In this work, a method for measuring polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in contaminated solid waste
was investigated. This waste includes paper that is used in electric transformers to insulate electric
components. The PCBs in paper sample were extracted by supercritical fluid extraction and analyzed by
gas chromatography-electron capture detection. The recoveries with this method (84–101%) were much
higher than those with conventional water extraction (0.08–14%), and were comparable to those with
conventional organic solvent extraction. Limit of detection was 0.0074 mg kg−1 and measurable up to
2.5 mg kg−1 for 0.5 g of paper sample. Data for real insulation paper by the proposed method agreed well
with those by the conventional organic solvent extraction. Extraction from wood and concrete was also
investigated and good performance was obtained as well as for paper samples. The supercritical fluid
extraction is simpler, faster, and greener than conventional organic solvent extraction.