Semi-Volatiles Testing

Semi-volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) can damage the thyroid and other organs, impair human reproduction and development, and affect the nervous system. They can be found in higher molecular weight petroleum products, chemicals, flame retardants, herbicides, pesticides, and additives used in industrial processes.

SVOCs include:

Hydrocarbons
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Aldehydes
Phenols
Organic acids
Phthalates

SGS Semi-Volatiles Testing Services

Sample analysis generally requires an extraction procedure to separate the compounds from the matrix. This will include a concentration step:

Aqueous samples normally use specific solvents by separatory funnel, continuous liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction or automated solid phase extraction
Solids are solvent extracted using techniques including soxhlet, microwave, ultrasonic, accelerated solvent and supercritical fluid techniques

Before analysis, our technicians will employ a range of clean-up methods to remove interfering substances. Analysis is undertaken using either:

Gas chromatography (GC) – primarily for pesticides, PCBs and herbicides
Liquid chromatography (LC) – for low-level PAHs and explosives
Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) – for a wide variety of SVOCs: phenols, PAHs, phthalates, nitroaromatics, amines and ethers, and complex matrixes
Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) for specialty analysis, including perfluorinated compounds (PFAS), low-level perchlorate and other emerging contaminants

Why choose SGS?

With a global network of over 6,000 environmental scientists, we provide ultra low-level testing on persistent organic pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), dioxins and furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and high-resolution GC/MS in our Centers of Excellence. Our technical staff will assist in the selection of appropriate procedures to ensure that the proper methods, reporting lists and detection limits are met for your project.

Contact your local SGS office for more information on semi-volatiles testing.