-141

2,2',3,4,5,6-HxBDE BDE-142

2,2',3,4,5,6'-HxBDE BDE-143

2,2',3,4,5',6-HxBDE BDE-144

2,2',3,4,6,6'-HxBDE BDE-145

2,2',3,4',5,5'-HxBDE BDE-146

2,2',3,4',5,6-HxBDE BDE-147

2,2',3,4',5,6'-HxBDE BDE-148

2,2',3,4',5',6-HxBDE BDE-149

2,2',3,4',6,6'-HxBDE BDE-150

2,2',3,5,5',6-HxBDE BDE-151

2,2',3,5,6,6'-HxBDE BDE-152

2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE 4, 5 BDE-153 13C12-2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE BDE-153L

2,2',4,4',5',6-HxBDE 4, 5 BDE-154 13C12-2,2',4,4',5',6-HxBDE BDE-154L

2,2',4,4',6,6'-HxBDE 4 BDE-155

2,3,3',4,4',5-HxBDE BDE-156

2,3,3',4,4',5'-HxBDE BDE-157

2,3,3',4,4',6-HxBDE BDE-158

2,3,3',4,5,5'-HxBDE BDE-159

2,3,3',4,5,6-HxBDE BDE-160

2,3,3',4,5',6-HxBDE BDE-161

2,3,3',4',5,5'-HxBDE BDE-162
EPA Method 1614A 60 May 2010

Table 1. Names and Congener Numbers for Native and Labeled Bromodiphenyl 

Ether (BDE) Congeners Determined by Isotope Dilution and Internal 

Standard HRGC/HRMS

Native BDE congener Labeled analog 1

Name 2 Number Name Number

2,3,3',4',5,6-HxBDE BDE-163

2,3,3',4',5',6-HxBDE BDE-164

2,3,3',5,5',6-HxBDE BDE-165

2,3,4,4',5,6-HxBDE 4 BDE-166

2,3',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE BDE-167

2,3',4,4',5',6-HxBDE BDE-168

3,3',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE BDE-169

2,2',3,3',4,4',5-HpBDE BDE-170

2,2'3,3',4,4',6-HpBDE BDE-171

2,2',3,3',4,5,5'-HpBDE BDE-172

2,2',3,3',4,5,6-HpBDE BDE-173

2,2',3,3',4,5,6'-HpBDE BDE-174

2,2',3,3',4,5',6-HpBDE BDE-175

2,2',3,3',4,6,6'-HpBDE BDE-176

2,2',3,3',4',5,6-HpBDE BDE-177

2,2',3,3',5,5',6-HpBDE BDE-178

2,2',3,3',5,6,6'-HpBDE BDE-179

2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-HpBDE BDE-180

2,2',3,4,4',5,6-HpBDE 4 BDE-181

2,2',3,4,4',5,6'-HpBDE BDE-182

2,2',3,4,4',5',6-HpBDE 4, 5 BDE-183 13C12-2,2',3,4,4',5',6-HpBDE BDE-183L

2,2',3,4,4',6,6'-HpBDE BDE-184

2,2',3,4,5,5',6-HpBDE BDE-185

2,2',3,4,5,6,6'-HpBDE BDE-186

2,2',3,4',5,5',6-HpBDE BDE-187

2,2',3,4',5,6,6'-HpBDE BDE-188

2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-HpBDE BDE-189

2,3,3',4,4',5,6-HpBDE 4 BDE-190

2,3,3',4,4',5',6-HpBDE BDE-191

2,3,3',4,5,5',6-HpBDE BDE-192

2,3,3',4',5,5',6-HpBDE BDE-193

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5'-OcBDE BDE-194

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6-OcBDE BDE-195

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6'-OcBDE BDE-196

2,2',3,3',4,4',6,6'-OcBDE BDE-197

2,2',3,3',4,5,5',6-OcBDE BDE-198

2,2',3,3',4,5,5',6'-OcBDE BDE-199

2,2',3,3',4,5,6,6'-OcBDE BDE-200

2,2',3,3',4,5',6,6'-OcBDE BDE-201

2,2',3,3',5,5',6,6'-OcBDE BDE-202

2,2',3,4,4',5,5',6-OcBDE 3 BDE-203
EPA Method 1614A 61 May 2010

Table 1. Names and Congener Numbers for Native and Labeled Bromodiphenyl 

Ether (BDE) Congeners Determined by Isotope Dilution and Internal 

Standard HRGC/HRMS

Native BDE congener Labeled analog 1

Name 2 Number Name Number

2,2',3,4,4',5,6,6'-OcBDE BDE-204

2,3,3',4,4',5,5',6-OcBDE BDE-205

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6-NoBDE BDE-206

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6,6'-NoBDE BDE-207

2,2',3,3',4,5,5',6,6'-NoBDE 3 BDE-208

DeBDE 4,5 BDE-209 13C12-DeBDE BDE-209L

1. Labeled compound in standard solution

2. Abbreviations for levels of bromination

MoBDE = monobromodiphenyl ether HxBDE = hexabromodiphenyl ether

DiBDE = dibromodiphenyl ether HpBDE = heptabromodiphenyl ether

TrBDE = tribromodiphenyl ether OcBDE = octabromodiphenyl ether

TeBDE = tetrabromodiphenyl ether NoBDE = nonabromodiphenyl ether

PeBDE = pentabromodiphenyl ether DeBDE = decabromodiphenyl ether

3. Congener suggested for coverage of this level of bromination

4. Congener (shown in italics) reported in the technical literature in EPA's 2001 literature survey

5. BDEs of primary interest (shown in bold) as determined at the "4th Annual Workshop on Brominated 

Flame Retardants in the Environment," June 17-18, 2002, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, 

Burlington, Ontario, Canada
EPA Method 1614A 62 May 2010

Table 2. Retention Times (RT), RT References, Relative Retention Times (RRTs), Method Detection Limits (MDLs), and Minimum 

Levels (MLs) for the Selected BDE Congeners on the long (30-m) DB-5ht Column (Section 6.9.1.1)

