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EPA Chemical Analysis Methods

Chemical analysis methods used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can either use a single method or a combination of methods such as gas chromatography or mass spectrometry.

  1. Chromatography

    • Gas chromatography is used by the EPA to assess levels of molecules such as pesticides and organic compounds in water. It can also be used as a step to analyze chlorinated disinfection byproducts and chlorinated solvents.

      High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is used in conjunction with other methods such as liquid to liquid or liquid to solid extraction to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

      Purge and trap capillary column gas chromatography measures volatile organic compounds.

      Ion chromatography is used to assess inorganic anions.

    Electron Capture Detectors

    • Electron capture detectors are used for identifying such molecules as chlorinated acids, chlorinated pesticides and haloacetic acids.

    Mass Spectrometry

    • The mass spectrometry method is used for measuring chemicals such as purgeable organic compunds and organic compounds.

    Colorimetry

    • Colorimetry, automated and semi-automated, is used for inorganic substances such as cyanide, nitrogen, nitrate, phosphorous, sulfate and chemical oxgen demand (COD) of a sample.

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