What is TO-15 analysis?

EPA Method TO-15 is the procedure used to analyze air samples collected through canister sampling. “TO” stands for “toxic organics.” It is used to measure up to 97 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the total 189 hazardous air pollutants listed in the Clean Air Act. It is used for testing grab samples of ambient air.

What is the TO-15 list?

Method TO-15 is used for measuring volatile organic compounds collected in SUMMA canisters by Full Scan GC/MS. An aliquot of sample concentrated onto a sorbent trap or a cryotrap depending on the method.

What is EPA Method TO-15?

TO-15 is a performance-based method prepared by EPA as a guidance document for monitoring subsets of those volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are mentioned in Title III of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

How do summa canisters work?

A Summa canister is a stainless steel container that has had the internal surfaces specially passivated using a “Summa” process. This process combines an electropolishing step with a chemical deactivation step to produce a surface that is nearly chemically inert.

Is chloroform a common lab contaminant?

Chloroform is a common laboratory contaminant. The MCL for chloroform is 5 _g/L. There have been several estimated detections of semi-VOCs in this well, all of which were barely above detectable levels.

Is Naphthalene a VOC or Svoc?

Glossary: Naphthalene. Definition: A volatile organic compound (VOC) [with formula C10H8] that is naturally present in fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal, and is produced when wood or tobaccoare burned.

What is a summa process?

Our Summa Processing is an advanced form electropolishing similar to, but the reverse of, electroplating. The electropolishing process smoothes and streamlines the microscopic surface of a metal object. Stainless steel contains metallic and non-metallic inclusions, which are unavoidably included during manufacture.

What is a laboratory control sample?

Laboratory Control Samples and Sample Duplicates (LCS/LCSD) are samples prepared in the laboratory that contain analytes that are representative of the analytes of interest in client submitted samples. A laboratory control sample duplicate (LCSD) is used to demonstrate reproducibility.

What is a lab duplicate?

A lab replicate is a sample that is split into subsamples at the lab. Each subsample is then analyzed and the results compared. They are used to test the precision of the laboratory measurements. For bacteria, they are used to obtain an optimal number of bacteria colonies on filters for counting purposes.

What are sources of VOC?

Sources of VOCs

• paints, paint strippers and other solvents.
• wood preservatives.
• aerosol sprays.
• cleansers and disinfectants.
• moth repellents and air fresheners.
• stored fuels and automotive products.
• hobby supplies.
• dry-cleaned clothing.

What is an acceptable VOC level?

No standards have been set for VOCs in non industrial settings. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates formaldehyde, a specific VOC, as a carcinogen. OSHA has adopted a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of . 75 ppm, and an action level of 0.5 ppm.

What are the analytical methods to-14a and to-15?

Method TO-15 . Method TO-15 is applicable to a subset of the 97 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are from the list of 189 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) included in Title III of the Clean Air Air Amendments. By employing water management steps, this method reduces the losses of water-soluble VOCs.

What is the difference between to-14a and to-15?

Method TO-14a is a revised method for TO-14 and the target analyte list is provided in Table 1 of the method. The revision addresses technological updates and provides more explanations where necessary. The use of pressurized and sub-atmospheric pressure canisters is described for sample collection. Page 3 of 5

What’s the difference between method to 14 and method to 15?

Specifically this guidance document includes two methods using the specially-treated canister: Method TO-14a and Method TO-15. Method TO-15 is a new method available in the second edition of the compendium and Method TO-14a is a revision to Method TO-14 available from the 1987 compendium.

How is the to-15 sample collection method used?

TO-15 Sample Collection TO-15 was developed for the sampling and the analysis of VOCs in ambient air. Samples are collected in a certified passivated steel canister that is evacuated to approximately -30 inches Mercury.