Br

No. 1

Congener 

No. 2,3,4 RT Ref 5

RT 

(min:sec) 6 RRT 7 RRT limits 8

Window 

(sec) 9

Quantitation 

reference 10

MDLs and MLs by Matrix 11

Water (pg/L) Other (ng/kg)

Extract 

(pg/L)

MDL ML MDL ML ML

Compounds using PCB-52L (13C12-2,2',5,5'-TeCB) as Labeled injection internal standard

Monobromodiphenyl ether

1 1 3L 11:26 0.9488 0.9350-0.9627 ± 10 3L

1 2 3L 11:45 0.9751 0.9613-0.9889 ± 10 3L 50 200 5 20 10

1 3 3L 12:04 1.0014 0.9986-1.0055 -2 +3 3L

Dibromodiphenyl ethers

2 10 15L 15:48 0.8642 0.8459-0.8824 ± 20 15L

2 7 15L 16:59 0.9289 0.9152-0.9426 ± 15 15L

2 8/11 15L 17:32 0.9590 0.9499-0.9681 ± 10 15L 40 (12) 100 4 10 5

2 12 15L 17:50 0.9754 0.9663-0.9845 ± 10 15L

2 13 15L 17:54 0.9790 0.9699-0.9881 ± 10 15L

2 15 15L 18:18 1.0009 0.9991-1.0036 -2 +3 15L

Tribromodiphenyl ethers

3 30 28L 20:26 0.8955 0.8809-0.9102 ± 20 28L

3 32 28L 21:45 0.9533 0.9459-0.9606 ± 10 28L

3 17 28L 22:11 0.9722 0.9649-0.9795 ± 10 28L 50 200 5 20 10

3 25 28L 22:17 0.9766 0.9693-0.9839 ± 10 28L

3 28/33 28L 22:49 1.0000 0.9985-1.0022 -2 +3 28L 20 50 2 5 2.5

3 35 28L 23:14 1.0183 1.0110-1.0256 ± 10 28L

3 37 28L 23:41 1.0380 1.0307-1.0453 ± 10 28L

Tetrabromodiphenyl ethers

4 75 47L 26:04 0.9625 0.9563-0.9686 ± 10 47L/77L 30 100 3 10 5

4 51 47L 26:12 0.9674 0.9612-0.9735 ± 10 47L/77L

4 49 47L 26:25 0.9754 0.9692-0.9815 ± 10 47L/77L

4 71 47L 26:33 0.9803 0.9742-0.9865 ± 10 47L/77L

4 47 47L 27:05 1.0000 0.9988-1.0018 -2 +3 47L 25 (12) 100 2.5 10 5

4 79 47L 27:26 1.0123 1.0062-1.0185 ± 10 47L/77L

4 66 47L 27:40 1.0215 1.0154-1.0277 ± 10 47L/77L 20 50 2 5 2.5

4 77 77L 28:34 1.0000 0.9988-1.0018 -2 +3 77L
EPA Method 1614A 63 May 2010

Table 2. Retention Times (RT), RT References, Relative Retention Times (RRTs), Method Detection Limits (MDLs), and Minimum 

Levels (MLs) for the Selected BDE Congeners on the long (30-m) DB-5ht Column (Section 6.9.1.1)

Br

No. 1

Congener 

No. 2,3,4 RT Ref 5

RT 

(min:sec) 6 RRT 7 RRT limits 8

Window 

(sec) 9

Quantitation 

reference 10

MDLs and MLs by Matrix 11

Water (pg/L) Other (ng/kg)

Extract 

(pg/L)

MDL ML MDL ML ML

Labeled compounds

1 3L PCB-52L 12:03 0.6992 0.6702-0.7282 ± 30 PCB-52L

2 15L PCB-52L 18:17 1.0609 1.0319-1.0899 ± 30 PCB-52L

3 28L PCB-52L 22:49 1.3240 1.2950-1.3530 ± 30 PCB-52L

4 47L PCB-52L 27:05 1.5716 1.5426-1.6006 ± 30 PCB-52L

4 77L PCB-52L 28:34 1.6576 1.6286-1.6867 ± 30 PCB-52L

Compounds using PCB-138L (13C122,2',3,4,4',5'-HxCB) as Labeled injection internal standard

Pentabromodiphenyl ethers

5 100 100L 30:10 1.0000 0.9989-1.0017 -2 +3 100L 20 50 2 5 2.5

5 119/120 100L 30:28 1.0099 1.0044-1.0155 ± 10 99L/100L/126L

5 99 99L 31:04 1.0005 0.9995-1.0021 -2 +3 99L 40 100 4 10 5

5 116 99L 31:19 1.0086 1.0032-1.0140 ± 10 99L/100L/126L

5 85 126L 32:34 0.9914 0.9863-0.9964 ± 10 99L/100L/126L 40 100 4 10 5

5 126 126L 32:51 1.0000 0.9990-1.0015 -2 +3 126L

5 105 126L 33:08 12 1.0086 1.0036-1.0137 ± 10 99L/100L/126L

Hexabromodiphenyl ethers

6 155 154L 32:50 0.9816 0.9766-0.9865 ± 10 153L/154L

6 154 154L 33:28 1.0005 0.9995-1.0020 -2 +3 154L 20 50 2 5 2.5

6 153 153L 34:38 1.0005 0.9995-1.0019 -2 +3 153L 20 50 2 5 2.5

6 140 153L 35:2012 1.0207 1.0159-1.0255 ± 10 153L/154L

6 138/166 153L 36:09 1.0443 1.0395-1.0491 ± 10 153L/154L 40 100 4 10 5

6 128 153L 37:43 1.0896 1.0823-1.0968 ± 15 153L/154L

Heptabromodiphenyl ethers

7 183 183L 37:58 1.0000 0.9991-1.0013 -2 +3 183L 30 100 3 10 5

7 181 183L 39:40 1.0448 1.0404-1.0492 ± 10 183L

7 190 183L 39:54 1.0509 1.0465-1.0553 ± 10 183L 20 50 2 5 2.5

Octabromodiphenyl ether

8 203 209L 42:4013 1.1282 1.1194-1.1370 ± 20 209L
EPA Method 1614A 64 May 2010

Table 2. Retention Times (RT), RT References, Relative Retention Times (RRTs), Method Detection Limits (MDLs), and Minimum 

