A majority rely on activated charcoal for the sampling media but other sorbents such as XAD, Chromosorb, Tenax, silica gel, and OVS materials are also used. Field investigations often involve trying to determine what analytes are present at levels below the limit of detection of these techniques. With advances in technology, the workplace is constantly being assaulted with new or different compounds for which there are no analytical methods. Examples of workplaces where this technique has been used are discussed.
Compounds involved include cyclohexylmaleimide, ethynylcyclohexene, and ethynylcyclohexanol.
I. DeGraff, S. Krout, Supelco, Inc., Bellefonte, PA Air sampling for organic contaminants traditionally involves a glass solid sorbent tube in which the adsorbent is removed from the tube and solvent desorbed for a period of time before analysis. To provide convenience in sample collection and significant time savings in preparing the tube for analysis, an alternative technique has been developed. The validation consisted of a recovery study over four concentration levels using a dynamic vapor spiking technique. Verification was performed by comparison with standard glass tubes as a reference method. In addition, flow rates are occasionally increased in the field to allow for shorter sampling times.