This paper presents the results of an experimental program of evaluation of analytical methods for “total content” (survey analysis) of residual wastes. Candidate methods were first studied and modified, and then evaluated with the analysis of a variety of residual waste specimens and determination of a broad range of organic compounds and metals. The methods depend on extraction, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) cleanup, preconcentration, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis for identification and quantitation of semivolatile organics; purge-and-trap and GC/MS for purgeable organics; and acid digestion combined with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP) determinations for metals.

The results of the study are presented in terms of observed accuracy and precision and are based on statistical analysis of over 10 000 data points.