Autosampler with sampling tubes for the gas chromatographic analysis of very volatile organic compounds (VVOC)
Source: BAM, Division Material-Microbiome Interactions
The analytical method for the detection of very volatile organic components (VVOCs) in indoor air originating from building products has been further developed at BAM. People are exposed to a variety of different chemical substances indoors, which can come from building materials, furniture, electronic devices or household chemicals, among other things. Most of them are volatile organic compounds. In recent decades, studies have shown that these substances are responsible for health complaints often referred to as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). The group of VVOCs involves very reactive components, some of which are of concern for indoor air hygiene. However, a suitable method for the reliable quantification of VVOC emissions from building products that can be widely applied is still lacking. In 2009, the Committee on Health-related Evaluation of Building Products (AgBB) decided to include relevant VVOCs in the retention range below C6 (e.g. pentane, ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol, 2-chloropropane) in the assessment procedure.
The starting point of this study was the analytical method described in the international standard ISO 16000-6 based on active sampling with sorbents, thermal desorption and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS). Basic principles for an adapted analytical method were established starting with the provision of suitable stable gas standards for calibration, through the identification of suitable chromatography columns, to the selection of suitable adsorbents for air sampling. As a result, it could be shown that the use of PLOT columns (Porous Layer Open Tubular) is well suited for VVOC analysis. The recovery rates of 60 analytes on a total of 16 adsorbents and their combinations were determined. A combination of the graphitised carbon black Carbograph 5TD 40/60 and the carbon molecular sieve Carbosieve™ SII with high recoveries for all analytes could be identified as very well suited for sampling. However, carbon molecular sieves absorb water from the air, which can affect the analysis. A suitable drying method of the multi-bed adsorbent, which resulted in complete water removal with high analyte recoveries, was successfully tested. The promising approach found will be validated in the next step and formulated into a proposal for a standard method.
Selection of gas standards, gas chromatography column and adsorbents for the measurement of very volatile organic compounds (C1–C6) in indoor air
Morgane Even, Elevtheria Juritsch, Matthias Richter, Analytica Chimica Acta 2023, Volume 1238, Article number 340561, Pages 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2022.340561
BAM Division Materials and the Environment
BAM Department Material-Microbiome Interactions