Chlorinated Solvents and Disinfection By-Product Analysis Using Agilent J&W HP-1ms Ultra Inert and DB-1301 Capillary GC Columns

Significance of the Topic

Chlorination of water is a widely used and effective method to ensure safe drinking water but generates a range of disinfection by-products (DBPs) such as trihalomethanes, haloacetonitriles, and chloropropanones. Many DBPs are associated with adverse health effects including cancer and reproductive issues, driving the need for sensitive, accurate, and reproducible analytical procedures.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluates the performance of an Agilent J&W HP-1ms Ultra Inert capillary GC column as the primary separation medium in a dual-column GC/ECD method (US EPA 551.1) for trace-level analysis of chlorinated solvents, trihalomethanes, and related DBPs in water. A single injection is split simultaneously onto a primary and a confirmation column using Agilent Capillary Flow Technology.

Methodology

• Calibration standards (0.002–0.1 μg/mL) prepared in high-purity MTBE; six-level calibration curve.
• Sample injection: 0.5 μL splitless injection with purge (20 mL/min at 0.25 min).
• Oven program: 33 °C (14 min) to 60 °C at 5 °C/min, hold 5 min, then to 275 °C at 15 °C/min (hold 20 min).
• Carrier gas: Helium at constant flow (25 cm/s).

Instrumentation Used

• Agilent 7890A gas chromatograph with dual G2397A micro-ECD detectors.
• Agilent 7683B automatic liquid sampler.
• Agilent J&W HP-1ms Ultra Inert column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 1.0 μm).
• Agilent J&W DB-1301 column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 1.0 μm).
• Capillary Flow Technology two-way splitter without makeup gas (p/n G3181B) with SilTite ferrules.
• 1 m deactivated fused silica retention gap.

Key Results and Discussion

The HP-1ms Ultra Inert column exhibited excellent inertness, yielding symmetrical peak shapes even for reactive analytes such as chloral hydrate. Resolution between bromodichloromethane and trichloroethylene exceeded 0.5 across the calibration range (0.734–0.825). Correlation coefficients for all analytes on both primary and confirmation columns were ≥ 0.998, demonstrating exceptional linearity down to 0.5 pg on column. The inert sample path minimized adsorption, ensuring reliable quantitation at trace levels.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced recovery of volatile and polar DBPs due to reduced active-site interactions.
• Dual-column confirmation improves regulatory compliance and data confidence.
• Independent column maintenance simplifies system downtime and troubleshooting.
• Suitability for routine environmental and drinking water monitoring at trace detection limits.

Future Trends and Applications

Further improvements in column inertness are expected to enable ultra-trace analysis of emerging and highly reactive water contaminants. Integration with mass spectrometric detection and high-throughput sample handling will expand capabilities in environmental, pharmaceutical, and food safety testing.

Conclusion

The Agilent J&W HP-1ms Ultra Inert column, combined with capillary flow splitting and dual ECD detection, delivers robust, sensitive, and reproducible analysis for EPA 551.1 target compounds. Its high inertness and chromatographic performance make it an ideal choice for trace-level monitoring of chlorinated solvents and disinfection by-products.

References

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2. US EPA. Method 551.1 Revision 1: Determination of Chlorination Disinfection By-Products and Chlorinated Solvents in Drinking Water. 1995.
3. Fawell J, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ. Br Med Bull. 2003;68:199–208.
4. Hwang B-F, Jaakkola JJK, Guo HR. Environ Health. 2008;7:25.
5. Hastings M, Vickers AK, George C. 54th Pittsburgh Conference. 2003.