Sampling Guide and Method


 

MEMORANDUM

 


                                                           

To:       AIR QUALITY CONSULTANTS

From:

 John Sliwinski
   

 OSB Lab
     
Re:       SW846 Sampling Guidelines and Method Limits   

Date: 

 12 March 2002

 

                                     

                                                                                                                       

 

Re:       SW846 Sampling Guidelines and Method Limits                      

 

There are two main references for sampling air and gas emissions using adsorbent materials and thermal desorption:  EPA TO (TOXIC ORGANICS) and EPA SW846.  A less known method is available from the MOE VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS MONITORING NETWORK.  EPA TO-17 is an advisory guideline method for sampling a broad range of VOCs in ambient air.  EPA SW846 methods are designed specifically for combustion source emissions for compliance purposes not characterization of process streams.

 

All of the above references provide technical information about Good Field and Laboratory Practice to yield acceptable results – this includes integration of field and laboratory procedures.  Recent observations at OSB Lab have suggested that EPA SW846 methods are not being used properly for the type and concentration of VOCs that can be collected using these procedures.

 

The attached VOCs/VOST section references provide direction to valid data.  The laboratory cannot control input but has a responsibility under certain paragraphs to judge acceptability of what has been submitted for analytical determination.  Particular attention needs to be paid to those sections discussing concentration range and chemical saturation interferences both target and non-target parameters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US EPA SW846 VOCs/VOST SECTION REFERENCES

 

METHOD

0030

TENAX/

CHARCOAL

0031

TENAX/

ANASORB 747

0040

TEDLAR

BAG

5040

5040A

ANALYSIS

(DELETED)

5041

5041A

ANALYSIS

8240

8240A

8240B

GC/MS

(DELETED

8260

8260A

8260B

GC/MS

Definition and

Application

1.1.1

30° to 100°C

1.2

-15° to 121°C

1.1, 1.5

1.2

1.1,1.2

1.2

1.1

Other VOCs

1.1.2

1.4

—

—

1.3, 1.4, 1.5

—

1.3

Method Limits

1.1.4

1.5

3.0, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4

—

—

—

1.4

Concentration

Range

1.2.2

1.6

—

—

1.6

—

 

Sensitivity

1.2.2, 4.4.2.2

1.7, 8.2.8

—

—

1.6

—

9.9, 9.10

Probe

Temperature

2.1.1

2.1, 4.1.1

4.2.1

—

—

—

—

Cleaning

3.4, 3.5, 3.6

3.1, 4.3, 6.0

6.1.1

—

—

—

—

Saturation

Concentration

—

3.2

7.7

—

3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8, 7.16.6, 7.16.7, 7.16.8

—

7.5.11

Interferences

—

—

3.0

—

3.8, 7.15.3

—

3.0

Contamination

in Tubes

3.1.1, 3.1.2,

4.4.1, 4.4.2

5.2, 7.0

—

—

3.1, 6.2, 7.18.4

—

—

Storage

—

6.5.3, 7.1.3

6.2

—

6.7

—

—

Blank

Discretion

4.4.2.5

7.1.2

—

—

7.18.4

—

—

Blanks

4.8

6.6

8.2

—

3.1, 3.2

—

—

 

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