Semi-volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs)

Semi-Volatile Organic Compound Testing

Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are a wide group of organic compounds that generally have a higher molecular weight and higher boiling points as VOCs. Common sources of SVOCs include petroleum products (such as diesel fuel, coal tar, and lubrication oils), as well as industrial chemicals used in the manufacturing of plastics, dyes, and a wide variety of consumer and commercial applications.

The concentrations of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) are determined by solvent extraction from the sample then analyzing the extract using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Method 8270 is used when analyzing surface and ground water as well as solid sample matrices. Method 625.1 is used for wastewater samples. The compounds that make up the reported analyte list can be separated into three groups: acids, bases and neutrals. When the complete list of compounds is requested, it is generally referred to as “ABN” (or sometimes BNA). A subset of analytes, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (or PAH) is commonly requested.

The following is a list of methods and parameters. Please contact us if you have questions regarding specific analytes or methods.

SW-846 8270 SVOCs ABN and PAH
EPA 625.1 SVOCs ABN

The Following SVOC Analytes are Commonly Reported
N-nitrosodimethylamine
2,4-dinitrotoluene
anilineacenaphthene*
phenol3-nitroaniline
2-chlorophenol
2,4-dinitrophenol
bis(2-chloroethyl)ether
dibenzofuran*
1,3-dichlorobenzene
4-nitrophenol
1,4-dichlorobenzene
fluorene*
1,2-dichlorobenzene
diethyl phthalate
benzyl alcohol
4-chlorophenyl phenyl ether
2-methylphenol
4-nitroaniline
bis(2-chloroisopropyl) ether
4,6-dinitro-2-methylphenol
hexachloroethane
azobenzene
N-nitroso-di-N-propylamine
N-nitrosodiphenylamine
4-methylphenol
4-bromophenyl phenyl ether
nitrobenzene
hexachlorobenzene
isophorone
pentachlorophenol
2-nitrophenol
phenanthrene*
2,4-dimethylphenol
anthracene*
bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane
carbazole
2,4-dichlorophenol
di-n-butylphthalate
1,2,4-trichlorobenzene
fluoranthene*
naphthalene*
benzidine
benzoic acid
pyrene*
4-chloroaniline
butyl benzyl phthalate
hexachlorobutadiene
benzo(a)anthracene*
4-chloro-3-methylphenol
chrysene*
2-methylnaphthalene*
3,3′-dichlorobenzidine
hexachlorocyclopentadiene
bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
2,4,6-trichlorophenol
di-n-octyl phthalate
2,4,5-trichlorophenol
benzo(b)fluoranthene*
2-chloronaphthalene
benzo(k)fluoranthene*
2-nitroaniline
benzo(a)pyrene*
acenaphthylene*
indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene*
dimethylphthalate
dibenzo(a,h)anthracene*
2,6-dinitrotoluene
benzo(g,h,i)perylene*

* Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)