This draft European Standard specifies a method for quantitative determination of seven selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153 and PCB180) in sludge, treated biowaste and soil using GC-MS and GC-ECD (see Table 2).
The limit of detection depends on the determinants, the equipment used, the quality of chemicals used for the extraction of the sample and the clean-up of the extract.
Under the conditions specified in this European Standard, limit of application of 1 µg/kg (expressed as dry matter) can be achieved.
Sludge and treated biowaste may differ in properties and also in the expected contamination levels of PCBs and presence of interfering substances. These differences make it impossible to describe one general procedure. This European Standard contains decision tables based on the properties of the sample and the extraction and clean-up procedure to be used.