Overview
EN ISO 10301:1997 - Water quality - Determination of highly volatile halogenated hydrocarbons - Gas-chromatographic methods (ISO 10301:1997) is a CEN-adopted international standard (confirmed by resolution 281/2002) that specifies laboratory procedures for measuring highly volatile halogenated hydrocarbons in water using gas chromatography. The document defines two principal analytical routes: liquid/liquid extraction followed by GC and a static headspace GC method. Annexes A–G provide informative material such as compound characteristics, example chromatograms and practical accessories (microseparator, detector sensitivity, extraction recovery, sampling guidance).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: Covers fluorinated, chlorinated, brominated and iodinated low‑molecular‑weight hydrocarbons (highly volatile halogenated hydrocarbons).
- Two validated methods:
- Liquid/liquid extraction + GC - suitable for drinking water, groundwater, many rivers/lakes, pools and numerous effluents. Extract analytes into an organic solvent and analyze with GC.
- Static headspace + GC - suitable for drinking, surface and ground waters; useful as a screening technique for industrial effluents (confirmatory testing may require extraction).
- Detection and instrumentation: Gas chromatograph with electron‑capture detector (ECD) or other suitable detectors; capillary columns recommended for high separation power.
- Sampling and sample handling: Follow ISO 5667‑1 and ISO 5667‑2 for sampling design and techniques; use glass bottles with no headspace, minimize plastic contact, cool samples to ~4 °C and extract promptly (ideally within 48 h).
- Reagents & standards: Purity checks for solvents and gases; preparation and storage of stock, intermediate and working standards; use sodium thiosulfate to quench free halogens when necessary.
- Quality assurance: Calibration, blank checks, interference control, and follow ISO/TR 13530 guidance on analytical quality control.
- Informative annexes: Provide practical examples (chromatograms), precision data, microseparator designs and sample collection notes.
Practical applications and users
- Environmental and public‑health water testing laboratories monitoring drinking water, groundwater, surface water, swimming pools, wastewater and industrial effluents for volatile halogenated contaminants.
- Regulatory bodies and compliance testing programs that require standardized, traceable methodologies for reporting concentrations.
- Industrial quality and environmental teams conducting routine screening or validating treatment/discharge controls.
- Method developers and instrument vendors implementing or validating GC methods (capillary columns, ECD performance).
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 10301:1997, water quality, highly volatile halogenated hydrocarbons, gas chromatography, liquid‑liquid extraction, static headspace, electron‑capture detector, water analysis, ISO 10301.