U.S. EPA Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program
Chlor-N-Soil PCB Test Kit L2000 PCB/Chloride Analyzer
Dexsil Corporation

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Abstract

Dexsil produces 2 PCB test kits: the PCB Screening Kit and the L2000 PCB/Chloride Analyzer. Both kits extract PCBs from soil and dissociate the PCBs with a sodium reagent, freeing chloride ions. In the screening kit, the chloride ions react with mercuric ions to form a mercuric chloride compound. The extract is treated with diphenylcarbazone, which reacts with free mercuric ions to form a purple color. The less purple color, the greater the concentration of PCBs. In the L2000, the extract is analyzed with a calibrated chloride-specific electrode. The instrument translates the output into parts per million (ppm) PCB concentration over a range of 2 to 2000 ppm. These kits were demonstrated in August 1992 at a PCB-contaminated facility in EPA Region 7; 144 samples were analysed. Samples were split and half was sent to an offsite lab for analysis by EPA Method 8080. During the demonstration, the screening kit produced 87 correct assays, 58 false positives, and 1 false negative. The L2000 was shown to be best suited for sites where the Aroclor of concern is known and interferents are absent.

Posted July 12, 1999

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