This draft European Standard specifies a method for quantitative determination of seven polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCB-28, PCB-52, PCB-101, PCB-118, PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-180) in solid waste using high-resolution gas chromatography with electron capture or mass spectrometric detection. The basic content of this standard is identical to that of the Horizontal PCB-standard and is therefore also applicable to soil, sludge and treated bio-waste. The detection and the quantification limits in this method are dependent on sample intake, the level of interferences as well as instrumental limitations. Under the conditions specified in this standard, minimum amounts of individual PCB congeners equal or above 0,01 mg/ kg dry matter can typically be determined with no interferences present.
NOTE For the analysis of PCB in insulating liquids, petroleum products, used oils and aqueous samples is referred to EN 61619, EN 12766–1 and EN ISO 6468 respectively.
The method may be applied to the analysis of other PCB congeners not specified in the scope, but its suitability should be proven by proper in-house validation experiments.