ISO 17858:2007

Overview

ISO 17858:2007 (ISO 17858:2007) specifies a laboratory method for the determination of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in waters and wastewaters (matrices containing less than 1% suspended solids) using high-resolution gas chromatography / high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). The standard covers sample preparation through final quantification, defines minimum levels at which dioxin-like PCBs can typically be determined (when no interferences are present), and sets out performance criteria and requirements for establishing method equivalency. The method is explicitly performance-based, allowing analysts to adapt procedures to overcome interferences or reduce costs provided all performance criteria are met.

Key Topics and Technical Requirements

• Target analytes: Dioxin-like tetra- to hepta-chlorinated biphenyl congeners.
• Scope of matrices: Surface water, groundwater and wastewater with <1% suspended solids.
• Analytical workflow:
  • Spiking and extraction (SPE, separatory funnel, Soxhlet where applicable)
  • Clean-up (GPC, silica/alumina/carbon columns, HPLC, florisil options)
  • Concentration and solvent exchange (macro- and micro-concentration)
  • HRGC/HRMS analysis for identification and quantification
• Calibration and quantification:
  • Isotope-dilution calibration, internal standard methods, or combined approaches
  • Ion abundance ratios, retention time criteria, and mass spectrometer resolution requirements
• Quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC):
  • Initial precision and recovery (IPR), method blanks, recovery checks, QC samples
  • System and laboratory performance checks, calibration verification, limits of detection/quantification described as minimum levels under non-interfering conditions
• Reporting: Congener-specific results, concentration in sample, and calculation of toxic equivalents (TEQ) where applicable.
• Performance-based flexibility: Modifications permitted if method equivalency and performance criteria are demonstrated.

Applications - Who Uses This Standard

• Environmental and commercial laboratories performing contaminant screening of water and wastewater
• Regulatory agencies and enforcement bodies assessing PCB contamination and compliance
• Water utilities and wastewater treatment operators monitoring discharges
• Environmental consultants and researchers conducting pollution assessment, source identification and TEQ-based risk assessments

Related Standards (if applicable)

• ISO/TC 147 series standards on water quality (method development and sampling guidance)
• ISO sampling standards (e.g., ISO 5667 series) for representative water sampling practices Note: Users should consult the normative references listed in ISO 17858 for full inter-laboratory and sampling context.

Keywords: ISO 17858, water quality, dioxin-like PCBs, HRGC/HRMS, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, isotope dilution, wastewater analysis, environmental monitoring.