DIN ISO 28540:2014-05

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) occur in nearly all types of water. These compounds are adsorbed on solids (sediments, suspended matter) as well as dissolved in the liquid phase. Some PAH are known or suspected to cause cancer. Maximum tolerable levels have been set in a number of countries. For instance, the European Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption set the maximum acceptable level for benzo[a]pyrene at 0,010 µg/l, and for the sum of four specified PAH individual compounds (benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[ghi]perylene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene) at 0,100 µg/l. There are already existing different methods for the determination of PAH. ISO 17993 specifies methods for the determination of 15 PAH by high performance liquid chromatography in drinking water, ground water, and surface water. ISO 7981-1 and ISO 7981-2 specify methods for the determination of 6 PAH by high performance thin layer chromatography or by high performance liquid chromatography in drinking water and ground water. This International Standard specifies a method for the determination of at least 16 selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in drinking water and ground water in mass concentrations above 0,005 µg/l and in surface water in mass concentrations above 0,01 µg/l (for each individual substance). This International Standard can be used for samples containing up to 150 mg/l of suspended matter. This method is, with some modification, also suitable for the analysis of waste water. It is possible that this method is applicable to other PAH, provided the method is validated for each case. The underlying International Standard has been adopted at ISO/TC 147/SC 2/WG 19 "Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)" and by NA 119-01-03 AA "Wasseruntersuchung" ("Water examination"). The responsible German body is Subcommittee NA 119-01-03-02 UA "Organische Verbindungen" ("Organic compounds") of Working Committee NA 119-01-03 AA "Wasseruntersuchung" ("Water examination") at DIN Standards Committee Water Practice (NAW). The project has been funded by the Länderfinanzierungsprogramm "Wasser, Boden und Abfall" (federal funding programme "Water, soil and waste").