ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DIFFERENT SAMPLING TECHNIQUES FOR SAMPLING VOLATILE ORGANIC HYDROCARBONS IN AIR

Abstract

The sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in air are a great challenge. Air is a matrix very difficult to handle, the pollutants are usually present at very low concentration, so their detection and quantitation require precise sampling, sample preparation, analysis and data evaluation. VOC air samples are almost never sufficiently concentrated to be directly introduced into a capillary GC system via a standard gas-sampling valve. The respective advantages and limitations of these different sampling methods will be reviewed. The observations are based on the results of two sampling campaign, namely in February-May 1998, in Veszprém, where diffusive samplers were used for the determination of BTEX compounds, and July-August 1998, in Berlin (Germany), where pumped sorbent tubes, passivated canisters and on-line air stream samplers were used for the determination of 54 VOC compounds. VOC measurements contribute to improving our current understanding and will help to clarify what if any remedial action is required.