Levels (MLs) for the Selected BDE Congeners on the long (30-m) DB-5ht Column (Section 6.9.1.1)

Br

No. 1

Congener 

No. 2,3,4 RT Ref 5

RT 

(min:sec) 6 RRT 7 RRT limits 8

Window 

(sec) 9

Quantitation 

reference 10

MDLs and MLs by Matrix 11

Water (pg/L) Other (ng/kg)

Extract 

(pg/L)

MDL ML MDL ML ML

Nonabromodiphenyl ether

9 208 209L 45:33 0.9050 0.9000-0.9099 ± 15 209L

9 207 209L 45:52 0.9113 0.9063-0.9162 ± 15 209L

9 206 209L 46:31 0.9242 0.9192-0.9291 ± 15 209L

Decabromodiphenyl ether

10 209 209L 50:20 1.0000 0.9993-0.1010 -2 +3 209L 700 (12) 2000 70 200 100

Labeled compounds

5 100L PCB-138L 30:10 1.2230 1.2095-1.2365 ± 20 PCB-138L

5 99L PCB-138L 31:03 1.2588 1.2453-1.2723 ± 20 PCB-138L

5 126L PCB-138L 32:50 1.3318 1.3115-1.3520 ± 30 PCB-138L

6 154L PCB-138L 33:27 1.3561 1.3358-1.3764 ± 30 PCB-138L

6 153L PCB-138L 34:37 1.4034 1.3831-1.4236 ± 30 PCB-138L

7 183L PCB-138L 37:58 1.5392 1.4986-1.5797 ± 60 PCB-138L

10 209L PCB-138L 50:20 2.0405 2.0000-2.0811 ± 60 PCB-138L

Labeled clean-up standard

6 139L 153L 35:03 1.0125 1.0077-1.0173 ± 10 PCB-138L

Labeled injection internal standards

4 PCB-52L PCB-138L 17:14 0.6986 0.6581-0.7392 ± 60 PCB-138L

6 PCB-138L PCB-138L 24:40 1.0000 1.0000-1.0000 ± 100 PCB-138L

1. Number of bromines on congener

2. Suffix “L” indicates labeled compound.

3. Two congeners in a cell indicate a coelution

4. BDEs of primary interest are shown in boldface.

5. Retention time reference that is used to locate the target congener

6. Retention time (RT) of the target congener.

7. Relative retention time (RRT) between the RT for the congener and 

RT for the reference.

8. Limits based on the magnitude of the RRT, adjusted for closely 

eluting isomers

9. Window width for congener or congener pair. RTs, RRTs, and RRT 

limits may differ slightly from those in Table 2.

10. Labeled congeners that form the quantitation reference. Areas from the exact m/z’s of the 

congeners listed in the quantitation reference are summed, and divided by the number of 

congeners in the quantitation reference. For example, for congener 75, the areas at the exact 

m/z’s for 47L and 77L are summed and the sum is divided by 2 (because there are 2 congeners 

in the quantitation reference).

11. MDLs for “Other” matrix calculated per procedure at 40 CFR 136, Appendix B; MLs for 

“Other” matrix calculated per procedure at 68 FR 11790 (May 12, 2003); MDLs and MLs for 

aqueous matrix calculated as 10 times the MDLs and MLs for the “Other” matrix. MDLs and 

MLs for congeners for which MDLs and MLs are not shown will be similar to the MDLs and 

MLs for congeners at the same level of bromination.

12. This MDL may not be achievable with a laboratory background present. See Table 

10 for MDL achievable with background present for this congener.

13. Estimated retention time
EPA Method 1614A 65 May 2010

Table 3. Concentrations of Native and Labeled Brominated Diphenyl Ethers in Stock 

Solution, Spiking Solution, and Final Extract

Solution concentrations

BDE congener Stock (μg/mL) Spiking (ng/mL) Extract (ng/mL)

Native congener by isotope dilution

28 20 1.0 50

47 20 1.0 50

99 20 1.0 50

100 20 1.0 50

153 20 1.0 50

154 20 1.0 50

183 20 1.0 50

209 200 10 500

Labeled BDE Congener

28L 1.0 2.0 100

47L 1.0 2.0 100

99L 1.0 2.0 100

100L 1.0 2.0 100

153L 1.0 2.0 100

154L 1.0 2.0 100

183L 1.0 2.0 100

209L 10 20 1000

Labeled clean-up

139L 1.0 2.0 100

Labeled injection internal

PCB-52L 5.0 1000 100

PCB-138L 5.0 1000 100

Diluted combined congener

Solution concentration (ng/mL)

Standard Native Labeled

Native congeners

MoBDE thru NoBDE 50

DeBDE 500

Labeled congeners

MoBDE thru NoBDE 100

DeBDE 1000

Labeled cleanup 100

Labeled injection internal 100
EPA Method 1614A 66 May 2010

Table 4. Composition of Individual Native 

BDE Congener Solutions1

Solution Identifier

BDE-A1 BDE-A2

1 11

2 13

3 25

10 33

7 51

8 71

12 79

15 120

30 116

32 155

17 105

28 166

35 183

37 190

75 207

49

47

66

77

100

119

99

85

126

154

153

140

138

128

181

203

208

206

209

Total number of congeners

34 15

1. Congeners listed in retention time order in each 

solution. See Table 3 for concentrations of 

congeners in stock solutions and Table 5 for 

concentrations in calibration standards.
EPA Method 1614A 67 May 2010

Table 5. Concentration of BDE Congeners in Calibration and Calibration Verification Standards1

BDE congener

Congener

number2

Solution concentration (ng/mL)

