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.

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

* 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.