DETERMINATION OF TOTAL PCB AND DIOXIN BY ACTIVATION-ANALYSIS

The analysis of PCB's and dioxins in water by activation with high ene rgy photons is described. The substances were traced by heterochlorine . PCB and dioxins were separated selectively in the presence of a biph enyl-dibenzofurane mixture as a collector by extraction with hexane. P olar compounds were rinsed out, and chloroalkyles were evaporated. Aft er exposure of the collector to 30 MeV bremsstrahlung a was decomposed following the Schoniger procedure. The chemical yield was measured th rough activity counting of C-11 separated as (CO2)-C-11 from the colle cting agent, in comparison with a reference material. The chlorine yie ld was determined gravimetrically using a stoichiometrically well-dete rmined reference material. A few nanograms of chlorine per millilitre are detectable whereby primary samples of 1 I or more may be treated. The described procedure can be recommended as a reference technique fo r analyses via chromatography/mass spectrometry. Simultaneous analyses of other halogens are planned.