An analytical balance is a sensitive tool for a variety of experimental procedures, including the EPA's non-CFC-based chemical extraction method.

Freon, in addition to being a good refrigerant, is also a good solvent.  But freon, along with other chlorofluorocarbons, catalyzes the breakup of ozone in the upper atmosphere, so those compounds are being phased out.  That means that laboratory procedures that utilize freon should be changed.  One of those procedures is a technique for extracting relatively non-volatile hydrocarbons, vegetable oils, animal fats, waxes, soaps, greases, and related materials from wastewater.  By using an analytical balance to weigh the flasks at various stages of the process, lab technicians can accurately determine the percentage of analytes in the water.

For further information visit water.epa.gov.

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