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Final Decision to Certify Hazardous Waste Environmental Technology D TECH®; TNT Test Kit (Trinitrotoluene in Water and Soil) Certification No: 96-01-019 Technology Description: The D TECH TNT assay system uses enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology. It differs from other systems in that polyclonal antibodies are attached to latex beads. The system uses soil extraction with acetone. The immunoassay system is semi-quantitative. Provided that the materials are used properly, detection is possible at 5 to 45 ppb in water and 0.5 to 5.0 ppm in soil; ranges can be extended upward by dillution of the extracts. Quantitative readings about a selected target level are obtained either by comparison with a color chart or in a microprocessor-equipped, hand-held, batter-operated reflectometer. The reaction with other nitroaromatics is insignificant except for Tetryl (Methyl-2,4,6-trinitrophenyltriamine), 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (a contaminant in technical grade TNT), and to some extent 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (a degradation product of TNT). HMX, RDX, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and the mononitroaromatics do not interfere. Differences in the extraction efficiency of TNT from various soils may cause positive or negative errors in the immunoassay results. Users should evaluate these factors before attempting to quantify results. Great care is required and established safety measures must be observed in sampling and handling soil containing explosives. As with similar assays, certain temperature controls are required for reagent storage and for carrying out the assay. The assay should be used only by trained individuals to reduce operator-caused variability.
A copy of the published Certification Notice may be obtained by contacting us at:
File last updated: October 21, 1996 |