Semivolatiles
Organic Compounds
(SVO)
This
group of organic chemicals encompasses a wide variety of compounds, and
may exist as gases, as solids, as contaminants dissolved in water or as
immiscible liquids (oils, etc). The chemicals are often classified into
groups. Analysis of the halogenated and non-halogenated compounds is done
using a gas chromatograph - mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and analysis of the
pesticides is done normally done using a GC with an electron capture detector
(GC-ECD).
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Halogenated
semivolatiles are compounds which have fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or
iodine attached to them. The halogen itself or the way it is attached to
the remainder of the compound may significantly affect the method of treatment
required. Usually halogenated compounds require rather harsh remedial action
treatments. Included among this group of chemicals are cresols and phenols
that are found within almost all industrial sites.
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Non-halogenated
semivolatiles contain no fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. These
compounds usually require much "gentler" methods for remediation. Chemicals
included in this group may be exemplified by the analines, napthalene (found
in moth balls), and benzo(a)pyrene (a carcinogen).
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Pesticides
are included in the chemical analysis for semivolatile compounds. Since
most of our work is involved with mixed waste material from confined containers,
process knowledge indicates that pesticides would not be present. Our Facility
does not specifically analyze for this group of compounds; however several
common ones would be identified by the GC-MS library as tentatively identified
coumpounds during analysis for halogenated and non-halogenated semi- volatiles.
[Organic
Analysis Page]