Method TO-14A

Volatile Organic Compounds (non-polar) from Canisters by GC/MS or GC/FID


This method is used for sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air.  The method was originally based on collection of whole air samples in SUMMA® passivated stainless steel canisters, but has now been generalized to other specially prepared canisters.   The VOCs are separated by gas chromatography and measured by a mass spectrometer or by multidetector techniques.  This method presents procedures for sampling into canisters to final pressures both above and below atmospheric pressure (respectively referred to as pressurized and sub-atmospheric pressure sampling).   This method is applicable to specific VOCs that have been tested and determined to be stable when stored in pressurized and sub-atmospheric pressure canisters. Numerous compounds, many of which are chlorinated VOCs, have been successfully tested for storage stability in pressurized canisters.  However, minimal documentation is currently available demonstrating stability of VOCs in sub-atmospheric pressure canisters.   This method is an update to TO-14.


(EPA 600/4-89-017)

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Method Data

Hold Times, Preservatives, Preps, Collection, Analytical & Documentation
Holding Time:   30 days from collection to analysis
Preservatives:   None
Required Preps:   Canister with the option of a flow controller; The canister must be certified clean (<0.2 ppbv of targeted VOC)
Collection Method:   TO-14A
Analytical Methodology:   GC/MS (SCAN or SIM), GC/FID/ECD with optional PID
Documentation:   TO-14A

Analyte List*

Analyte Formula CAS Number Detection Limit
Ethylbenzene
C8H10
100-41-4
0.5
 ppbv
Styrene
C8H8
100-42-5
0.5
 ppbv
Benzyl chloride
C7H7Cl
100-44-7
0.5
 ppbv
p-Xylene
C8H10
106-42-3
0.5
 ppbv
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
C6H4Cl2
106-46-7
0.5
 ppbv
1,2-Dibromoethane
C2H4Br2
106-93-4
0.5
 ppbv
1,2-Dichloroethane
C2H4Cl2
107-06-2
0.5
 ppbv
m-Xylene
C8H10
108-38-3
0.5
 ppbv
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
C9H12
108-67-8
0.5
 ppbv
Toluene
C7H8
108-88-3
0.5
 ppbv
Chlorobenzene
C6H5Cl
108-90-7
0.5
 ppbv
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
C6H3Cl3
120-82-1
0.5
 ppbv
Tetrachloroethene
C2Cl4
127-18-4
0.5
 ppbv
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
C2H2Cl2
156-59-2
0.5
 ppbv
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
C6H4Cl2
541-73-1
0.5
 ppbv
1,3-Dichloropropene
C3H4Cl2
542-75-6
0.5
 ppbv
Carbon tetrachloride
CCl4
56-23-5
0.5
 ppbv
Chloroform
CHCl3
67-66-3
0.5
 ppbv
Benzene
C6H6
71-43-2
0.5
 ppbv
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
C2H3Cl3
71-55-6
0.5
 ppbv
Bromomethane
CH3Br
74-83-9
0.5
 ppbv
Chloromethane (Methyl chloride)
CH3Cl
74-87-3
0.5
 ppbv
Chloroethane
C2H5Cl
75-00-3
0.5
 ppbv
Vinyl chloride
C2H3Cl
75-01-4
0.5
 ppbv
Methylene chloride
CH2Cl2
75-09-2
0.5
 ppbv
1,1-Dichloroethane
C2H4Cl2
75-34-3
0.5
 ppbv
1,1-Dichloroethene
C2H2Cl2
75-35-4
0.5
 ppbv
Trichlorofluoromethane
CCl3F
75-69-4
0.5
 ppbv
Dichlorodifluoromethane
CCl2F2
75-71-8
0.5
 ppbv
Trichlorotrifluoroethane
C2Cl3F3
76-13-1
0.5
 ppbv
1,2-Dichlorotetrafluoroethane
C2Cl2F4
76-14-2
0.5
 ppbv
1,2-Dichloropropane
C3H6Cl2
78-87-5
0.5
 ppbv
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
C2H3Cl3
79-00-5
0.5
 ppbv
Trichloroethene
C2HCl3
79-01-6
0.5
 ppbv
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
C2H2Cl4
79-34-5
0.5
 ppbv
Hexachlorobutadiene
C4Cl6
87-68-3
0.5
 ppbv
o-Xylene
C8H10
95-47-6
0.5
 ppbv
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
C6H4Cl2
95-50-1
0.5
 ppbv
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
C9H12
95-63-6
0.5
 ppbv

* The analytes and detection limits listed for each method represent the typical detection limits and analytes reported for that particular method. Keep in mind that analyte lists may vary from laboratory to laboratory. Detection limits may also vary from lab to lab and are dependent upon the sample size, matrix, and any interferences that may be present in the sample.