Volatile organic compounds in air by thermal desorption

During an environmental assessment process, and to confirm a “clean bill of health” on a property, 土壤, 水, 水蒸气必须被评估. Without vapor testing, an environmental assessment is considered incomplete. 

Detection of volatile organic compounds in air

T在这里 are two methods with which a consultant can assess vapor/air: 

基本-计算方法

The first is the “calculated method” meaning that the consultant applies a math formula provided by the Ministry of Environment to the 土壤 and/or 水 concentrations. The result is a very conservative estimate of potential vapor concentrations. This method is ideal if you have a small budget or have very basic hydrocarbon contaminants, but the calculated result has little to no comparison to actual vapor results.

Preferred - Vapor probe and thermal desorption

The second method is to install a vapor probe or establish a breathing space location and physically collect a vapor sample. This vapor sample can undergo thermal desorption to assess volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 虽然稍微贵一点, this is the preferred method for vapor analyses because the laboratory then provides a definitive concentration that can be directly compared to the numerical Contaminate Site Regulation (CSR) standard. This method is quickly becoming accepted in the environmental consulting industry as a standard practice.

Volatile organic compounds in air by thermal desorption is a testing method which determines the quantity of VOCs in air or 土壤 vapor when sampled and collected in suitable thermal desorption tubes. This testing method was originally developed to work with the British Columbia Contaminated Sites Regulation (BC CSR), but it has applications under other regulations and jurisdictions including the US EPA Method 325.

How does volatile organic compound detection work?

步骤1: Ambient air or 土壤 气体 samples are collected by introducing air into a multi-bed thermal desorption (TD) tube using a calibrated sampling pump. Samples are collected at a fixed pump flow rate (i.e., 50 mL/min) for a pre-determined duration.

步骤2: 一旦回到实验室, thermal desorption tubes are heated to desorb the target analytes which are then trapped on cooled sorbent packed trap.

步骤3: Once the 气体 chromatograph (GC) is at the appropriate temperatures and pressures, the trap is rapidly heated to desorb the target analytes onto this analytical column.

步骤4: Analytes are separated by a capillary column and detected by mass spectrometry detector (MS) and flame ionization detector (FID).

Results can be reported in either μg/sample or μg/m3 units for easy cross-referencing with the BC CSR enabling fast and confident identification of guideline exceedances. Several analyte packages are available ranging from a comprehensive analyte suite to site-specific potential contaminant of concern (PCOC) analyte groups. 

The results can be used to ensure that VOCs do not exceed the regulated limits designed to protect our families, 我们的环境, 还有我们的工人.

我们的设备

萨里的im体育APP实验室, BC配备高端, state-of-the-art equipment to produce the highest quality data. The use of thermal desorption instead of solvent desorption allows the collected compounds to be transferred directly to the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) with little or no dilution, t在这里by increasing the sensitivity of the analysis. We also have the capability of recollecting sample after analysis to allow for re泥炭ed analysis or dilutions.

为什么需要检测挥发性有机化合物

According to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy of British Columbia, “it is the responsibility of the site owner or operator to retain a qualified professional with demonstrable experience, as required by Section 63 of the Contaminated Sites Regulation to ensure that vapor is properly characterized and, 如果有必要的话, remediated in accordance with Ministry protocols, 程序, 和指导.阅读完整的文档 在这里.

有关我们的更多信息 挥发性有机化合物测试服务, or to speak with one of our experts, im体育APP 今天.