Any suggestions as to what if anything could cause a false positive for acetone in an industrial wastewater sample would be helpful. Situation is that environmental sampling is showing acetone. I am concerned about the use of the solvent in the plant without controls. Plant manufactures high tech filters. We have gone through everything in the processing plant, no acetone, and nothing in maintenance procedures. Any suggestions where to look for the ghost acetone source welcome as well! Split samples show same issue, so it is not the lab, and sampling equipment/bottles are free of acetone as well.

It would depend on the method of identification of "acetone". If you are using gas chromatography, depending on the column, temperatures etc, there may be many potential co-elutents. A more positive identification would probably be achieved using GC-MS or alternatively changing the column stationary phase.

Just a couple of avenues to consider, hope they help...

Could it be a breakdown / degradation product or a chemical reaction of something that you do use in the manufacturing process? Perhaps even 2 waste streams meeting?

Does the site have a historical ground contamination issue? Are these pipes above or below ground?

Are you the only source of waste water / material before the sampling point?

Do any surface water drains empty in to this process waste stream?

Do you have any lab areas or cleaning areas which may involve the use of acetone?

Does the lab retain a sample they can re-test to see if it was from a lab error / contamiation?

Des