VALIDATED METHODS FOR VOCs DETERMINATION BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY - MASS SPECTROMETRY

Monica Culea, O. Cozar, D, Ristoiu

“Babes-Bolyai” University, Str. M. Kogalniceanu, Nr. 1, Cluj-Napoca, 400084, Romania

Qualitative and quantitative methods for measuring volatile organic compounds by pre-concentration techniques followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis were developed. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are of concern since many are toxic and they may also be persistent in the environment. The main source in the environment is petrol, vehicle traffic and indoors, cigarette smoke. They are also present in small quantities in drinking water and food, in paints and adhesives. The methods were tested for the investigation of VOCs in drinking water or air by the emissions from different materials, adhesives, combustion sources or tobacco smoke. The MS was operated in the SIM and scan modes. The compounds of interest eluted at the column temperature of 30 oC. For the quantitative work, the method were validated and showed good linearity, precision, accuracy, LOD for the compounds studied. Validation of the method adopted demonstrated the ability to identify and to measure reliably the yields of BTEX, THM, and other VOCs, by using the proper internal standard. 

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