CS-1 CS-2 CS-3 (VER) CS-4 CS-5

Native

2,4,4'-TrBDE 28 1.0 5.0 50 500 2500

2,2',4,4'-TeBDE 47 1.0 5.0 50 500 2500

2,2',4,4',5-PeBDE 99 1.0 5.0 50 500 2500

2,2',4,4',6-PeBDE 100 1.0 5.0 50 500 2500

2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE 153 1.0 5.0 50 500 2500

2,2',4,4',5',6-HxBDE 154 1.0 5.0 50 500 2500

2,2',3,4,4',5',6-HpBDE 183 1.0 5.0 50 500 2500

DeBDE 209 10 50 500 5000 25000

Labeled

13C12-2,4,4'-TrBDE 28L 100 100 100 100 100

13C12-2,2',4,4'-TeBDE 47L 100 100 100 100 100

13C12-2,2',4,4',5-PeBDE 99L 100 100 100 100 100

13C12-2,2',4,4',6-PeBDE 100L 100 100 100 100 100

13C12-2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE 153L 100 100 100 100 100

13C12-2,2',4,4',5',6-HxBDE 154L 100 100 100 100 100

13C12-2,2',3,4,4',5',6-HpBDE 183L 100 100 100 100 100

13C12-DeBDE 209L 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000

Labeled clean-up

13C12-2,2',3,4,4',6-HxBDE 139L 100 100 100 100 100

Labeled injection internal

13C12-2,2',5,5'-TeCB PCB-52L 100 100 100 100 100

13C12-2,2',3,4,4',5'-HxCB PCB-138L 100 100 100 100 100

1. Other congeners may be included in calibration solutions if desired.

2. Suffix “L” indicates labeled compound
EPA Method 1614A 68 May 2010

Table 6. QC Acceptance Criteria for Bromodiphenyl Ethers in VER, IPR, OPR, and Samples1

Congener2

Congener 

number3

Test conc.

(ng/mL)4 VER5(%)

IPR

OPR (%)

Labeled compound 

RSD (%) X (%) recovery in samples (%)

Native congeners

2,4,4'-TrBDE 28 50 70-130 40 60-140 50-150

2,2'4,4'TeBDE 47 50 70-130 40 60-140 50-150

2,2',4,4',5-PeBDE 99 50 70-130 40 60-140 50-150

2,2',4,4',6-PeBDE 100 50 70-130 40 60-140 50-150

2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE 153 50 70-130 40 60-140 50-150

2,2',4,4',5',6-HxBDE 154 50 70-130 40 60-140 50-150

2,2',3,4,4',5',6-HpBDE 183 50 70-130 40 60-140 50-150

DeBDE 209 500 50-200 40 50-200 40-200

Labeled congeners

13C12-2,4,4'-TrBDE 28L 100 50-150 50 35-135 30-140 25-150

13C12-2,2',4,4'-TeBDE 47L 100 50-150 50 35-135 30-140 25-150

13C12-2,2'4,4',5-PeBDE 99L 100 50-150 50 35-135 30-140 25-150

13C12-2,2',4,4',6-PeBDE 100L 100 50-150 50 35-135 30-140 25-150

13C12-2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE 153L 100 50-150 50 35-135 30-140 25-150

13C12-2,2',4,4',5',6-HxBDE 154L 100 50-150 50 35-135 30-140 25-150

13C12-2,2',3,4,4',5',6-HpBDE 183L 100 50-150 50 35-135 30-140 25-150

13C12-DeBDE 209L 1000 25-200 50 25-200 20-200 20-200

Cleanup standard

13C12-2,2',3,4,4',6-HxBDE 139L 100 60-130 45 45-120 40-125 30-135

1. QC acceptance criteria for IPR, OPR, and samples based on a 20-μL extract final volume

2. Other congeners may be included in test solutions if desired.

3. Suffix “L” indicates labeled compound.

4. See Table 5.

5. See Section 15.3.
EPA Method 1614A 69 May 2010

Table 7. Scan Descriptors, Levels of Bromination and Chlorination, m/z’s, and BDEs and PCBs 

