Determination of VOC and TVOC in air using thermal desorption GC-MS - practical implications for test chamber experiments

The determination of volatile organic compounds (VOC) species and concentrations are important for the evaluation of indoor air quality. Numerous methods exist for the determination of levels of both VOC and TVOC (total volatile organic compounds). These include the use of direct-reading instruments as well as gas chromatographic techniques. The benefits and drawbacks of the various methods are well known, and none provide precise measurement of the complex VOC mixtures that constitute TVOC in indoor air. A specific approach for TVOC measurement has been proposed in Europe in ECA-report no.19 to overcome these shortcomings. On this basis a practical analytical method was developed and applied to emission test chamber studies. Special focus was required on compounds of high volatility and the preparation of calibration standards.