Drinking Water Analysis Conditions for USEPA Method 524.3 and the Newly Proposed Method 524.4

In June 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) promulgated a new drinking water method, 524.3. Due to advances in analytical instrumentation, Method 524.3 allows laboratories to modify purge and trap and GCMS conditions. Currently the USEPA is investigating the option of using Nitrogen as the purge gas in a new drinking water method, 524.4. This application note will explore purge and trap conditions for both Helium and Nitrogen purge gases.