Monitored by HRGC/HRMS

Function and bromine 

or chlorine level m/z

1,2 m/z type m/z formula Substance

Fn-1; Br-1

247.9837 M

12C12 H916O 79Br MoBDE

249.9816 M+2 12C12 H9

16O 81Br MoBDE

260.0239 M

13C12 H916O 79Br 13C12 MoBDE

262.0219 M+2 13C12 H9

16O 81Br 13C12 MoBDE

280.9824 lock 12C6 F11 PFK

Fn-2; Br-2; Cl-4

301.9626 M

13C12 H635Cl413C12 TeCB

303.9597 M+2 13C12 H6

35Cl337Cl 13C12 TeCB

325.8942 M

12C12 H816O 79Br2 DiBDE

327.8921 M+2 12C12 H8

16O 79Br 81Br DiBDE

330.9792 lock 12C7 F13 PFK

337.9344 M

13C12 H816O 79Br213C12 DiBDE

339.9324 M+2 13C12 H8

16O 79Br 81Br 13C12 DiBDE

Fn-3 Br-3; Br-4; Cl-6

371.8817 M+2 13C12 H5

35Cl537Cl 13C12 HxCB

373.8788 M+4 13C12 H6

35Cl437Cl213C12 HxCB

405.8027 M+2 12C12 H7

16O 79Br281Br TrBDE

407.8002 M+4 12C12 H7

16O 79Br 81Br2 TrBDE

417.8429 M+2 13C12 H7

16O 79Br281Br 13C12 TrBDE

419.8409 M+4 13C12 H7

16O 79Br 81Br213C12 TrBDE

442.9728 lock 12C10 F17 PFK

483.7132 M+2 12C12 H6

16O 79Br381Br TeBDE

485.7111 M+4 12C12 H6

16O 79Br281Br2 TeBDE

497.7514 M+4 13C12 H6

16O 79Br281Br213C12 TeBDE

499.7493 M+6 13C12 H6

16O 79Br 81Br313C12 TeBDE

Fn-4; Br-5; Br-6

554.9665 lock 12C13 F21 PFK

563.6216 M+4 12C12 H5

16O 79Br381Br2 PeBDE

565.6196 M+6 12C12 H5

16O 79Br281Br3 PeBDE

575.6619 M+4 13C12 H5

16O 79Br381Br213C12 PeBDE

577.6598 M+6 13C12 H5

16O 79Br281Br313C12 PeBDE

641.5322 M+4 12C12 H4

16O 79Br481Br2 HxBDE

643.5302 M+6 12C12 H4

16O 79Br381Br3 HxBDE

655.5704 M+6 13C12 H4

16O 79Br381Br313C12 HxBDE

657.5683 M+8 13C12 H4

16O 79Br281Br413C12 HxBDE

Fn-5; Br-7; Br-8

716.9569 lock 12C17 F27 PFK

721.4406 M+6 12C12 H3

16O 79Br481Br3 HpBDE

723.4386 M+8 12C12 H3

16O 79Br381Br4 HpBDE

733.4809 M+6 13C12 H3

16O 79Br481Br313C12 HpBDE

735.4788 M+8 13C12 H3

16O 79Br381Br413C12 HpBDE

799.3511 M+6 12C12 H2

16O 79Br581Br3 OcBDE

801.3491 M+8 12C12 H2

16O 79Br481Br4 OcBDE

811.3914 M+6 13C12 H2

16O 79Br581Br313C12 OcBDE

813.3893 M+8 13C12 H2

16O 79Br481Br413C12 OcBDE
EPA Method 1614A 70 May 2010

Table 7. Scan Descriptors, Levels of Bromination and Chlorination, m/z’s, and BDEs and PCBs 

Monitored by HRGC/HRMS

Function and bromine 

or chlorine level m/z

1,2 m/z type m/z formula Substance

Fn-6; Br-9; Br-10

879.2596 M+8 12C12 H 16O 79Br5

81Br4 NoBDE

881.2575 M+10 12C12 H 16O 79Br4

81Br5 NoBDE

891.2998 M+8 13C12 H 16O 79Br5

81Br413C12 NoBDE

892.9441 lock 12C19 F35 PFK

893.2978 M+10 13C12 H 16O 79Br4

81Br513C12 NoBDE

957.1701 M+8 12C12

16O 79Br681Br4 DeBDE

959.1680 M+10 12C12

16O 79Br581Br5 DeBDE

971.2083 M+10 13C12

16O 79Br581Br513C12 DeBDE

973.2063 M+12 13C12

16O 79Br481Br613C12 DeBDE

1. Isotopic masses used for accurate mass calculation

1H 1.0078

12C 12.0000

13C 13.0034

16O 15.9949

35Cl 34.9689

37Cl 36.9659

79Br 78.9813

81Br 80.9163

19F 18.9984

2. The masses we have listed here are those which provided the most unambiguous identification in our 

work. 
EPA Method 1614A 71 May 2010

Table 8. Theoretical Ion Abundance Ratios and QC Limits

Bromine Atoms m/z’s forming Ratio Theoretical Ratio Lower QC Limit Upper QC Limit

1 M/M+2 1.03 0.88 1.18

2 M/(M+2) 0.51 0.43 0.59

3 (M+2)/(M+4) 1.03 0.88 1.18

4 (M+2)/(M+4) 0.70 0.60 0.81

(M+4)/(M+6) 1.54 1.31 1.77

5 (M+4)/(M+6) 1.03 0.88 1.18

6 (M+4)/(M+6) 0.77 0.65 0.89

(M+6)/(M+8) 1.37 1.16 1.58

7 (M+6)/(M+8) 1.03 0.88 1.18

8 (M+6)/(M+8) 0.82 0.70 0.94

9 (M+8)/(M+10) 1.03 0.88 1.18

10 (M+8)/(M+10) 0.86 0.73 0.99

10 (M+10)/(M+12) 1.23 1.05 1.41

Chlorine atoms

4 M/(M+2) 0.78 0.66 0.90

6 (M+2)/(M+4) 1.25 1.06 1.44
EPA Method 1614A 72 May 2010

Table 9. Suggested Sample Quantities to be Extracted for Various Matrices1

Sample matrix2 Example Percent solids Phase Quantity extracted

Single-phase

Aqueous

Drinking water

<1 – 

3 Groundwater 1000 mL

Treated wastewater

Solid

Dry soil

>20 Solid 10 g

Compost

Ash

Waste oil

Organic polymer

Tissue Fish

Human adipose – Organic 10 g

Multi-phase

Liquid/Solid

Aqueous/Solid

Wet soil

1-30 Solid 10 g

Untreated effluent

Digested municipal 

sludge

Filter cake

Paper pulp

Organic/solid

Industrial sludge

1-100 Both 10 g

Oily waste

Liquid/Liquid

Aqueous/organic

In-process effluent

Untreated effluent <1 Organic 10 g

Drum waste

Aqueous/organic/solid

Untreated effluent

>1 Organic & 

solid 10 g

Drum waste

1. The quantity of sample to be extracted is adjusted to provide 10 g of solids (dry weight). One liter of aqueous 

samples containing one percent solids will contain 10 grams of solids. For aqueous samples containing greater 

than one percent solids, a lesser volume is used so that 10 grams of solids (dry weight) will be extracted.

2. The sample matrix may be amorphous for some samples. In general, when the BDEs are in contact with a 

multi-phase system in which one of the phases is water, they will be preferentially dispersed in or adsorbed on 

the alternate phase because of their low solubility in water.

