The automated determination of volatile organic contaminants in ambient air and/or soil gas by gas chromatography with selective detectors

Two systems have been developed which are suitable for the determination of sub parts per billion levels of organic contaminants in ambient air and soil gas. Gas samples are passed through an adsorbent where the contaminants are trapped. Following thermal desorption the contaminants are quantitated by capillary GC employing photoionizations electrolytic conductivity, and electron capture detection. The performance of the systems is described in detail.