Science
 ToRESULTS
  SCIENCE lies at the heart of the mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Agency must rely on cutting edge research, accurate
  measurements and effective technology to implement its programs to protect the environment and human health'. Without sound science and credible data,
  EPA can not wisely set environmental and health standards, clean up contaminated sites, measure ambient air and water quality conditions, or identify the new
  technologies or practices that will reduce releases to the environment These fact sheets share with you some of our EPA New England's laboratory capabilities
  and exemplify some of the very best science we do to meet our agency mission.
KEY  CONTACTS:


PETER PHILBROOK
Chemist
(617) 918-8602
philbrook.peter@epa.gov

ERNEST WATERMAN
Chief, Environmental
Investigations & Analysis
(617) 918-8632
waternian.ernest@epa.gov

ROBERT  HILLCER
Senior Science Advisor
(617) 918-8660
hillger.robert@epa.gov
GENERAL  INFO:


EPA NEW ENGLAND
REGIONAL  LABORATORY
11 Technology Dr.
North Chelmsford, MA 01863
(617) 918-8300
www.epa.gov/ne/lab

TOLL-FREE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
1-800-EPA-7341
GOAL:
With concerns about perchlorate contamination of drinking water growing in the
United States, chemists at EPA New England's regional laboratory have worked
to develop the ability to analyze water samples for perchlorate even at very low
concentrations. In  partnership with EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking
Water, regional scientists sought to determine the scientific performance and accu-
racy of using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS)
instrumentation to detect perchlorate in drinking water.
PROGRESS:
Perchlorate is a chemical typically used in the manufacture
of such products as rocket fuels, fireworks and incendiary
devices. Unfortunately, perchlorate  is also a potentially
hazardous chemical to human health and the  environ-
ment. The chemical interferes with the uptake of iodine
into the thyroid gland, which can lead to changes in the
normal growth and development of children and under-
mine the metabolic process in adults. Because perchlorate
is water soluble, it can easily enter and contaminate sur-
face and groundwater drinking resources.

Given  the  health concerns,  environmental regulators
need to be able to detect the presence of perchlorate
in water. Until recently, EPA and the states utilized an
analytical method called  Ion Chromatography (1C) to
evaluate water  samples for perchlorate. Unfortunately,
this test method could only detect perchlorate at levels
down to about 4 parts per billion (ppb). It also lacked the
sensitivity  and specificity  to separate out  interferences
from metals, salts, and charged ions in the water samples
being tested. This problem is called matrix interference.

To overcome these obstacles, EPA New England chemists
began tests to evaluate the effectiveness of using Liquid
Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-
MS/MS) in detecting perchlorate. Using water samples
from specific known sites
where  perchlorate con-      EP* chemist analyzing
tamination  existed, EPA         a water sample
chemists   analyzed   for
perchlorate down to 100 parts per trillion (ppt) with a
high degree of specificity and confidence. More impor-
tantly, they discovered using  HPLC-MS/MS resolved
the problems  associated  with matrix interference.
Working with the  EPA Office of Groundwater and
Drinking Water, they  have since  helped validate EPA
drinking water Method 331.0  and applied it to numer-
ous environmental investigations. As a result, EPA New
England's regional laboratory has been designated a
Center of Applied Science (CAS) for the application of
this perchlorate test method to water samples.

BENEFITS:
This work has provided environmental agencies with a
more robust analytical test method for perchlorate in
water. EPA New England's laboratory has assisted states
and other EPA regions with numerous perchlorate stud-
ies, which have advanced the knowledge of perchlorate
as it impacts the environment, has enabled the agency
to identify specific sources of pollution, and has assisted
in the reduction of perchlorate contamination in both
public and private drinking water systems.
                                v>EPA
                United States
                Environmental Protection
                Agency
                               EPA-901-F-09-021
                                     April 2009
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