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MEASUREMENT OF VAPOR PHASE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AT HIGH CONCENTRATIONS
Citation:
Pleil, J. AND M. Stroupe. MEASUREMENT OF VAPOR PHASE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AT HIGH CONCENTRATIONS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-94/372 (NTIS PB95124855).
Description:
Laboratory, industrial, chemical, or other waste products may have constituents that evolve volatile organic compounds (VOCS) at very high concentrations. hese could pose human health risks during handling, storage, and disposal of the waste through inhalation, dermal exposure, or explosion. dditionally, the release of VOCs can adversely impact the tropospheric chemistry, and in the case of halogenated compounds, the stratospheric ozone chemistry as well. ery precise and accurate methods exist for measurement of VOCs at trace levels; however, these are inappropriate for the high levels in waste headspace, which often approach saturation vapor pressure. his paper presents an inlet system and analytical method for gas chromatography - mass spectrometry designed specifically for measuring VOC concentrations greater than 10 parts per million by volume in a gas matrix. he technique is shown to be effective for measuring selected common solvents including alcohols, ketones, halogenated hydrocarbons, and aromatic compounds in an air matrix in stainless steel sampling canisters. his work was performed under a Cooperative esearch nd evelopment greement between he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Graseby/Nutech Corporation.