Recovery efficiency of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin from active carbon and other particulates

The use of Amoco active carbon (grade PX-21) as a cleanup step for the determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in environmental samples was investigated. Benzene/toluene (1:1) removed 95% TCDD from Amoco active carbon dispersed in silica gel. Other solvents, including benzene, carbon disulfide, dichloromethane, acetone, hexane, acetone/hexane (1:1), and diethyl ether, did not remove TCDD from Amoco active carbon. o-Dichlorobenzene is needed to remove TCDD from Pittsburgh active carbon completely. Hot benzene with Soxhlet extraction is adequate for TCDD removal from soil and fly ash particulates. The results derived from this study are consistent with past and present analytical practice for isolating TCDD from different matrices.