United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPAV540/MR-95/515
August 1995
SUPERFUND INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION
Demonstration Bulletin
HNU - Hanby PCP Immunoassay Test Kit
HNU - Systems, Inc.
Technology Description: The HNU-Hanby test kit rapidly ana-
lyzes for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and water samples. The
test kit can be used to estimate pentachlorophenol (PCP) con-
centrations in samples when the carrier solvent is a petroleum
hydrocarbon. The test kit estimates PCP concentrations in soil
samples indirectly by measuring petroleum hydrocarbon carrier
solvent for the PCP. The carrier solvent concentration to PCP
concentration ratio must be constant for the test kit results to be
usable.
To quantify the PCP results, site specific split samples are used
for confirmatory laboratory determination of PCP concentrations
using EPA approved methods. The confirmatory laboratory re-
sults and test kit results can generate calibration data by correlat-
ing the two sets of data. As the number of samples and data
points increase, the accuracy of the test kit results should im-
prove.
The test kit uses the Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction to detect
aromatics and petroleum in soil and water samples. An electrophile
is formed by the reaction of a Lewis acid catalyst, such as
aluminum chloride, with an alkyl halide. Electro-phile aromatic
substitution products are generally very large molecules with a
high degree of electron dislocation that causes intense coloring.
When testing, the sample's color is compared to site specific
color standards for a semiquantitative assessment of PCP con-
centrations. Alternatively, the color change can be read by a
reflective photometer. The reflective photometer used with cali-
bration charts can provide quantitative results for PCP, if the
carrier to PCP ratio is consistent.
Waste Applicability: The Hanby test kit measures PCP carriers
that contain aromatic and petroleum hydrocarbons in soils. The
method assumes a consistent ratio of PCP to carrier solvent. The
method indirectly measures PCP concentrations with carrier sol-
vents at a detection level of 1.0 parts/mil for aromatic com-
pounds.
Demonstration Results: The HNU-Hanby PCP test kit was used
to screen and quantify PCP contamination in soils for a SITE
demonstration. The screening kit was demonstrated in Morrisville,
NC in August 1993, with samples collected from a site in Winona,
MO. :
The method was found to produce Level 1 quality data during the
demonstration. When PCP was present the test kit always de-
tected the PCP. However, this result may be attributed to the
abundance of petroleum carriers in the samples.
HNU Systems recently introduced a similar method that could
measure PCP more directly by detecting chlorinated compounds
in soil and water. This method works on the same principle as the
method to detect aromatic compounds, only the method is con-
ducted in reverse. The chlorinated compounds are originally
present in the soil or water and an aromatic compound is intro-
duced as a catalyst to allow the Friedel-Crafts reaction to pro-
ceed. The new method is also a colorimetric method.
An Innovative Technology Evaluation Report (ITER) describing
the complete demonstration will be available in late 1995.
Acknowledgment: This Bulletin was prepared by the U.S. Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Develop-
ment, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati,
OH 45268.
For Further Information:
i
EPA Project Manager:
Jeanette Van Emon
U.S. EPA
944 East Harmon
P.O. Box 93478
Las Vegas, NV 89193-3478
702-798-2154
Printed on Recycled Paper
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United States
Environmental Protection Agency
National Risk Management Research Laboratory (G-72)
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
BULK RATE
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA
PERMIT No. G-35
EPA/540/MR-95/515
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