Overview
EN ISO 17993:2003 (ISO 17993:2002 adopted by CEN) defines a validated laboratory method for the determination of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in water. The procedure uses liquid–liquid extraction (typically with hexane), concentration of the extract, optional silica clean-up for contaminated samples, and separation by HPLC with fluorescence detection (wavelength programming). It is intended for drinking water, ground water (individual compound limits ≥ 0.005 µg/L) and surface waters (≥ 0.01 µg/L). With modifications the method can be applied to wastewater and to other PAH after validation.
Key Topics
- Target analytes: 15 PAH - naphthalene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, fluorene, anthracene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene. (Note: acenaphthylene is excluded because it is not fluorescent.)
- Detection limits: method specifies suitability for concentrations above 0.005 µg/L (drinking/ground water) and 0.01 µg/L (surface water).
- Analytical principle: liquid–liquid extraction → solvent evaporation → reconstitution → HPLC separation (gradient elution) → fluorescence detection with excitation/emission programming for selective PAH identification and quantification.
- Sample handling: use glass or stainless containers, avoid plastics and organic contaminants; follow ISO 5667 guidance for sampling and preservation to minimize adsorption and photodegradation.
- Interferences: fluorescent or quenching co-eluting compounds, solvent residues and incomplete chromatographic resolution (e.g., dibenzo[a,h]anthracene/indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene). Method gives measures for clean-up and wavelength selection (suppression of perylene) to mitigate interference.
- Safety: some PAH are carcinogenic; common solvents (hexane, acetonitrile, dichloromethane) are toxic - follow laboratory safety rules.
Applications
- Regulatory compliance: monitoring drinking water and surface waters against EU limits (e.g., benzo(a)pyrene 0.010 µg/L; sum of four PAH 0.100 µg/L as noted in Council Directive 98/83/EC).
- Environmental monitoring: routine surveillance of rivers, groundwater and drinking-water sources for PAH contamination.
- Industrial wastewater testing: adaptable with modifications and validation for more polluted matrices.
- Research & forensics: quantification of PAH sources, fate and transport studies.
Related Standards (if applicable)
- ISO 5667-2, ISO 5667-3 - sampling and sample handling guidance
- ISO 8466-1 - calibration and evaluation of analytical methods (statistical evaluation)
- EN ISO 17993:2003 references and harmonizes with these standards for complete water quality testing workflows.
Keywords: EN ISO 17993:2003, PAH analysis, HPLC with fluorescence detection, liquid–liquid extraction, water quality testing, benzo(a)pyrene, drinking water monitoring.