Background concentrations of individual and total volatile organic compounds in residential indoor air of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

During a monitoring campaign concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in indoor air of 79 dwellings where occupants had not complained about health problems or unpleasant odour. Parameters monitored were the individual concentration of 68 VOCs and the total concentration of all VOCs inside the room. VOCs adsorbed by Tenax TA were then analysed by means of thermal desorption, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The analytical procedure and quantification was done according to the recommendation of the ECA-IAQ Working Group 13 which gave a definition of the total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration. Using this recommendation TVOC-concentrations ranged between 33 and 1600 microg m(-3) with a median of 289 microg m(-3). Compounds found in every sample and with the highest concentrations were 2-propanol, alpha-pinene and toluene. Save for a few samples, all concentrations measured have been a factor 2 to 10 lower, compared to data from similar studies. Only a few terpenes and aldehydes were found exceeding published reference data or odour threshold concentrations. However, it has been found that sampling and analysing methods do have a considerable impact on the results, making direct comparisons of studies somewhat questionable. 47% of all samples revealed concentrations exceeding the threshold value of 300 microg TVOC m(-3) set by the German Federal Environmental Agency as a target for indoor air quality. Using the TVOC concentration as defined in the ECA-IAQ methodology is instrumental in assessing exposure to VOCs and identifying sources of VOCs. The background concentrations determined in this study can be used to discuss and interpret target values for individual and total volatile organic compounds in indoor air.     

Performance optimization of a membrane assisted passive sampler for monitoring of ionizable organic compounds in water

A thin-walled silicone rubber hollow fibre membrane has been developed as a passive sampler. The inside of the tube is filled with an aqueous solution at an appropriate pH. The tube is sealed at both ends and then immersed in a water sample. In order for the ionizable permeating compounds to be trapped in the aqueous receiving phase, the pH is adjusted such that the compounds are ionized and trapped. The major advantages are its simplicity, low cost and high selectivity, since only ionizable organic compounds are trapped. Additionally, the sampler uses no organic solvent. By adjusting the pH of the acceptor phase, it is possible to control the extraction process and whether the sampler is used in the kinetic or equilibrium regime. Since it is very selective, no further clean-up of the extract is required. The membrane assisted passive sampler has been tested for extraction of chlorophenols under laboratory conditions. The extraction process was found to be linear over a 72 h sampling period. Selectivity of the passive sampler in river water was demonstrated and the extraction process was independent of sample concentration, even at lower concentration levels of analytes. However, the sample matrix in some river water samples led to incomplete trapping, thereby reducing the amount trapped in the acceptor phase. Detection limits (three times signal to noise ratio) were dependant on sample matrix and type of detection system and ranged from 0.05 microg L(-1) to about 1 microg L(-1) with a UV photodiode detector in water samples from one river and 1.0 microg L(-1) to 20 microg L(-1) in another but with an ordinary UV detector. The enrichment factors in river water were 28 for 2-chlorophenol and 44 for 2,4-dichlorophenol over a 72 h sampling period. 4-chlorophenol was poorly extracted and its enrichment factor was 3.     

吹扫捕集-气相色谱/质谱联用法测定地表水中氯丁二烯

采用吹扫捕集-气相色谱/质谱联用法测定地表水中氯丁二烯。当进样体积为20 mL时,方法在0.100μg/L~50.0μg/L范围内线性良好,检出限为0.05μg/L,标准溶液平行测定的RSD≤3.7%,地表水样加标回收率为91.0%~101%,方法可用于地表水中卤代烃、苯系物等其他21种挥发性有机物的同时测定。     

GC/FTIR-FID测定石化废水中挥发性有机物

所述石化废水中挥发性有机物分析方法 ,以 GC分离 ,FTIR定性 ,FID定量。水样前处理采用大吹脱体积 ,两级捕集的吹脱捕集技术。为解决剖析分析无标样定量问题 ,成功地实现了 GC/FTIR-FID匹配联机 ,使得未知组分定性定量一次完成。方法变异系数低于 5% ,回收率高于 90 % ,最低检出浓度可达 0 .0 0 5mg/L     

Investigation and assessment of volatile organic compounds in water sources in China

456 water samples collected from 152 water sources in 2006 were analyzed for 21 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Concentrations of 21 VOCs ranged from below method detection limits of the laboratory to 7.65 ??g/L (toluene), but seldom exceeded the concentration limits set in the National Drinking Water Quality Standards (GB5749-2006) or the National Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water (GB3838-2002) of China. Of the 21 individual VOCs analyzed, 11 VOCs were detected in at least one sample at or above 1.0 ??g/L; 6.6% of the water samples had a detection of at least one VOC at or above 1.0 ??g/L, and 2.6% had a detection of at least two VOCs at or above 1.0 ??g/L. Based on the statistical data of detection frequencies above the method detection limits, 75% of the samples detected at least one VOC, and 65% of the samples detected at least two VOCs. Chloroform, toluene, and 1,2-dichloroethene were the three most frequently detected VOCs, with detection frequencies of 76.97%, 68.42%, and 44.08%, respectively. Volatile halogenated hydrocarbons and gasoline components were the two most frequently detected VOC groups.     

