Volatile and Semi-Volatile Compounds in Air in One Analysis by Automated Thermal Desorption

Air Methods, Monitoring, and Technology
Poster Presentation

Prepared by L. Marotta, D. Scott
PerkinElmer, 710 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT, 06484, United States


Contact Information: lee.marotta@perkinelmer.com; 914-954-1779


ABSTRACT

Every year, there is an increasing need to measure both volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOC and SVOC) in air samples as impact to human health concerns continue to be an issue. In the past, this was performed by two analyses. Now it is performed by one using TO-17.

The XRO-440 thermal desorption tube was designed to accommodate the retention and the release of target compounds in the boiling point range from nC4 to nC44 which includes the air toxic list from 1,3-butadiene through benzo(g,h,i)perylene including all 16 regulated polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This will eliminate the need to use a very expensive, labor intensive method.

It is advantageous to perform this test in one analysis instead of two. Only one sample will need to be collected reducing sampling costs. Using one method, EPA Method TO-17, this enhances laboratory productivity, profitability, and safety. In addition, significantly less solvent and electricity is used, making it a “greener” analysis.

Another tube that will be presented extends the boiling point range for soil gas samples which TO-15 or summa canisters cannot recover.

Data will be presented to demonstrate both field and analytical soundness of this combined method, and the analytical method used will be discussed. Results from several site studies will be reviewed comparing several techniques further validating the one analysis approach.