You are here:
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN INDOOR AIR: A SURVEY OF VARIOUS STRUCTURES
Citation:
Pleil, J., K. Oliver, AND W. McClenny. VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN INDOOR AIR: A SURVEY OF VARIOUS STRUCTURES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/D-85/100 (NTIS PB85198356).
Description:
Co-workers collected indoor air samples in their homes in SUMMA polished canisters. Upon receipt in the laboratory, the whole air samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using cryogenic sample preconcentration and subsequent capillary column chromatography. Each homeowner was asked to fill out a questionnaire concerning physical, structural and activity-related characteristics that could affect VOC concentrations. Simultaneous flame ionization and electron capture detection yielded quantitative concentration data in a range 0.1 to 10 ppbv for 19 calibration compounds: propane, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, Freon 113, chloroform, 1,2 dichloroethane, methyl chloroform, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, cis-1,3-dichloropropene, trans-1,3-dichloropropene, toluene, 1,2-dibromoethane, tetrachloroethylene, chlorobenzene, o-xylene, benzyl chloride and hexachlorobutadiene. Certain other compounds could also be identified and quantified based upon occasional analyses of appropriate standards. These data are presented in three sample groups; summer indoor samples, winter indoor samples, and combined summer and winter outdoor samples. In addition, some probable correlations between residential characteristics and the occurrence of various compounds in indoor air are discussed.