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Dioxin & Furan Analysis  
Analysis of Dioxins & Furans is a complex science requiring everyone involved to work closely to ensure all aspects of sampling and analysis meet client, project and regulatory requirements.

Leeder Consulting’s local experience and understanding of Dioxin & Furan Analysis is supported by our international partners who rank among today's leaders in dioxin / furan science.

Independence and commitment to your "data quality objectives" (DQO’s), enables us to determine how data will be used and offer appropriate, cost effective solutions. These can include onsite screening by Immunoassay or GC-MS through to fully validated testing by internationally accredited procedures.
dioxin and furan molecules

Screening for Dioxins & Furans
Depending on project requirements, screening can be performed either on site or in our laboratory.

Immunoassay Screening is particularly relevant and useful where fast turnarounds are required on soils, sediments and ashes. The technology is very sensitive and specific, providing semiquantitative TEQ results, down to part per billion levels within hours of sampling. Immunoassay can save considerable time and money when used for screening samples on site or prior to full analysis.

Screening by GC-MS can assist on projects with a wider range of matrices and a wider range of organic compounds. e.g. Dioxins, PCB’s, PAH’s etc in soil, water & air.

Full Analysis for Dioxins & Furans
Samples requiring full regulatory testing are analysed overseas by our internationally recognised and accredited partner laboratories. Our service includes all freight & handling, full analysis, QA/QC and provision of a full data package on completion. Options include full analysis by Low Resolution or High Resolution Mass Spectrometry as well as analysis only for specific isomers.

Low Resolution Mass Spectrometry
US EPA Method 8280 provides analysis for Cl4 - Cl8 Dioxins / Furans, Total Homologues
and all 2,3,7,8 - Substituted Isomers of Cl4 - Cl8 Dioxins / Furans.

Typical Detection limits for 2,3,7,8-TCDD/TCDF are :
  • Waters and Effluents : 1.0 -10 parts per trillion
  • Soils, Sediments Ashes & Sludges : 0.1 -1.0 parts per billion
  • Air / Incineration : 0.2 -10 nanograms per sample (EPA Method 23)

High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
US EPA Method 8290 provides analysis for Cl4 - Cl8 Dioxins / Furans, Total Homologues
and all 2,3,7,8 - Substituted Isomers of Cl4 - Cl8 Dioxins / Furans.

Typical Detection limits for 2,3,7,8-TCDD/TCDF are:
  • Waters and Effluents : 1.0 -10 parts per quadrillion
  • Soils, Sediments : 0.1 -1.0 parts per trillion
  • Sludges : 0.5 - 1.0 parts per trillion
  • Ashes : 1.0 - 2.0 parts per trillion
  • Air / Incineration : 10 -50 picograms per sample (EPA Method 23)
Analysis of Specific Isomers
For projects and samples with specific requirements we can target, analyse and report the compounds of interest. (e.g 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 2,3,7,8-TCDF only)