Air Sample Analysis

The objectives of this study are to demonstrate the capabilities of passive diffusive tubes to measure effectively wide arrays of VOCs, in all weather conditions, and how well the measured data from two technologies (diffusive sampling tubes and Canister methods) compare against each other. The following is a list of expected outcomes from this project:

Ascertain the relative performances of the DST air sampling method (EPA Method 325 A/B) and the Canister method (EPA Method TO-15). Quantify the comparability of the DST method (EPA Method 325 A/B) to the current reference method (Canister EPA Method TO-15) for certain VOCs of concern (e.g., 1,3-butadiene and BTEX) under different seasonal conditions. Gather information on the capability of DSTs to retain light VOC compounds of interest and compare against VOCs collected by Canister technology (VOC speciation).  Gather information on the relative performance of VOC laboratories in Canada (by analyzing duplicate and/or triplicate samples at various laboratories).