3. Aqueous samples are filtered after spiking with the labeled compounds. The filtrate and the materials trapped 

on the filter are extracted separately, and the extracts are combined for cleanup and analysis.
EPA Method 1614A 73 May 2010

Table 10. MDLs Obtained Using the Short (15-Meter) Column and 

Temperature-Programmable Injector

Analyte Congener No. MDL (pg/L)

2,4-DiBDE 7 27

2,4'-DiBDE/3,3’-DiBDE 8/11 79

2,6-DiBDE 10 9

3,4-DiBDE/3,4’-DiBDE 12/13 60

4,4'-DiBDE 15 29

2,2',4-TriBDE/2,3’,4-TriBDE 17/25 29

2,4,4'-TriBDE/2’,3,4-TrBDE 28/33 9

2,4,6-TriBDE 30 10

2,4',6-TriBDE 32 5

3,3',4-TriBDE 35 13

3,4,4'-TriBDE 37 16

2,2',4,4'-TeBDE 47 48

2,2',4,5'-TeBDE 49 8

2,2',4,6'-TeBDE 51 10

2,3',4,4'-TeBDE 66 11

2,3',4',6-TeBDE 71 10

2,4,4',6-TeBDE 75 12

3,3',4,4'-TeBDE 77 9

3,3',4,5'-TeBDE 79 5

2,2',3,4,4'-PeBDE 85 9

2,2',4,4',5-PeBDE 99 33

2,2',4,4',6-PeBDE 100 7

2,3,3',4,4'-PeBDE 105 8

2,3,4,5,6-PeBDE 116 13

2,3',4,4',6-PeBDE/2,3’,4,5,5’-

PdBDE 119/120 12

3,3',4,4',5-PeBDE 126 9

2,2',3,3',4,4'-HxBDE 128 15

2,2',3,4,4',5'-

HxBDE/2,3,4,4’,5,6-HxBDE 138/166 34

2,2',3,4,4',6'-HxBDE 140 22

2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE 153 11

2,2',4,4',5,6'-HxBDE 154 5

2,2',4,4',6,6'-HxBDE 155 6

2,2',3,4,4',5,6-HpBDE 181 13

2,2',3,4,4',5',6-HpBDE 183 18

2,3,3',4,4',5,6-HpBDE 190 20

2,2',3,4,4',5,5',6-OcBDE 203 95

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6-NoBDE 206 296

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6,6'-NoBDE 207 151

2,2',3,3',4,5,5',6,6'-NoBDE 208 95

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-DeBDE 209 1499
EPA Method 1614A 74 May 2010

Table 11. Retention Times Using the Short (15-m Column) and Temperature 

Programmable Injector

Analyte

IUPACCongener 

No. RT (min:sec)*

2,4-DiBDE 7 6:36

2,4'-DiBDE/3,3’-DiBDE 8/11 6:45

2,6-DiBDE 10 6:18

3,4-DiBDE/3,4’-DiBDE 12/13 6:51

4,4'-DiBDE 15 6:58

2,2',4-TriBDE/2,3’,4-TriBDE 17/25 8:18

2,4,4'-TriBDE/2’,3,4-TrBDE 28/33 8:33

2,4,6-TriBDE 30 7:39

2,4',6-TriBDE 32 8:08

3,3',4-TriBDE 35 8:43

3,4,4'-TriBDE 37 8:55

2,2',4,4'-TeBDE 47 10:38

2,2',4,5'-TeBDE 49 10:15

2,2',4,6'-TeBDE 51 10:09

2,3',4,4'-TeBDE 66 10:57

2,3',4',6-TeBDE 71 10:20

2,4,4',6-TeBDE 75 10:04

3,3',4,4'-TeBDE 77 11:31

3,3',4,5'-TeBDE 79 10:49

2,2',3,4,4'-PeBDE 85 14:12

2,2',4,4',5-PeBDE 99 13:08

2,2',4,4',6-PeBDE 100 12:32

2,3,3',4,4'-PeBDE 105 14:35

2,3,4,5,6-PeBDE 116 13:19

2,3',4,4',6-PeBDE/2,3’,4,5,5’-

PdBDE 119/120 12:44

3,3',4,4',5-PeBDE 126 14:24

2,2',3,3',4,4'-HxBDE 128 18:08

2,2',3,4,4',5'-HxBDE/2,3,4,4’,5,6-

HxBDE 138/166 16:55

2,2',3,4,4',6'-HxBDE 140 16:17

2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE 153 15:44

2,2',4,4',5,6'-HxBDE 154 14:51

2,2',4,4',6,6'-HxBDE 155 14:24

2,2',3,4,4',5,6-HpBDE 181 19:49

2,2',3,4,4',5',6-HpBDE 183 18:22

2,3,3',4,4',5,6-HpBDE 190 20:01

2,2',3,4,4',5,5',6-OcBDE 203 22:07

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6-NoBDE 206 26:19

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6,6'-NoBDE 207 25:33
EPA Method 1614A 75 May 2010

Table 11. Retention Times Using the Short (15-m Column) and Temperature 

Programmable Injector

Analyte

IUPACCongener 

No. RT (min:sec)*

2,2',3,3',4,5,5',6,6'-NoBDE 208 25:12

2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-DeBDE 209 31:19

Labels

13C12-4,4'-DiBDE 15L 6:58

13C12-2,4,4'-TriBDE 28L 8:32

13C12-2,2',4,4'-TeBDE 47L 10:38

13C12-3,3',4,4'-TeBDE 77L 11:30

13C12-2,2',4,4',5-PeBDE 99L 13:07

13C12-2,2',4,4',6-PeBDE 100L 12:32

13C12-3,3',4,4',5-PeBDE 126L 14:24

13C12-2,2',3,4,4',6-HxBDE 139L 16:03

13C12-2,2',4,4',5,5'-HxBDE 153L 15:43

13C12-2,2',4,4',5,6'-HxBDE 154L 14:50

13C12-2,2',3,4,4',5',6-HpBDE 183L 18:22

* See Table 2 for retention time (RT) and quantitation references, and for RT windows. 

