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U.S. EPA Contaminated Site Cleanup Information (CLU-IN)


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division

Dense Nonaqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs)

Detection and Site Characterization

Halogenated Alkanes

Bromoform

Bromoform is a volatile halogenated organic and as such is subject to most standard characterization and analytical techniques used on this class of chemicals. Methods such as vertical profiling, dyes, and standard GC/MS are discussed in the main section for DNAPLs detection and site characterization.

Diffusion Samplers

Bromoform-contaminated groundwater can be sampled by diffusion samplers (ITRC 2004).

Laboratory Methods

Analysis of bromoform can be performed using standard analyses such as SW-846 methods 8021bAdobe PDF Logo, 8260bAdobe PDF Logo, and 8260cAdobe PDF Logo

Field Screening Methods

A GasTec tube is available that is suitable for bromoform, but it is not bromoform specific. The detection range is 1 to 50 ppm.

The photoionization potential for bromoform is 10.51 eV. If a PID detector is used, it will need an 11.7 eV lamp to be effective (HNU1997). Standards should be run to ensure the appropriate detection limits can be attained.

References

Photoionization Characteristics of Selected CompoundsAdobe PDF Logo
HNU Systems, Inc., 12 pp, 1997

Technical and Regulatory Guidance for Using Polyethylene Diffusion Bag Samplers to Monitor Volatile Organic Compounds in Groundwater Adobe PDF Logo
Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC), DSP-3, 78 pp, 2004

Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods
U.S. EPA, SW-846 on line.