When it comes to water safety, halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) are the silent culprits lurking in both natural and man-made water sources. These persistent, bioaccumulative, and highly toxic compounds have been linked to numerous health risks such as cancer and birth defects. Traditional analytical methods, like chromatography-mass spectrometry, have been effective but insufficient in handling the complexity and variety of HOCs present in environmental waters. To bridge this analytical gap, the industry is now shifting towards a more holistic approach—Total Organic Halogen (TOX) analysis.
Matrix Complexity
Environmental waters are complex matrices that often contain a large number of diverse compounds, both organic and inorganic. This complexity interferes with the detection and quantification of HOCs, often requiring extensive pre-treatment and separation steps that can introduce errors or lose sample material.
Sensitivity and Selectivity
Traditional methods may lack the sensitivity required to detect HOCs at low concentrations, particularly when they are present in complex environmental samples. While these methods are good for identifying known compounds, their selectivity can be lacking for uncharacterized, emerging, or novel HOCs.
Isomer Identification
HOCs often have isomers—molecules with the same chemical formula but different structural arrangements. Different isomers can have vastly different toxicological profiles. Traditional methods like chromatography might not always effectively separate these isomers, leading to inaccuracies in quantification and risk assessment.
Time and Labor-Intensive
Traditional methods can be cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when dealing with complicated sample preparation and the long run times sometimes needed for chromatographic separation. This increases the cost and reduces the efficiency of HOC detection.
Limited Range of Compounds
Chromatography-based methods often require targeted approaches that are specific to certain types of compounds. If an HOC doesn’t fit the targeted chemical profile, it might go undetected. This is particularly concerning for unregulated or novel HOCs that may be missed entirely.
Potential for Degradation or Transformation
HOCs are relatively stable but can still degrade over time or under certain conditions (e.g., light, heat). Traditional methods requiring extensive sample handling and long analysis times may result in partial degradation, leading to underestimation of concentrations.
Quantification Issues
The accuracy of traditional methods often relies on the availability of high-quality reference standards for calibration. These standards may not be available for all HOCs, particularly the emerging or less common ones, making accurate quantification difficult.
Enter total organic halogen (TOX) analysis
TOX analysis is a comprehensive index that quantifies the overall content of HOCs in waters, bridging the knowledge gap and taking us closer to ensuring water safety.
Total organic halogen employs a multitude of detection and pretreatment methods. Activated carbon-adsorption, solid-phase extraction, and liquid-liquid extraction are some techniques for separation with enrichment. On the other hand, subtraction methods and ion removal are utilized for separation without enrichment. Various international standards have laid the groundwork for TOX analysis, but the methodology is still not routinely and widely adopted, mainly due to operational complexities and costs.
Accurate TOX results in less than 10 minutes
Despite its importance, TOX analysis faces challenges like labor-intensive operations and high costs. The need of the hour is to develop simple, cost-effective, and automated TOX technologies. A focus on new adsorbents, separation methods, and automated pre-treatment equipment could revolutionize the TOX analysis landscape.
For those in the water testing industry, the cutting-edge coulometry system could be a game changer. It's designed to measure total chlorine and sulfur from ppm to % levels in solids, liquids, and gasses.
The inclusion of both chlorine and sulfur testing in a single unit like the TOX-300 offers several key advantages that could make it a compelling option for various industries. Here's why this dual functionality can be especially beneficial:
Application oriented
Conducting chlorine and sulfur analyses together provides a broader view of a sample's composition, which is essential for industries like environmental monitoring, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Faster analysis
Perform measurements in just 6 to 12 minutes with an auto boat controller. Reduces sample preparation time and allows for quicker decision-making.
Soot-free combustion
The Secure Combustion Program enables ideal pyrolysis of substances in samples.
Regulatory compliance
Use coulometry and activated carbon technologies, certified by international standards like ISO 9562/11480, US EPA 1650/9020B/9021/9076, DIN38414-17/38414-18.
By combining this system with an adsorption unit and other instruments, it's possible to measure activated carbon adsorption (AOX), volatility (POX), extractability (EOX), and organic halogens from ppb to ppm levels. This could be particularly beneficial for TOX analysis, offering a more straightforward, cost-effective and automated solution that aligns with the future needs of TOX analysis in routine laboratories.
The Road Ahead
As water safety becomes increasingly complex, it's clear that the future lies in comprehensive analytical tools like the TOX-300 coulometry system. This advanced equipment not only aligns with the next generation of TOX analysis but also offers the versatility and efficiency required by the industry. By automating the detection and quantification of chlorine and sulfur, the TOX-300 allows for rapid, accurate assessments that meet global regulatory standards. As we look forward, this system provides a pathway to a safer tomorrow by transforming the way we measure, and ultimately ensure, the safety of our water.
Talk to our consultants if the TOX-300 is right for your lab