Home Menu

Clean Water Act Analytical Methods

CWA Analytical Methods: Contaminants of Emerging Concern

On this page:

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) Methods Development

EPA has developed two analytical methods to identify and measure certain contaminants of emerging concern, specifically:
  • Method 1694 for a suite of 74 pharmaceuticals and personal care products
  • Method 1698 for a suite of 27 steroids and hormones, that may be determined in wastewater effluents and influents, and sewage sludge (biosolids)
These methods were validated in a single laboratory, and initially published in 2007. They have not undergone multi-laboratory validation, and have not been approved for NPDES compliance monitoring purposes at 40 CFR Part 136. Method 1694 is a compilation of at least four procedures with different extractions and analysis conditions. Since 2007, many laboratories have successfully implemented these methods or modified versions.
 

PPCP Methods; Not Approved Under Part 136

Number Method Title
1694 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Water, Soil, Sediment, and Biosolids by HPLC/MS/MS (2007)
1698 Steroids and Hormones in Water, Soil, Sediment, and Biosolids by HRGC/HRMS (2007)

Contaminants of Emerging Concern in EPA Methods 1694 and 1698

Click to expand list
Method 1694 covers 74 pharmaceuticals and personal care products
Method 1698 covers 27 steroids and hormones

Top of Page


Other New Methods

EPA also has developed and single lab validated Method 1614A, a revised version of the high-resolution GC/MS procedure for the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) used as flame retardants and Method 1699, a new high-resolution GC/MS method for organochlorine pesticides.

Other Chemical Test Methods; Not Approved Under Part 136

Number Method Title
1614A Brominated Diphenyl Ethers in Water Soil, Sediment and Tissue by HRGC/HRMS (2010)
1699 Pesticides in Water, Soil, Sediment, Biosolids, and Tissue by HRGC/HRMS (2007)

These methods have been validated in a single laboratory and peer-reviewed. The PBDEs in Method 1614A are not currently regulated, and while many of the pesticides in Method 1699 are regulated, neither of these methods have been promulgated at 40 CFR Part 136.

Top of Page