CLU-IN Home

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 Monoaromatics

Chlorobenzene

Chlorobenzene 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, membrane interface probe, and standard GC/MS are discussed in the main section for DNAPLs detection and site characterization.

Diffusion Samplers

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

Laboratory Methods

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

A discussion of laboratory analytical methods for this compound is available in the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) record for chlorobenzene under Laboratory Methods.

Field Screening Methods

Chlorobenzene should be detectable using headspace analysis with a field GC. Standards should be run to verify detection limit requirements. If using a PID detector, the photoionization value for chlorobenzene is 9.07 eV (EPA 1994).

Draeger offers a gas sampling tube that is sensitive to chlorobenzene in the 5 to 200 ppm range.

Chlorobenzene should be detectable in air by FTIR open-path spectroscopy (Robertson and Dunbar 2005).

References

Chlorobenzene, CASRN: 108-90-7
PubChem
PubChem, National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Guidance for Evaluating Landfill Gas Emissions from Closed or Abandoned Facilities
Robertson, T. and J. Dunbar.
EPA 600-R-05-123a, 217 pp, 2005

This report discusses the use of FTIR open-path spectroscopy to detect chemicals in the air, including chlorobenzene.

Standard Operating Procedure# 2114: Photoionization Detector HNUAdobe PDF Logo
U.S. EPA, Emergency Response Team, 16 pp, 1994

This document contains an extensive list of chemicals with their photoionization potentials.

Technical and Regulatory Guidance for Using Polyethylene Diffusion Bag Samplers to Monitor Volatile Organic Compounds in GroundwaterAdobe 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.