A UNIQUE APPLICATION OF AN EXTRACTIVE FTIR AMBIENT AIR MONITORING-SYSTEM FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS DETECTION OF MULTIPLE-PPB-LEVEL VOCS

The design, implementation, and application of an extractive Fourier t ransform infrared (FTIR) ambient air monitoring system are reported. S imultaneous detection and accurate quantification of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be achieved in the range of sub parts per million on a continuous, near-real-time basis. Application of this sy stem at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, NM, USA, f or the detection of 1,1-dichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, methyl ene chloride, chloroform, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroet hane, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, and toluene, as well as other ambient air constituents, is described in detail. The results of some on-site validations are also presented to help exhibit the versatilit y and field ruggedness of such a system for long-term, continuous usag e.