ASTM D4657-92(1998)

1.1 This test method covers the determination of certain polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and wastewater. The following compounds may be determined by this test method: acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, anthracene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenzo(ah)anthracene, fluoranthene, fluorene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, naphthalene, phenathrene, and pyrene. Additional PAHs may also be determined; however, the analyst should demonstrate that the test method is in fact applicable to the specific PAH(s) of interest before applying it to sample analysis. This test method has high sensitivity for the compounds of interest. It is limited to use by analysts familiar with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or working under close supervision of such persons.

1.2 This test method is applicable to the determination of the compounds in 1.1 in water and wastewater. This test method has been successfully used with distilled water, tap water, surface water, and the following wastewaters: effluent from an oil refinery, blast furnace, and combined coke oven and blast furnace. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices. It presupposes a high expectation of finding the specific compounds of interest. If the user is attempting to screen samples for any or all of the compounds above, component identities should be verified by using two different types of reverse phase HPLC columns, both ultraviolet and fluorescence detection, or gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-spectroscopy screening procedures, or both.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards statements are given in Section 9.