RRT limits may be constructed from the RTs in this table and the RT windows in Table 2 

if desired.
EPA Method 1614A 76 May 2010

Table 12. Precision and Recovery Data Obtained in Reagent Water Using the 

Short (15-m) Column and Temperature-Programmable Injector*

Analyte IPR 1

% Rec

IPR 2

% Rec

IPR 3

% Rec

IPR 4

% Rec

Avg % 

Rec

SD

BDE-28/BDE-33 97 97 96 96 97 0.6

BDE-47 107 108 113 114 110 3.6

BDE-100 94 97 94 95 95 1.4

BDE-99 98 96 98 100 98 1.6

BDE-154 96 94 93 93 94 1.5

BDE-153 94 94 94 94 94 0.4

BDE-183 95 95 90 96 94 2.6

BDE-209 121 122 115 126 121 4.7

13C-BDE-28 108 100 105 111 106 4.6

13C-BDE-47 89 88 90 96 91 3.8

13C-BDE-100 98 92 104 112 102 8.7

13C-BDE-99 100 100 110 113 106 6.7

13C-BDE-154 100 103 111 117 108 7.6

13C-BDE-153 97 96 108 110 103 7.3

13C-BDE-183 96 96 107 109 102 7.1

13C-BDE-209 51 50 57 54 53 3

13C-BDE-139 109 104 118 124 114 8.8

*Recoveries and standard deviation expressed as percent
EPA Method 1614A 77 May 2010

Transfer through

Na2SO4per § 12.5.6

Determine % solids

§ 11.2

Determine particle size

§ 11.3

Prep per § 11.5

Solids > 1%?

(from § 11.2)

Yes No

Prep per § 11.4

Particle

size > 1 mm?

(from §11.3)

Grind per § 11.7

SDS extraction

per §12.3

No

Yes

Spike Labeled Toxics/LOC

window-definers per

§ 11.4.2.2

Concentrate per

§12.6 - § 12.7

Figure 1 Flow Chart for Analysis of Aqueous and Solid Samples

SCC-99-020

Extract per § 12.2.1,

§ 12.2.2, or § 12.2.3

Spike Labeled Toxics/LOC

window-definers per

§ 11.5.2.2

Spike Cleanup standard per

§ 12.5.1

Back extract per

§ 12.5

Clean up per

§13.2 - § 13.5, or § 13.7

Concentrate per

§12.6 - § 12.7

Spike injection internal

standard per § 14.2

Analyze per

§ 14 - § 18
EPA Method 1614A 78 May 2010

Spike Cleanup standard per

§ 12.5.1

Determine % solids

per § 11.2

No

Yes

Grind per § 11.7

Figure 2 Flow Chart for Analysis of Multi-Phase Samples

SCC-9 9-01 8

Determine particle size

per § 11.3

Spike Labeled Toxics/LOC

window-definers per §

11.6.2

Solids

Discard

Particle

s ize <1 mm?

(from § 11.3)

SDS extract per

§ 12.3

Bac k extract

per § 12.5

Aqueous Non-aqueous (organic)

Transfer through

Na2SO4 ,per 12.5.6

Concentrate per

§ 12.6 - § 12.7

Clean up per

§ 13.2 - §13.5, § 13.7

Concentrate per

§ 12.6 - § 12.7

Reserve 10g or

amount up to

1 L, whicheveris

less

Pressure filter aliquot per

§ 11.6.2

Spike injec tion internal

standard per § 14.2

Analyze per

§ 14 - § 18
EPA Method 1614A 79 May 2010

SC C-99 -019

Analyze per § 14 - § 18

Clean up per

§ 13.2 - §13.5, § 13.7

Spike injection internal

standard per § 14.2

Homogenize tissue

per § 11.8.1

Determine % lipids per

§ 12.4.9

Concentrate to dryness

per § 12.4.7 - § 12.4.8

Remove 10 g

per § 11.8.1.4

Concentrate per

§ 12.6 - § 12.7

Remove lipids per

§ 13.6

Redissolve in n-C6and spike

cleanup standard

per § 12.4.9.1

Spike Labeled Toxics/LOC

window-definers per § 11.8.3

Soxhlet extract

per § 12.4

Figure 3 Flow Chart for Analysis of Tissue Samples

Concentrate per

§ 12.6 - § 12.7
EPA Method 1614A 80 May 2010

Figure 4. Solid-phase Extraction Apparatus
EPA Method 1614A 81 May 2010

Figure 5. Soxhlet/Dean-Stark Extractor
EPA Method 1614A 82 May 2010

Figure 6. DB-5HT column resolution test. Separation of BDE-49 and BDE-71 with a valley 

less than 40% (i.e., 100 x/y < 40%)
EPA Method 1614A 83 May 2010

Figure 7. BDE congeners at each level of bromination on the DB-5HT column
EPA Method 1614A 84 May 2010

24.0 Glossary of Definitions and Purposes

These definitions and purposes are specific to this method but have been conformed to common usage to 

the extent possible.

24.1 Units of weight and measure and their abbreviations

24.1.1 Symbols

°C degrees Celsius

L microliter

m micrometer

< less than

> greater than

% percent

24.1.2 Alphabetical abbreviations

cm centimeter

g gram

h hour

ID inside diameter

in. inch

L liter

M molecular ion

m meter

mg milligram

min minute

mL milliliter

mm millimeter

m/z mass-to-charge ratio

N normal; gram molecular weight of solute divided by hydrogen equivalent of 

solute, per liter of solution

OD outside diameter

pg picogram

ppb part-per-billion

ppm part-per-million

ppq part-per-quadrillion

ppt part-per-trillion

psig pounds-per-square inch gauge

v/v volume per unit volume

w/v weight per unit volume

24.2 Definitions and acronyms (in alphabetical order)

Analyte - A BDE tested for by this method. The analytes are listed in Table 1.

BDE - See brominated diphenyl ether

Brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) - Any of the 209 congeners tested for by this method and listed in 

Table 1.

Calibration standard (CAL) - A solution prepared from a secondary standard and/or stock solutions and 

used to calibrate the response of the HRGC/HRMS instrument.
EPA Method 1614A 85 May 2010

Calibration verification standard (VER) - The mid-point calibration standard (CS-3) that is used to verify 

calibration. See Table 5.

CS-0.2, CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-5 - See Calibration standards and Table 5

DeBDE - Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 209)

DiBDE - Dibromodiphenyl ether

Field blank - An aliquot of reagent water or other reference matrix that is placed in a sample container in 

the laboratory or the field, and treated as a sample in all respects, including exposure to sampling site 

conditions, storage, preservation, and all analytical procedures. The purpose of the field blank is to 

determine if the field or sample transporting procedures and environments have contaminated the sample.