固定污染源废气监测用挥发性卤代烃标准气体制备不确定度研究

针对固定污染源挥发性卤代烃污染物的排放监测需求,采用称量法制备固定污染源废气监测用挥发性卤代烃标准气体(各组分具有浓度差异),并开展制备不确定度评定研究。通过分析原料试剂纯度、液态/气态组分称量、混合液配比、摩尔质量、气体残留等因素和环节引入的不确定度,确立标准气体制备不确定度评定流程。最终,确定固定污染源废气监测用挥发性卤代烃标准气体制备过程引入的相对扩展不确定度(k=2)小于1%。液态/气态组分称量和上一级中间气浓度引入的不确定度对特性量值不确定度的贡献较大,原料试剂纯度对不确定度的影响较小,摩尔质量和气体残留对不确定度的影响可忽略。     

Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in sediments using in situ SPME sampling

A new method of determining the composition of sediment/soil gases and their volatile organic compound (VOC) content is described. VOCs were collected in situ from intertidal sediments in the Menai Strait and surrounding areas. The sampling was performed using a portable sampler comprising a funnel coupled to a SPME fibre. Gases were extracted from the sediments using a small vacuum pump pulling 100 mL min(-1) at atmospheric pressure. Sixty one different compounds were detected in the samples, and their fluxes and concentrations were determined. The compounds were classified into groups: halogenated, sulfur containing compounds, aldehydes, BTEXs (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene) and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Results of principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the chemical composition of extracted gas was influenced primarily by sediment type. Muddy anoxic sediments were dominated by halogenated and sulfur containing compounds and sandy sediments had more aldehydes and BTEXs.     

微波消解石墨炉原子吸收法测定工业废气中铍及其化合物

采用玻璃纤维滤筒采集工业废气中铍及其化合物，硝酸-氢氟酸混酸体系微波消解滤筒、硝酸镁一硝酸混合液作为基体改进剂，石墨炉原子吸收法测定铍。本方法前处理操作过程简单、省时、酸用量少、环境污染小，方法的灵敏度和准确度都有很大的提高。当采样体积为30L，工业废气中铍的最低检出质量浓度为1×10μmg／m^3。     

对TH_PKU-300B挥发性有机物快速在线监测系统的改进

针对现有TH_PKU-300B挥发性有机机物快速在线监测系统在测定含氧挥发性有机化合物(OVOCs)、含氮挥发性有机物(NVOCs)和高沸点挥发性有机物时存在灵敏度低、精密度差、线性响应较差、记忆效应明显等不足,根据其原理,对其GC-MS通道的部分气路进行改进。通过实验对比分析,证明改进后的仪器系统响应更加灵敏、线性拟合度更高、精密度及解析效率均显著提高,同时检出限也由改进前的体积分数0.1×10~(-9)~1.0×10~(-9)降低至0.02×10~(-9)~0.08×10~(-9),并解决了记忆效应问题。改进后的系统在OVOCs、NVOCs和高沸点挥发性有机物测定方面要优于原系统。     

Development and comparison of methods using MS scan and selective ion monitoring modes for a wide range of airborne VOCs

Adsorbent sampling with analysis by thermal desorption, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS) offers many advantages for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and thus is increasingly used in many applications. For environmental samples and other complex mixtures, the MS detector typically is operated in the scan mode to aid identification of co-eluting compounds. However, scan mode does not achieve the optimal sensitivity, thus compounds occurring at low concentrations may not be detected. This paper develops and evaluates the application of a more sensitive TD/GC/MS method using selective ion monitoring (SIM) that is applicable to VOC mixtures found in ambient and indoor air. Based on toxicity and prevalence, 94 VOCs (including terpenes, aromatic, halogenated and aliphatic compounds) were selected as target compounds. Two analytical methods were developed: a conventional full scan method for ions from 29 to 270 m/z; and a SIM method using 16 time windows and different ions selected for the compounds in each window. Both methods used the same Tenax GR adsorbent sampling tubes, TD and GC parameters, and target and qualifier ions. Laboratory tests determined calibrations, method detection limits (MDLs), precisions, recoveries and storage stability. Field tests compared scan and SIM mode analyses for duplicate samples of indoor air in 51 houses and outdoor air at 41 sites. Statistical analyses included the development of error/precision models. The laboratory tests showed that most compounds demonstrated excellent precision (<10% for concentrations exceeding approximately 0.5 microg m(-3)), good linearity, near identical calibrations for scan and SIM modes, a wide dynamic range (up to 1500 microg m(-3)), and negligible storage losses after 1 month (7 compounds showed moderate losses). SIM mode MDLs ranged from 0.004 to 0.27 microg m(-3), representing a modest (1.1 to 22-fold) improvement compared to scan mode. However, in field tests the SIM method detected significantly more compounds (e.g., styrene and chloroform). Error models fit most compounds and allow quantification of errors at selected percentiles. Overall, while the new SIM method is somewhat time-consuming to develop, it offers greater sensitivity and maintains the high selectivity of traditional scan methods.     

