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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 Alkanes

Dibromochloromethane

Dibromochloromethane (DBCM) is a volatile halogenated organic and as such is subject to most standard characterization and analytical techniques used on this class of chemicals. Methods such as vertical profiling, dyes, and standard GC/MS are discussed in the main section for DNAPLs detection and site characterization.

Diffusion Samplers

DBCM-contaminated groundwater can be sampled by Diffusion Samplers (ITRC 2004).

Laboratory Methods

Analysis of DBCM can be performed using standard analyses such as SW-846 methods 8021bAdobe PDF Logo, 8260bAdobe PDF Logo, and 8260cAdobe PDF Logo.

Field Screening Methods

No method specific to DBCM was found.

Given its Henry's constant, DBCM should be detectable using headspace analysis with a field GC. Standards should be run to verify detection limit requirements. The photoionization energy for DBCM is 10.59 eV (HNU 1997). If a PID detector is used, then the lamp must be 11.7 eV.

References

Photoionization Characteristics of Selected CompoundsAdobe PDF Logo
HNU Systems, Inc., 12 pp, 1997

Technical and Regulatory Guidance for Using Polyethylene Diffusion Bag Samplers to Monitor Volatile Organic Compounds in Groundwater Adobe PDF Logo
Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC), DSP-3, 78 pp, 2004

Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods
U.S. EPA, SW-846 on line