Analysis of Epichlorohydrin in Drinking Water Using the Lumin P & T Concentrator

Significance of the Topic

Epichlorohydrin (ECH) is widely used in the manufacture of polymers, epoxy coatings, and pharmaceuticals, and is present in water distribution systems via ECH-based pipes. Its high reactivity and potential to hydrolyze into carcinogenic byproducts, combined with established toxicity and mutagenicity, have prompted regulatory limits in drinking water. Ensuring accurate, low‐level detection of ECH is crucial for public health and compliance with directives such as the European Normative 98/83/EC, which sets a maximum of 0.1 µg/L.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluates an automated purge and trap (P&T) method using the Teledyne Tekmar Lumin PTC and AQUATek100 autosampler, coupled to an Agilent 7890B/5977A GC/MS, to quantify ECH in drinking water at and below regulatory limits. Key goals include establishing calibration performance, method detection limits (MDL), precision, and robustness for routine analysis.

Methodology

Sample volumes of 5 mL drinking water were spiked with ECH standards and high‐salt matrix (10 % NaCl) to enhance volatility. Samples were purged with helium onto a Tenax® Stamp 1A trap, thermally desorbed, and introduced to the GC/MS. Calibration standards ranged from 0.1 ppb to 50 ppb. Data acquisition used Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) of m/z 57, 49, and 62, processed via Agilent Environmental ChemStation software.

Instrumentation Employed

• Teledyne Tekmar Lumin Purge and Trap Concentrator
• Teledyne Tekmar AQUATek100 autosampler
• Agilent 7890B gas chromatograph with Restek® VMS column (20 m × 0.18 mm × 1.0 µm)
• Agilent 5977A mass selective detector in SIM mode
• Tenax® Stamp 1A sorbent trap

Main Results and Discussion

The calibration curve for ECH exhibited excellent linearity over 0.1–50 ppb (r² = 0.9998). Seven replicate analyses at the 0.1 ppb level yielded an average concentration of 0.097 ppb with 8.25 % RSD, and an MDL of 0.024 ppb. A five‐day robustness assessment using twenty 1.0 ppb check standards demonstrated 98 % recovery of the original calibration response, confirming method stability and reproducibility.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The automated P&T GC/MS approach enables reliable detection of ECH near regulatory thresholds, streamlining routine water quality monitoring in municipal and industrial laboratories. High sensitivity, precision, and automation reduce analyst intervention and enhance throughput, supporting QA/QC programs and regulatory compliance.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances may include integration with real‐time monitoring platforms, expansion to multi‐analyte panels for other halogenated epoxides and volatile organics, and miniaturized P&T systems for field deployment. Improvements in trap materials and GC/MS detectors will further lower detection limits and broaden application scope.

Conclusion

This application demonstrates that the Lumin PTC with AQUATek100 autosampler, coupled to an Agilent 7890B/5977A GC/MS in SIM mode, achieves detection of ECH at 0.1 ppb with high linearity, precision, and regulatory compliance. The method offers a robust solution for automated trace analysis of toxic volatile organics in drinking water.

References

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• IARC. Re-Evaluation of Some Organic Chemicals, Hydrazine and Hydrogen Peroxide. IARC Monographs Vol. 71, 1999, p. 603.
• Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption. Official Journal of the European Communities, 1998.