The EnviroGard™ pentachlorophenol (PCP) immunoassay test kit, shown in the photograph below, rapidly analyzes soil and water samples at sites contaminated with PCP. The procedure is performed by adding a water or soil sample extract to test tubes coated with a specific antibody along with a PCP-enzyme conjugate. The PCP from the sample and the enzyme conjugate compete for immobilized anti-PCP antibody binding sites. After the initial competitive reaction, any unbound enzyme conjugate is washed from the tubes and a clear substrate is added. Any bound enzyme conjugate colors the clear substrate blue. A small portable photometer is used to measure the color intensity, which is inversely related to the concentration of the PCP in the original sample or calibrator solution.
EnviroGard™ PCP Immunoassay Test Kit
The amount of color in the sample tubes is compared to calibrators corresponding to either 10 and 100 parts per million (ppm) for soil samples or 5 and 50 parts per billion (ppb) for water samples. Different detection levels can be achieved by diluting either the soil sample extract or the water sample.
The test kit has been tested for interferences with humic acids, pH, water content in soil samples, and oil co-contamination. Humic acid content in sample extracts greater than 10,000 ppb may cause false positive results. Samples with pH within the range of 4 to 14 were found to be correctly evaluated. The test kit correctly evaluated soils containing water up to 30 percent by weight, as well as samples containing water up to 10 percent by weight. Soil samples containing up to 10 percent oil were also correctly evaluated by the test kit.
The EnviroGard™ PCP test kit measures PCP in water samples and extracts of soil samples. Detection limits are 10 ppm for soil samples and 5 ppb for water samples.
The EnviroGard™ PCP test kit was used to screen and quantify PCP contamination in soil and groundwater during a SITE demonstration in Morrisville, North Carolina in August 1993. The PCP carrier used at this site was a mixture of isopropyl ether and butane. In addition, soil and groundwater samples collected from a wood- preserving site in Winona, Missouri were tested during the demonstration. Diesel fuel was used as the PCP carrier at this site.
The test kit did not meet acceptable accuracy requirements during the demonstration. Millipore has since developed a revised protocol for PCP analysis. Millipore believes the revised protocol improves the accuracy and reproducibility of the test.
The Innovative Technology Evaluation Report (EPA/540/R-95/514), which details results from the demonstration, is available from EPA.
The EnviroGard™ PCP test kit has been accepted by the EPA Office of Solid Waste for inclusion in SW-846 as Method 4010A.
EPA PROJECT MANAGER:
Jeanette Van Emon
U.S. EPA
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Characterization Research Division
P.O. Box 93478
Las Vegas, NV 89193-3478
702-798-2154
Fax: 702-798-2261
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER CONTACT:
Barbara Young
Analytical Division
Millipore Corporation
80 Ashby Road
Bedford, MA 01730
617-533-5207
Fax: 617-533-3135