Chemistry & Lead/Metals Divisions: Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Overview
What is TCLP?
Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) is a preparation procedure covered by EPA SW-846 Test Method 1311 designed to help determine the potential for both organic and inorganic chemicals present in liquid, solid, and multiphasic wastes to leach out underground into the surrounding soil, water, or groundwater1 . The test is designed to try to recreate the conditions in which chemicals might move from the material in the landfill to the surrounding environment. Most landfill and waste haulers will require the waste profile of material to be disposed of prior to acceptance and transport. Analysis will then follow the requested method depending on the analyte of interest.
TCLP leaching time requires 18+/-2 hours and projects will only be started when the laboratory is regularly open the next day; example if received on a Friday and lab is not open on Saturday, samples may not be prepped until Monday.
Analysis turnaround will vary depending on tests requested, lab capacity, and lab hours of operation. For Lead only analysis turnaround TCLP requests for shorter turnarounds may be possible due to instrumentation.
The preparation process is determined by the composition of the material:
Liquid Waste < 0.5% dry solid material – the waste, after filtration through a 0.6 to 0.8 µm glass fiber filter, is defined as the TCLP extract1.
Soil Waste > 0.5% dry solid material – the solid material’s particle size is reduced to pass through a 9.5 mm size sieve shaker.
Mixed Liquid and Soil Waste – these will need to be separated into two distinct samples prior to preparation.
Liquid Waste < 0.5% dry solid material – the waste, after filtration through a 0.6 to 0.8 µm glass fiber filter, is defined as the TCLP extract1.
Soil Waste > 0.5% dry solid material – the solid material’s particle size is reduced to pass through a 9.5 mm size sieve shaker.
Mixed Liquid and Soil Waste – these will need to be separated into two distinct samples prior to preparation.
Sampling Size, Collection, and Shipping Requirements
| Bulk or Soil Sample Weight + Container | Soil or Liquid Sample Volume + Container | Preservative | Shipping Temperature | Shipping Container |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metals Without Mercury | 200 grams (8 oz plastic or glass jar) | 250 mL (8 ounces) glass jar | Unpreserved | None | Cooler recommended |
| Mercury | 200 grams (8 oz plastic or glass jar) | 250 mL (8 ounces) glass jar | Unpreserved | 2-6°C (35-43°F) | Cooler recommended |
| VOA | 100 grams (4 oz plastic or glass jar) | 3X 40mL (1.5 ounces) Teflon-lined glass vials, filled with zero headspace | Unpreserved | 2-6°C (35-43°F) | Cooler recommended |
| SVOA | 200 grams (8 oz plastic or glass jar) | 250 mL (8 ounces) glass jar | Unpreserved | 2-6°C (35-43°F) | Cooler recommended |
| Pesticides | 200 grams (8 oz plastic or glass jar) | 250 mL (8 ounces) glass jar | Unpreserved | 2-6°C (35-43°F) | Cooler recommended |
| Herbicides | 200 grams (8 oz plastic or glass jar) | 250 mL (8 ounces) glass jar | Unpreserved | 2-6°C (35-43°F) | Cooler recommended |
| Full TCLP (Includes all of the tests above) | 400 grams (two- 8 oz plastic or glass jars) | 2X - 250 mL (8 ounces) glass jar | Unpreserved | 2-6°C (35-43°F) | Cooler recommended |
NOTE: Any samples < 105 grams will be commented as volume less than the minimum specified in Method EPA 1311 and laboratory may reject samples below the minimum.
EMSL Product IDs
4 Oz Plastic Jar: 8714227
4 Oz Glass Jar: 8714232
8 Oz Plastic Jar: 8714228
8 Oz Glass Jar: 8714220
40 mL Teflon-Lined Glass Vial: Call
Special Samples Outside of the Method
Mixed Debris – Any sample that contains building material mixed with soil or other solid material. Material should be sorted by distinct type and then proportionately subsampled in percentages to represent the total volume of material to be disposed of. These samples will incur an additional + $100 per sample surcharge for handling.
Target piece size is either 1 x 1 inches (3 x 3 cm) or the size of a quarter
Sample volume required: 200 grams (8 ounces)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Any combination of vapor barriers, gloves, suits, or other personal protective equipment used while working on site. Material should be sorted by distinct type and then proportionately subsampled in percentages to represent the total volume of material to be disposed of. These samples will incur an additional + $100 per sample surcharge for handling. Currently, EMSL’s Orlando, FL (gloves only), Indianapolis, IN, Charlotte, NC, Kernersville, NC, and Carle Place, NY laboratories perform this analysis.
NOTE: Any respirator or component of a respirator cannot be processed by TCLP.
NOTE: Lab reserves the right to reject PPE samples due to the current pandemic for safety concerns.
Large Samples – Due to the increased handling and disposal costs the following samples will incur a + $500 per sample disposal charge:
Greater than 500 grams (16 solid ounces)
Greater than 3000 mL or 3 L (100 fluid ounces)
Greater than 10 cm (4 inches) in length
Greater than 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter
Any solid material that will require reduction prior to disposal (pipes, wood beams, filters, etc.)
NOTE: To help avoid large sample surcharges please feel free to submit pictures to the lab before submittal.
State of Origin – Certifications
NOTE: Some states do not specifically certify for the TCLP Prep Method, but they do certify for the actual test requested. Please verify with the State Regulatory Agency prior to submitting samples.
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Florida2
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas2
Louisiana2
Maine
Minnesota2
New Hampshire2
New Jersey2
New York2
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio VAP
Oklahoma2
Oregon2
Pennsylvania2
South Carolina
Texas2
Utah2
Virginia2
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
1 – https://www.epa.gov/hw-sw846/sw-846-test-method-1311-toxicity-characteristic-leaching-procedure
2 – TNI/NELAC Certification State
3 – Method FAQ: https://www.epa.gov/hw-sw846/hazardous-waste-characteristics
4 – California: https://dtsc.ca.gov/defining-hazardous-waste/
EMSL Laboratory Locations That Perform TCLP Analysis
Cinnaminson, New Jersey
(Full TCLP)
200 Route 130 North
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
800.220.3675
NJDEP, CA ELAP, & NY DOH Certified
Carle Place, New York
(Lead Only)
528 Mineola Avenue
Carle Place, NY 11514
516.997.7251
NYDOH ELAP Certified
Calgary, Alberta
(Lead Only)
2333 18TH Avenue NE, Unit 48
Calgary, AB T2E 8T6
403.879.1149
Charlotte, North Carolina
(Lead & RCRA-8 Only)
10801 Southern Loop Blvd
Pineville, NC 28134
704.525.2205
Chicago, Illinois
(Lead Only)
4140 Litt Drive
Hillside, IL 60162
773.313.0099
Huntington Beach, California
(Lead Only)
5431 Industrial Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
714.828.4999
CA ELAP Certified
Indianapolis, Indiana
(Lead & RCRA 8 Metals Only)
6340 Castleplace Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46250
317.803.2997
Kernersville, North Carolina
(Lead Only)
706 Gralin Street
Kernersville, NC 27284
336.992.1025
Orlando, Florida
(Lead Only)
3303 Parkway Center Court
Orlando, FL 32808
407.599.5887
San Leandro, California
(Lead Only)
464 McCormick Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
510.895.3675
Toronto, Ontario
(Lead Only)
2756 Slough Street
Mississauga, ON L4T 1G3
289.997.4602
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