Air sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds with solid phase microextraction

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) presents many advantages over convention al analytical methods by combining sampling, preconcentration, and direct t ransfer of the analytes into a standard gas chromatograph (GC). Since its c ommercial introduction in the early 1990s, SPME has been successfully appli ed to the sampling and analysis of environmental samples. This paper presen ts an overview of the current methods for air sampling and analysis with SP ME using both grab and time-weighted average (TWA) modes. Methods include t otal volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), formaldehyde, and several target v olatile organic compounds (VOCs). Field sampling data obtained with these m ethods in indoor air were validated with conventional methods based on sorb ent tubes. The advantages and challenges associated with SPME for air sampl ing are also discussed. SPME is accurate, fast, sensitive, versatile, and c ost-efficient, and could serve as a powerful alternative to conventional me thods used by the research, industrial, regulatory, and academic communitie s.