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Description
The Biochemical and Exposure Sciences Group (BSEG) produces environmental matrix and solution-based reference materials to support the environmental measurement community. These materials assist in identifying legacy organic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)that were commonly used in electrical transformers and carbonless paper, organochlorine pesticides such as DDT, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are produced during combustion processes. Other contaminants have only recently received attention. Some common emerging contaminants include brominated flame retardants (BFRs) e.g., polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phosphorous flame retardants (PFRs), plastic additives, and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). Although most legacy contaminants have been banned or phased out of production, these compounds persist in the environment due to their chemical stability and resistance to decomposition. Below is a summary of reference materials supported by the BSEG. Additional environmental matrix materials are available, especially for PAHs. For further information, please visit: https://shop.nist.gov
Reference Materials can be classified into the following groups:
Sediment reference materials: Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1941b Organics in Marine Sediment with values for PAHs, alkyl PAH, PAH alkyl groups, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and SRM 1936 Great Lakes Sediment with values for PCBs and PAHs. SRM 2781 Domestic Sludge PFAS, HBCDs, nitro musks, and trace elements.
Particulate-related reference materials: SRM 1649b Urban Dust with values for PAHs, alkyl PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, toxaphene congeners, dioxins and furans, BFRs, and trace elements and SRM 2585 Organic Contaminants in House Dust with values for PAHs, alkyl PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PFAS, nitro musks, and PFRs. SRM 2786 and 2787 Fine Atmospheric Particulate Matter with values for PAHs and PBDEs.
Tissue reference materials: SRM 1974c Organics in Mussel Tissue (Mytilus edulis) with values for PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PAHs, trace elements and SRM 2974a Organics in Freeze-Dried Mussel Tissue (Mytilus edulis) values for PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PBDEs, hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), and mercury. SRM 1945 Organics in Whale Blubber has values of PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PBDEs, and toxaphene congeners.
Solution-based reference materials: Solution-based materials help verify secondary calibration solutions. Examples of solution-based reference materials include SRM 2262 Chlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane, SRM 2258 BDE 209 in 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane and RM 8446 Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids and Perfluorooctane Sulfonimide in Methanol.
Natural matrix reference materials currently available:
Name | Number | Values for |
|---|---|---|
Urban Dust | 1649b | PAHs, alkyl PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, toxaphene congeners, dioxins and furans, BFRs, trace elements |
Organic Contaminants in House Dust | 2585 | PAHs, alkyl PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PFAS, nitro musks, PFRs |
Domestic Sludge | 2781 | PFAS, HBCDs, nitro musks, trace elements |
Great Lakes Sediment | 1936 | PAHs, PCBs |
Organics in Marine Sediment | 1941b | PAHs, alkyl PAH, PAH alkyl groups, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides |
Organics in Mussel Tissue (Mytilus edulis) | 1974c | PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PAHs, trace elements |
Organics in Freeze-Dried Mussel Tissue (Mytilus edulis) | 2974a | PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PBDEs, HBCDs, mercury |
Organic Contaminants in Non-Smokers' Urine (Frozen) | 3673 | Hydroxylated PAHs, phenols, phthalate monoesters, parabens, VOC metabolites |
Organic Contaminants in Smokers' Urine (Frozen) | 3672 | Hydroxylated PAHs, phenols, phthalate monoesters, parabens, VOC metabolites |
Organic Contaminants in Non-Fortified Human Milk | 1953 | PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, BFRs, dioxins and furans, trace elements (including iodine) |
Organic Contaminants in Fortified Human Milk | 1954 | PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, BFRs, dioxins and furans, trace elements (including iodine) |
Organic Contaminants in Non-Fortified Human Serum (Freeze-Dried) | 1957 | PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PFAS, BFRs, dioxins and furans, bromo and chlorophenols |
Organic Contaminants in Fortified Human Serum (Freeze-Dried) | 1958 | PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PFAS, BFRs, dioxins and furans, bromo and chlorophenols |
For additional information on reference materials and other activities related to PFAS see https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas