Development of a highly sensitive and selective method for the quantitative determination of tetrachloroethylene in drinking water for control and monitoring

Introduction. Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) is a hazardous chlorinated organic compound posing a serious threat for human health. This chemical referred to the hazard category II is considered a potential carcinogen (class 2A according to the International Agency on Cancer Research classification). Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, C₂Cl₄) is a chlorinated organic solvent commonly used in various industries due to its properties.

The aim of this study was to develop high-sensitive and selective method to quantify tetrachloroethylene in drinking water by using equilibrium vapor phase gas chromatography (equilibrium vapor phase GC) to provide control and monitoring for hygienic safety.

Materials and methods. The study focused on investigating chromatographic conditions for quantification of tetrachloroethylene and concomitant chlorinated organic compounds (chloroform, tetrachloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane) in drinking water. The research stages included preparing the water sample for chemical analysis; investigating the extraction degree by the ‘introduced – found’ method; selecting an optimal column and temperature mode for achieving effective division; quantifying the toxicant. To raise quantification precision, we used Chromatek-Krystal gas chromatographer, specific Electron Capture Detector (ECD), and an automated device for water sample introduction (DAZH-2М 3D) to conduct analysis by equilibrium vapor phase gas chromatography (equilibrium vapor phase GC).

Results. We substantiated the optimal conditions for maximum tetrachloroethylene extraction (100%) from water samples by using vapor phase analysis: temperature 80°C, time for achieving equilibrium over 30 minutes with adding 5 g of sodium sulfate. The tetrachloroethylene concentration range, within which the calibration graph was confirmed to be linear, was 0.0001–0.03 mg/dm³.

Limitations. No limitations can be outlined for this study.

Conclusion. The method for tetrachloroethylene (C₂Cl₄) quantification in drinking water by equilibrium vapor phase gas chromatography (equilibrium vapor phase GC), using gas chromatographic division on a capillary column and detection by the Electron Capture Detector (ECD) provides the limit of detection equal to 0.0001 mg/dm³ with the method inaccuracy equal to 39%, reproducibility 8.40% and intralaboratory precision 19%.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the provision of a biomedical ethics comm other documents.

Contributions:
Nurislamovaа Т.V. — study concept, scientific advice, relevance and conclusions;
Popova N.А. — materials and methods, results;
Maltseva О.А. — relevance, results, discussion and conclusions.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Using AI. GeminiGemini AI-based program. AI helped to structure the text and search for sources referenced in the text of the article. The AI usage date is May 4-5, 2026, the version of the program that is used in the Googl, Gemini, and NotebookLM search engines.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: March 26, 2026 / Revised: May 6, 2026 / Accepted: June 18,2026 / Published: July 31, 2026

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