Improved Petroleum Hydrocarbon Analysis

From 1st March 2007, Severn Trent Laboratories (STL) have been able to offer improved methods for the analysis of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in soils. The methods are being introduced in line with the Environment Agency document, The UK Approach for Evaluating Human Health Risks from
Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soils.
The document, intended for those dealing with contaminated land, has been developed as part of the EA’s Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) science programme and, along with risk assessment guidance, will be used in the derivation of Soil Guideline Values for
Petroleum Hydrocarbons.
The basis of the framework is the United States Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Criteria Working Group (TPHCWG), which has been modified for the UK and extended to take into account the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) work on heavier hydrocarbon fractions.
STL have developed two new methods for the analysis of Volatile Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons, offering lower limits of detection than were previously available. Both methods
have received full UKAS accreditation and MCERTS accreditation where possible. STL also offer fully UKAS accredited analysis, with MCERTS status for Total Hydrocarbons. This method is available in three ranges of banding. These methods have been developed for those dealing with Contaminated Land and cover the range >C5-C44 and include BTEX compounds.
Severn Trent Laboratories, are one of the UK’s leading commercial laboratories, providing a range of expert analysis for monitoring water, waste, contaminated land, landfill, asbestos, radiochemistry, emissions and microbiological investigation. Through STL’s Source division, they offer a monitoring and sampling service for water,
land, air, landfill gases, dust, noise and vibration.