Development of a solid phase microextraction (SPME) method for the sampling of VOC traces in indoor air

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was studied for the measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air. An adsorptive PDMS/Carboxen fibre was used and an analytical methodology was developed in order to overcome competitive adsorption. Kinetics and adsorption isotherms were investigated for different sample volumes and model compounds. In order to evaluate competitive adsorption on the fibre, these compounds were studied alone and in mixture. From the results obtained, the operating conditions allowing co-adsorption of the target compounds were determined: the air sample is enclosed in a 250 mL glass bulb where the SPME fibre is exposed until adsorption equilibrium. This procedure was combined with GC/MS analysis for the identification and quantification of VOCs in indoor air. The performances were determined by using a standard gas containing 10 VOCs representative of indoor environments (acetaldehyde, acetone, BTX, alpha-pinene, trichloroethylene, alkanes). The detection limits were determined in single ion monitoring mode and for a signal to noise ratio of 3. Except acetaldehyde (6 microg m(-3)), they are all below 0.5 microg m(-3). Calibration curves are linear up to 10 micromol m(-3) for all the compounds with good correlation coefficients (above 0.99). The reproducibility ranges from 6 to 12% according to the compound. The methodology was then applied to the comparison of the VOCs content in classrooms of two different schools.     

High Resolution GC - MS Analysis of VOCs in Wastewater and Sludge

High resolution gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been widely used in the field of environmental sample analysis for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (Gryder-Boutet, et al., 1988). Such a technique was applied to the analysis of VOCs at a local municipal wastewater treatment plant. The combination of purge and trap sample preparation and thermal desorption with cryofocusing technology, allows for the detection of a wide range of volatiles in wastewater and sludge samples. Results show that a large variety of organics present in samples are aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Their concentrations are in part per billion levels between 10 to 150 g/L. Others identified using this method are chlorinated hydrocarbons, sulfides and organic acids. By comparing the chromatograms of different wastewater and sludge samples collected from various treatment process units, it can be seen that most volatiles were removed or degraded after the aeration or digestion process. Information that provides an insight to the measurement of organic compounds in sludges is also discussed in this paper.     

南京市环境空气挥发性有机物监测方法比对研究

2018年9月20—29日,开展了南京市环境空气非甲烷烃(PAMS)原清单中57种挥发性有机物的手工和在线比对监测,监测项目主要包括碳氢化合物、卤代烃和含氧挥发性有机物。通过对VOCs 3 h均值、日均值和主要污染物指标等进行比对,分析在线监测数据与手工监测数据的相关性。测试结果表明,两种方法得到的3 h均值的差异度(1.43)和相关系数(0.897),日均值的差异度(2.16)和相关系数(0.946),呈现出差异度不显著、高度线性相关的特征。同时,进一步分析了监测数据产生偏离的原因,建议加强环境空气手工监测的质控管理,强化在线监测设备的运维管理,推进环境空气挥发性有机物监测的合理、有序发展。     

突发性水环境应急监测中快速定性未知有机污染物及案例分析

近年来我国水环境突发性污染事故呈逐年上升趋势,但目前还没有形成一套规范和完整的应急监测体系。结合3个具体案例,介绍了一套操作性、针对性强的突发性水环境应急监测工作方法。提出,在检测未知挥发性有机物时,首先采用便携式气相色谱-质谱仪对污染物进行初筛,再用台式气相色谱-质谱联用仪做准确定性;在检测未知半挥发性有机物时,主要采用液液萃取法进行前处理,采用台式气相色谱-质谱联用仪对污染物定性。该方法能够快速、高效地鉴定出样品中未知有机污染物的种类,可为今后类似的突发性水环境污染事故提供参考。     

Occupational exposure to fluorinated hydrocarbons during refrigeration repair work

