Determination of residual tetrachloroethylene in olive oil by headspace-gas chromatography.

This study describes a method for the quantitative determination of residual tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene (PCE) in olive oil by headspace-gas chromatography. The analysis of the chlorinated product is performed by electron-capture gas chromatography, using a fused silica capillary column, CP Sil 8 CB. The absolute detection limit for PCE was 1 pg. Forty samples of olive oil and 5 other commodities have been analysed. Only one sample exceeded the proposed maximum level of 1 mg/kg.