U.S. EPA Method 524.3 For Analysis Of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) In Finished Drinking Water: Optimized Instrument Parameters And Method Validation

The U.S. EPA Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water released Method 524.3, "Measurement of Purgeable Organic Compounds in Water by Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, Revision 1.0," in the Federal Register, on August 3, 2009. The new method is used for determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in finished drinking water, and includes several significant changes and improvements over its predecessor, U.S. EPA Method 524.2.

This application note presents optimized instrument operating parameters, including a 6-minute purge time, and a complete set of method validation data. Quality control statistics shown here include calibration acceptance data, Minimum Reporting Levels (MRLs), Detection Limits (DLs) and Lowest Concentration Minimum Reporting Levels (LCMRLs); two precision and accuracy studies from the Initial Demonstration of Capability (IDC); and results from Laboratory Reagent Blanks (LRBs)and Continuing Calibration Check (CCC) samples.