Fast Gas Chromatographic Assessment of Polychlorobiphenyl Levels in Wall Plaster Coats

Abstract Sampling (“scrape test”) and analytical procedures were defined to determine PCBs in sorbing solid surfaces such as wall plaster. After sampling, samples were extracted by means of a mechanical device. Following steps included clean-up on a multilayer chromatographic column and assessment with macrobore capillary gas chromatography equipped with an electron capture detector. Mean recovery yields were ≧75% for PCB levels from 2.00 to 7000μg/m2 (0.550–1940 μg/kg). Intralaboratory tests performed by two independent operators yielded: (a) maximum deviation from expected value, 25%; (b) maximum deviation between operators, 17%; and (c) maximum variation coefficient, 20%. Background PCB levels in wall surface layer samples were ≧2.9μg/m2 (≧0.81 μg/kg). The analytical procedure tested with agricultural topsoil samples provided mean recovery yields >65% for PCB levels ≧500 μg/ kg (≧ 50 mg/m2).

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