This study describes refrigeration repair workers' occupational exposures to halogenated refrigerants, focusing on difluorochloromethane (HCFC 22), tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134a) and a mixture of tri-, tetra- and pentafluoroethane (R404A) in 30 work operations. Unlike earlier reported studies, the present study includes working procedures involving welding in order to measure possible occupational exposure to decomposition products. The measurements included hydrogen fluoride (HF), hydrogen chloride (HCl), phosgene (COCl2) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). The exposures were assessed during work operations on small-scale cooling installations like refrigerators and freezers. The repair workers' occupational exposures to refrigerants were moderate, and the major part of the exposures were associated with specific working procedures lasting for relatively short periods of time (<20 min). During these exposure events the concentrations were occasionally high (up to 42434 mg m(-3)). Although welding operations lasted only for short periods of time, HF was detected in 9 out of 15 samples when HCFC 22, HFC 134a or R404A had been used. Hydrogen chloride was detected in 3 out of 5 samples in air polluted with HCFC 22. Phosgene was not detected. A large number of VOCs in various concentrations were found during welding. Except for the applied refrigerants, halogenated compounds were only found in one sample.     

On-line solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry to quantify pharmaceuticals, pesticides and some metabolites in wastewaters, drinking, and surface waters

A simple on-line method was developed for the analysis of pharmaceuticals, pesticides and some metabolites in drinking, surface and wastewater samples. The technique is based on the use of on-line solid-phase extraction combined with liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry with positive electrospray ionization (LC-ESI(PI)-MS/MS). The injection of only 1 mL of filtered water sample is used with a total analysis time of 20 min, including the period required to flush the SPE cartridge with organic solvent and reconditioning the LC column. Method detection limits were in the range of 2 to 24 ng L(-1) for the compounds of interest, with recoveries from 87 to 110% in surface as well as wastewater samples. Matrix effects were observed for some compounds without exceeding more than 25%. All results displayed a good degree of reproducibility, with relative standard deviations (RSD) of less than 12% for all compounds. Moreover, at least 200 samples were analyzed without altering the performance of the pre-concentration column. This method was preferred over traditional off-line procedures because it minimizes tedious sample preparation, increases productivity and sample throughput. The analysis of various water and wastewater samples showed that caffeine, carbamazepine and atrazine could be detected in all the samples analysed and the selected compounds are always present in at least one of the sample types.     

长江饮用水源地18种挥发性有机物的自动监测应用研究

采用全自动监测系统测定长江饮用水源地中18种挥发性有机物，通过动态吹扫捕集气相色谱法快速分析水中的挥发性有机物（VOCs），18种有机物的方法检出限为0．07～0．50μg／L，在0～20μg／L范围内线性良好，混合标准溶液平行测定的 RSD＜10％，饮用水样品的加标回收率为72．1％～119．4％。同时，探索了4种监测数据质量控制及质量保证的方法，建立了数据评价体系。     

VOCs在线监测系统与SUMMA罐采样-气质联用法的比对分析

将挥发性有机污染物在线监测系统与实验室内SUMMA罐采样气质联用法(GC-MS)的挥发性有机物分析进行了标准气体和实际空气样品的分析比对,并对偏差原因作分析,提出在线监测系统的维护建议。结果表明,挥发性有机物在线监测系统的监测结果与实验室方法有一定的可比性,可用于大气中挥发性有机污染物的在线监测。     

环境空气VOCs在线监测中标准气体的比对研究

环境空气中挥发性有机物(VOCs)的在线监测技术近年来受到普遍关注。相对于传统的离线手工监测,在线监测能够解决监测数据时空代表性不足的问题,同时更好地满足环境质量连续监测和研究的需要。现有环境空气常规气体在线监测技术规范对量值溯源有较高的要求,其中标准气体的溯源和比对是质量控制和质量保证的根本。通过构建上海市环境空气VOCs在线监测的标准气体实验室比对测试流程,提出了标准气体比对结果的评价指标及方法,以确保在线监测数据的准确性和可比性。结果显示,6瓶臭氧前体混合物标准气体中,90%以上物种的测定结果的相对偏差在±10%以内,个别物种超出范围,说明定期开展标准气体比对对于VOCs在线监测的质控和质保具有重要意义。     

土壤中挥发性有机污染物现场快速监测技术应用进展

在总结我国突发性环境事故发生现状的基础上,提出了我国环境现场快速监测工作缺少规范化管理,以及标准监测技术方法不完善等问题。探讨了土壤中挥发性有机污染物快速监测技术的研究进展,重点讨论了检测管,手持式气体检测器,便携式气相色谱(配置光离子化检测器、氢火焰离子化检测器或串/并联检测器)及便携式气相色谱-质谱等技术在快速检测土壤中挥发性有机污染物方面的性能特点与应用情况,并对我国建立土壤中挥发性有机污染物现场快速监测标准方法提出了建议。