GC - Gas chromatograph or gas chromatography

GPC - Gel permeation chromatograph or gel permeation chromatography

HpBDE - Heptabromodiphenyl ether

HRGC - High resolution GC

HRMS - High resolution MS

HxBDE - Hexabromodiphenyl ether

Labeled injection internal standard - The 13C12-labeled PCB congeners spiked into the concentrated 

extract immediately prior to injection of an aliquot of the extract into the HRGC/HRMS. The labeled 

injection internal standards in this method are PCBs with congener numbers 52L and 138L.

Internal standard - A labeled compound used as a reference for quantitation of other labeled compounds 

and for quantitation of native BDE congeners other than the congener for which it is a labeled analog. 

See Internal standard quantitation.

Internal standard quantitation - A means of determining the concentration of (1) a naturally occurring 

(native) compound by reference to a compound other than its labeled analog and (2) a labeled compound 

by reference to another labeled compound.

IPR - Initial precision and recovery: Four aliquots of a reference matrix spiked with the analytes of 

interest and labeled compounds and analyzed to establish the ability of the laboratory to generate 

acceptable precision and recovery. An IPR is performed prior to the first time this method is used and 

any time the method or instrumentation is modified.

Isotope dilution quantitation - A means of determining a naturally occurring (native) compound by 

reference to the same compound in which one or more atoms has been isotopically enriched. In this 

method, all 12 carbon atoms in the BDE are enriched with carbon-13 to produce 13C12-labeled analogs 

of the brominated diphenyl ethers. The 13C12-labeled BDEs are spiked into each sample and allow 

identification and correction of the concentration of the native compounds in the analytical process.

K-D - Kuderna-Danish concentrator; a device used to concentrate the analytes in a solvent

Laboratory blank - See Method blank
EPA Method 1614A 86 May 2010

Laboratory control sample (LCS) - See ongoing precision and recovery standard (OPR)

Laboratory reagent blank - See Method blank

May - This action, activity, or procedural step is neither required nor prohibited.

May not - This action, activity, or procedural step is prohibited.

MDL - See Method Detection Limit

Method blank - An aliquot of reagent water or other reference matrix that is treated exactly as a sample 

including exposure to all glassware, equipment, solvents, reagents, internal standards, and surrogates that 

are used with samples. The method blank is used to determine if analytes or interferences are present in 

the laboratory environment, the reagents, or the apparatus.

Method Detection Limit - A detection limit determined by the procedure at 40 CFR 136, appendix B.

Minimum level of quantitation (ML) - The level at which the entire analytical system must give a 

recognizable signal and acceptable calibration point for the analyte. It is equivalent to the concentration 

of the lowest calibration standard, assuming that all method-specified sample weights, volumes, and 

cleanup procedures have been employed (see 68 FR 11790; May 12, 2003).

MoBDE - Monobromodiphenyl ether

MS - Mass spectrometer or mass spectrometry

Must - This action, activity, or procedural step is required.

NoBDE - Nonabromodiphenyl ether

OcBDE - Octabromodiphenyl ether

OPR - Ongoing precision and recovery standard (OPR; also laboratory control sample, LCS); an aliquot 

of reagent water or other reference matrix spiked with known quantities of the analytes. The OPR is 

analyzed exactly like a sample. Its purpose is to assure that the results produced by the laboratory remain 

within the limits specified in this method for precision and recovery.

Perfluorokerosene (PFK) - A mixture of compounds used to calibrate the exact m/z scale in the HRMS.

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) - See Brominated diphenyl ether

Preparation blank - See Method blank

Quality control check sample (QCS) - A sample containing all or a subset of the analytes at known 

concentrations. The QCS is obtained from a source external to the laboratory or is prepared from a source 

of standards different from the source of calibration standards. It is used to check laboratory performance 

with test materials prepared external to the normal preparation process.

PeBDE - Pentabromodiphenyl ether

Reagent water - Water demonstrated to be free from the analytes of interest and potentially interfering 

substances at the method detection limit for the analyte.
EPA Method 1614A 87 May 2010

Relative retention time (RRT) - The retention time of the component of interest divided by the retention 

time of its reference. The RRT references for the BDEs and labeled compounds are listed in Table 2.

Relative standard deviation (RSD) - The standard deviation times 100 divided by the mean. Also termed 

“coefficient of variation.”

Retention time (RT) - The time between the time that an un-retained component elutes and a component 

of interest elutes from a chromatographic column. Usually the time from the air peak or solvent front to 

the time at which the component of interest elutes, but also sometimes the time from the time of injection 

until the component of interest elutes. RTs for the BDEs on the DB-5ht column are listed in Table 2.

RF - Response factor, see Section 10.5

RR - Relative response, see Section 10.4

RRT - See relative retention time

RSD - See relative standard deviation

RT - See retention time

SDS - Soxhlet/Dean-Stark extractor; an extraction device applied to the extraction of solid and semi-solid 

materials (Reference 10 and Figure 5)

Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) - The height of the signal as measured from the mean (average) of the noise to 

the peak maximum divided by the width of the noise

Should - This action, activity, or procedural step is suggested but not required.

SICP - Selected ion current profile; the line described by the signal at an exact m/z

SPE - Solid-phase extraction; an extraction technique in which an analyte is extracted from an aqueous 

sample by passage over or through a material capable of reversibly adsorbing the analyte. Also termed 

liquid-solid extraction.

Specificity - The capability of an analytical system to identify and quantify an analyte when other 

analytes and interferences are present in the sample

Stock solution - A solution containing an analyte that is prepared using a reference material traceable to 

EPA, the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), or a source that will attest to the purity 

and authenticity of the reference material

TeBDE - Tetrabromodiphenyl ether

TrBDE - Tribromodiphenyl ether

Unique GC resolution or uniquely resolved - Two adjacent chromatographic peaks in which the height of 

the valley is less than 40 percent of the height of the shorter peak (See Section 6.9.1.1.2 and Figure 6 for 

unique resolution specific to the DB-5ht column)

VER - See Calibration verification standard