Analysis of US EPA Method 8270D Semivolatiles Using a 20 m x 0.18 mm I.D., 0.36 μm SLB-5ms

Importance of the Topic

The determination of semivolatile organic compounds in environmental matrices is essential for water safety, waste management, and regulatory compliance. Reliable, rapid analysis following US EPA Method 8270D supports risk assessment and monitoring of pollutants in ground water and solid waste.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluates the performance of a shorter, narrower capillary GC column to:

• Reduce analysis time while maintaining critical resolution of 72 semivolatile target analytes and key surrogates
• Demonstrate compliance with US EPA Method 8270D criteria
• Enhance laboratory throughput and efficiency

Methodology and Instrumentation

The analysis was performed on an Agilent 6890 gas chromatograph coupled to a 5973 mass selective detector. A 20 m × 0.18 mm I.D., 0.36 µm SLB-5ms column was used with the following conditions:

• Oven program: 40 °C (1 min) to 200 °C at 12 °C/min, then to 340 °C at 20 °C/min (2 min hold)
• Injection: 0.50 µL pulsed at 25 psi, splitless for 0.75 min, injector at 250 °C
• Carrier gas: Helium, 0.5 mL/min (5 min), ramp to 1.0 mL/min, constant thereafter
• MSD interface at 340 °C, scan range m/z 40–450
• Sample: 50 ng on-column of a 72-component semivolatile standard with eight surrogates and six internal standards in methylene chloride

Key Results and Discussion

The 20 m × 0.18 mm column provided increased plate numbers per meter compared to a 0.25 mm I.D. column. Analysis time decreased by approximately 20 %, completing separations within a 10–20 min window while preserving baseline resolution for critical compound pairs. A total of 86 peaks—including nitrosamines, phenols, anilines, chlorinated aromatics, phthalates, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons—were successfully resolved and detected under EPA Method 8270D guidelines.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Faster turn-around with maintained analytical performance
• Compliance with regulatory methods for environmental testing
• Reduced carrier gas and solvent consumption
• Improved laboratory throughput in QA/QC and research settings

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances in fast GC and high-efficiency columns will further shorten runtimes. Coupling with high-resolution MS or tandem MS may enhance selectivity for complex matrices. Integration of automation and real-time data analytics will support high-throughput environmental monitoring and more efficient method development.

Conclusion

Use of a 20 m × 0.18 mm I.D., 0.36 µm SLB-5ms column under the described conditions offers a robust, rapid alternative for semivolatile analysis by EPA Method 8270D. The approach balances speed and resolution, benefiting environmental laboratories and compliance testing.

Reference

1. Application Report 406, Katherine Stenerson, Sigma-Aldrich Co., 2006