Spent oil shale (Green River Formation) from a Paraho directly fired retort was extracted with distilled/deionized water for 28 days at ambient temperature. The aqueous extract was then analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds using EPA hazardous chemicals identification technology. Organic compounds identified were predominantly carboxylic acids, although neutral and basic compounds were also observed. Quantitative analyses indicated that the identified compounds were present in parts-per-billion amounts. 15 refs., 14 figs., 2 tabs.