GC Column Selection by EPA Method

This table summarizes EPA environmental GC method directions by analyte group, sample matrix, sampling technique, detector, and recommended GS-Tek column.

Request Method SupportSelection Guide HomeSearch by Catalog Number
Review note: Confirm the final column selection against your validated method, target analytes, sample matrix, detector, and acceptance criteria.
CategoryTarget AnalyteSampleEPA Method CodeSampling TechniqueDetectorRecommended ColumnCat. No.Alternate ColumnAlternate Cat. No.
VOCsTrihalomethanesDrinking water501P/T, HS or Direct InjectionECDGsBP-624, 30m x 0.53mm x 3.0um6253-3030
VOCsVolatile Organic (VOCs)Drinking water, waste water, solid wastes502.2, 8021,CLP-VolatilesP/T, HS or Direct InjectionPID, ECDGsBP-624, 75m x 0.53mm x 3.0um6253-7530
VOCsPurgeable Halogenated OrganicsWaste water, solid wastes601, 8010P/T, HSPID, ECDGsBP-624, 75m x 0.53mm x 3.0um6253-7530
VOCsPurgeable Aromatic OrganicsDrinking water,503.1, 602, 8020P/TPIDGsBP-624, 30m x 0.53mm x 3.0um6253-3030
VOCsVolatile Organic Compounds (VoCs) using MSDDrinking water,524.2, 624, 8240, 8260, CLP-VOCsP/T, HS or Direct InjectionMSDGsBP-624, 60 m x 0.25 mm x1.4 µm6225-6014
VOCsEDB and DBCPDrinking water,504.1, 8011Microextraction with HexcaneECDGsBP-624, 30m x 0.53mm x 3.0um6253-3030
VOCsAcrylonitrile and AcroleinWaste water,solid wastes603, 8015, 8031Purge and trap, liquid extraction, sonicationFID, NPD, ECD, MSDGsBP-624, 30m x 0.53mm x 3.0um6253-3030
sVOCssVOCsDrinking water, waste water, solid wastes525, 625, 8270Liquid extraction, sonication, soxhlet extraction, SPEMSDGsBP-5MS, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.50 µm1525-3005
sVOCsPhenolsWaste water, solid wastes528, 604, 8040, 8041Liquid extraction, sonication, soxhlet extraction, derivatizationECD, FIDGsBP-5MS, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.25 µm1525-3002GsBP-5XLB, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.525µm1625-3002
sVOCsPhthalate EstersDrinking water, waste water, solid wastes506, 606, 8060, 8061Liquid extraction, sonication, soxhlet extraction, derivatizationECD, FIDGsBP-5MS, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.25 µm1525-3002GsBP-5MS, 30m x 0.53mm x1.5um1553-3015
sVOCsBenzidineswaste water605Liquid extractionECDGsBP-5MS, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.25 µm1525-3002GsBP-5MS, 30m x 0.53mm x1.5um1553-3015
sVOCsNitrosaminesWaste water,solid wastes607, 8070Liquid extraction,sonication, soxhlet extraction, SPENPDGsBP-5MS, 30m x 0.53mm x1.5um1553-3015GsBP-5MS, 30m x 0.53mm x1.5um1553-3015
sVOCsNitroaromatics and IsophoroneWaste water,solid wastes609, 8090Liquid extraction, sonication, soxhlet extraction, SPEECD,FIDGsBP-5MS, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.50 µm1525-3005GsBP-5MS, 30m x 0.53mm x0.50um1553-3005
sVOCsPolynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons(PAHs)Waste water,solid wastes610, 8100Liquid extraction, sonication, soxhlet extraction, SPEFIDGsBP-1MS, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.25 µm1125-3002GsBP-5MS, 30m x 0.53mm x1.5um1553-3015
sVOCsChlorinated HydrocarbonsWaste water,solid wastes612, 8120, 8121Liquid extraction,sonication,soxhlet extraction,SPEECDGsBP-5MS, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.50 µm1525-3005GsBP-1, 30 m x 0.32 mm x 0.50 µm0132-3005
sVOCsChlorinated Disinfection ByproductsDrinking water551, 551.1ALiquid extraction, derivatizationECDGsBP-5MS, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 1.00 µm1525-3010GsBP-1MS, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 1.00 µm1125-3010
sVOCsHalogenated Acetic AcidsDrinking water552,552.1,552.2Liquid extraction, derivatizationECDGsBP-35MS, 30m x 0.32mm x 0.25um3532-3002GsBP-XLB, 30m x 0.32mm x 0.50um1632-3005
Pesticides, Herbicides and PCBSOrganochlorine Pesticides and PCBsDrinking water508.1, 608, 8081A, 808.2, CLP-PesticidesLiquid extraction, derivatizationECDGsBP-35MS, 30m x 0.32mm x 0.25um3532-3002GsBP-XLB, 30m x 0.32mm x 0.50um1632-3005
Pesticides, Herbicides and PCBSPhenoxy Acid HerbicidesDrinking water515, 615, 8150, 8151Liquid extraction,derivatizationECDGsBP-35MS, 30m x 0.32mm x 0.25um3532-3002GsBP-XLB, 30m x 0.32mm x 0.50um1632-3005
Pesticides, Herbicides and PCBSN- and P-Containing Pesticides and HerbicidesDrinking water507, 614,619,622,8140,8141ALiquid extraction,derivatizationNPD,ELCD,FPDGsBP-35MS, 30m x 0.32mm x 0.25um3532-3002GsBP-5MS, 30m x 0.25mm x 0.25um1525-3002
OzonesVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) In AirAirTO-15, TO14A, TO-17air canister, TDFID, NPD, ECD, MSDGsBP-1, 60m x 0.32mm x 1.0um0132-6010GsBP-PLOT Al KCL, 30m x 0.32mm x 8um8132-3008