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U.S. EPA Contaminated Site Cleanup Information (CLU-IN)


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division

Dense Nonaqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs)

Detection and Site Characterization

Halogenated Monoaromatics

Diffusion Samplers

Diffusion samplers can be used to sample halogenated alkanes in water. Halogenated alkanes are volatile; therefore, diffusion sampling devices also should be effective for most of these chemicals in soil gas.

Standard Laboratory Methods

Most of the halogenated monoaromatics can be detected using standard SW-846 volatile organic methods or Contract Laboratory Program methods. The dichlorobenzenes and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene also are target compounds for SW-846 Method 8270 (semivolatiles).

Field Screening Methods

Field GC and GC/MS are appropriate for most of the halogenated benzenes. Standards should be run to verify detection limits.

Chloro- and diclorobenzenes are detectable using instruments that have a photoionization detector (PID). A 9.5 eV or 10.2 eV lamp should give good results.

A detection tube is available for chlorobenzene; however, other chlorinated hydrocarbons can interfere in its detection.