The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted the Superfund Innovated Technology Evaluation (SITE) program to determine the presence of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in soils and sediments using screening technologies. Eichrom participated in this program using the Procept Rapid Dioxin Assay which detects dioxin compounds present in the test samples. In January 2007, the EPA published their findings relating to the use of the Procept in a paper titled "Interim Report on the Evolution and Performances of the Eichrom Technologies Procept Rapid Dioxin Assay for Soil and Sediment Samples" (EPA/540/R-07/001).

The data produced from the SITE study suggests Procept is a valid screening technique to complement the traditional GC-HRMS method. Since the work discussed in the EPA report, Eichrom has continued to modify the sample preparation focusing on reducing the variability and improving the precision of the assay. Eichrom’s latest Application Note #605: "Dioxin in Soil Method Validation" compares the latest results of the Procept Rapid Dioxin Assay Method to the traditional GC-HRMS method for soil and sediment samples.

Work continues on the Procept Rapid Dioxin Assay method. Currently, Eichrom is gearing up for their next phase of the EPA’s SW-846 validation. They are actively seeking participation for the multi-laboratory testing trials. Starting this month, the Procept Rapid Dioxin Assay will be commercially available to environmental laboratories looking to expand their dioxin screening capabilities.

For more information about the Procept Rapid Dioxin Assay:
Procept website
info@eichrom.com ATTN: Procept