Development of the analytical method for 1,4-dioxane in water by liquid-liquid extraction

A convenient and simple method for the analysis of 1,4-dioxane in water was developed by liquid-liquid extraction combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and applied to the water samples in Korea. Evaluation of the liquid-liquid extraction method was demonstrated by comparing with two extraction methods, which were solid-phase extraction and purge and trap method. They were referred to the standard methods for the examination of water in Japan and U.S. EPA methods. Liquid-liquid extraction was conducted by using methylene chloride and sodium chloride. This method was combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Recoveries showed in the range from 86 to 102% with relative standard deviation of 3.0 to 5.2%. The correlation coefficient of the linear regression curve was above 0.99 and method detection limit of 1,4-dioxane was 0.2 ng mL−1 for 20 mL of water sample. The precision and accuracy were obtained within error rate of 9%. 1,4-Dioxane was detected in the treated water and raw water near Nakdong River from 0 to 240.0 ng mL−1. It has surveyed constantly with the national problem in Korea. The developed method may be suitable to analyze and observe 1,4-dioxane regularly.