Issue 31, 2023

On the use of Carbograph 5TD as an adsorbent for sampling VVOCs: validation of an analytical method

Abstract

A standardised method for the analysis of very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs) in indoor air is still missing. This study evaluates the use of Carbograph 5TD as an adsorbent for 60 compounds (47 VVOCs + 13 VOCs) by comparing their recoveries with different spiking modes. The influence of the spiking of the tubes in dry nitrogen, humidified air or along the whole flushing duration mimicking real sampling was investigated. 49 substances (36 VVOCs from C1 to C6) had recoveries over 70% on the adsorbent in humidified air and were validated. The linearity of the calibration curves was verified for every spiking mode and the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were determined. The LOQs were lower than the existing indoor air guideline values. The robustness of the method was considered by studying the influence of the sampling volume, the sampling flow rate, the humidity level and the storage of the tubes. In general, the most volatile or polar substances were the less robust ones. The combined measurement uncertainty was calculated and lies below 35% for a vast majority of the substances. An example of an emission chamber test using polyurethane foam is shown: Carbograph 5TD performs much better than Tenax® TA for VVOCs and emissions from n-butane were quantified with combined measurement uncertainty.

Graphical abstract: On the use of Carbograph 5TD as an adsorbent for sampling VVOCs: validation of an analytical method

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 maj 2023
Accepted
12 jul 2023
First published
13 jul 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Anal. Methods, 2023,15, 3810-3821

On the use of Carbograph 5TD as an adsorbent for sampling VVOCs: validation of an analytical method

M. Even, E. Juritsch and M. Richter, Anal. Methods, 2023, 15, 3810 DOI: 10.1039/D3AY00677H

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