GC-MS measurements of ambient levels of volatile organic compounds

A qualitative and quantitative method for measuring volatile organic compounds by pre-concentration on active charcoal followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was developed. The method was tested for the investigation of the emissions from different materials, adhesives, combustion sources or tobacco smoke. The MS was operated in the selected ion monitoring mode. The compounds of interest eluted in less than 9min. Validation of the method adopted demonstrated the ability to identify and to measure reliably the yields of benzene and other compounds: toluene, ethylbenzene, m- and p-xylene, o-xylene. The method is simple and rapid, shows good linearity, precision and accuracy for the compounds studied.