Ambient air analyses using nonspecific flame ionization and electron capture detection compared to specific detection by mass spectroscopy

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6871647

Pleil, J D; Oliver, K D; McClenny, W A

Ambient air samples from various studies were analyzed for a specific set of trace-level volatile organic compounds by using a gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID) in parallel with an electron capture detector (ECD). The samples were then reanalyzed on a second GC system equipped with a mass selective detector (MSD). GC-FID/ECD data were compared to the nominally correct GC-MSD data to determine the accuracy of the nonspecific detectors, which often do not differentiate the targeted compound from interfering compounds. Qualitative accuracy (capability for correctly identifying compounds on the basis of retention time only) and quantitative accuracy (capability for correctly measuring the concentration of an identified compound on the basis of peak area) were evaluated. Data are presented on a per-compound basis to provide the combined typical results from air samples collected in three geographic regions: Kanawha Valley, WV; Los Angeles, CA, area; and Houston, TX.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6871647
• Journal Information: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 38:8; ISSN JPCAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACCURACY
AIR POLLUTION
CALIFORNIA
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELECTRON-CAPTURE DETECTORS
FEDERAL REGION III
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION VI
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MATTER
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEASURING METHODS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RADIOMETRIC GAGES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY
TEXAS
TRACE AMOUNTS
USA
VOLATILE MATTER
WEST VIRGINIA