Citation:

Cousett, T., K. Oliver, D. Whitaker, AND L. Alston. Methods development for the analysis of volatile organic compounds on Carbopack X sorbent tubes using thermal desorption and time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. National Environmental Monitoring Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, August 06 - 10, 2018.

Impact/Purpose:

This presentation centers on the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) collected on Carbopack X sorbent tubes using a thermal desorption/gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (TD/GC-TOF MS) system. A discussion of the history of Carbopack X sorbent tube usage in the NERL EMMD AQB VOC laboratory is presented along with our current research activities which include methods development for the TOF system. Data on reproducibility and method detection limits are presented along with information on manual loading of internal standards, background-corrected calibration curves, and sample re-collection. This presentation will be of value to personnel in commercial, local, state, regional and other governmental laboratories who are contemplating the choice of using a research grade laboratory instrument for routine VOC sample analysis.

Description:

The EPA NERL EMMD VOC Laboratory has recently completed methods development work for the analysis of VOCs collected on Carbopack X sorbent tubes using a TD/GC-MS TOF system for several EPA studies. Historically, routine analyses of this type have been conducted using magnetic sector quadrupole mass spectrometers as the detector with or without combined SIM/Scan capabilities. In recent years, the availability of bench scale TOF systems has made them a more practical tool for routine analysis. The acquisition of a TOF system for our laboratory has allowed us to merge our research activities with our more routine sample analyses. We now have the combined capabilities of monitoring targeted compounds with increased sensitivity while also having the ability to look at non-targeted compounds.

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