Electron capture gas chromatographic methodology for the quantitation of polychlorinated biphenyls: survey and compromise.

A uniform approach to quantitation of environmental PCB residues was sought. There exists a requirement for a reasonable compromise between accurate analysis and the ability to handle large numbers of samples. An international survey of electron-capture gas chromatographic methods utilized by laboratories currently analyzing for PCB was conducted from the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. Subsequent evaluation of the methods received has led to adoption of a uniform basic procedure which fulfils the objectives and demonstrates a wide general applicability.