PID-based estimation of the concentration of aromatic and chlorinated VOCsin soil

A rapid method for estimating the total concentration of aromatic and chlor inated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil with a hand-held photoioni zation detector (PID) was developed to assist with recently adopted protoco ls for sample collection and handling. The results from sample screening ca n be used to rank the total concentration of VOCs or to answer a simple yes or no question with regard to a single value. Coupling a rapid method for estimating the total VOC concentration with sample collection and preparati on procedures that limit substrate dissaggregation and exposure complements efforts to achieve site representative estimates for vadose zone contamina tion and efficient laboratory analyses. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.