Air sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds with solid phase microextraction

J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2001 Feb;51(2):173-84. doi: 10.1080/10473289.2001.10464263.

Abstract

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) presents many advantages over conventional analytical methods by combining sampling, preconcentration, and direct transfer of the analytes into a standard gas chromatograph (GC). Since its commercial introduction in the early 1990s, SPME has been successfully applied to the sampling and analysis of environmental samples. This paper presents an overview of the current methods for air sampling and analysis with SPME using both grab and time-weighted average (TWA) modes. Methods include total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), formaldehyde, and several target volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Field sampling data obtained with these methods in indoor air were validated with conventional methods based on sorbent tubes. The advantages and challenges associated with SPME for air sampling are also discussed. SPME is accurate, fast, sensitive, versatile, and cost-efficient, and could serve as a powerful alternative to conventional methods used by the research, industrial, regulatory, and academic communities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / methods
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Organic Chemicals / analysis*
  • Specimen Handling
  • Volatilization

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Organic Chemicals