Analysing VOCs and SVOCs: LGC Standards’ solutions for cleaner air
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are everywhere—from that new car smell to the dizzying fumes of wet paint and the distinctive chemical scent of a factory-fresh mattress. Infused into many aspects of modern life, the risks these gases pose to human health are manifold. For this reason, concerns over VOCs have rocked companies, driven research programmes, and inspired a wave of innovative countermeasures.
The call for cleaner air has resonated across various sectors, from parents to government agencies. This raises several important questions: What exactly are VOCs and SVOCs? How do they threaten human health and the environment? What regulations have been implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce their risks? Moreover, what innovative approaches does LGC Standards propose to ease the sampling process and optimize equipment needs?
Hold Your Breath: The Invisible Threat of VOCs and SVOCs
Defining the key players in this article is to outline their fundamental properties. VOCs are organic compounds with a saturation pressure exceeding 10-2 kPa at 25 °C. Semi-VOCs (SVOCs) typically exhibit lower saturation pressures ranging from 10-2 to 10-8 kPa. As a result, at lower temperatures, VOCs tend to undergo a gas-phase transition, whereas SVOCs tend to remain in their liquid or solid states. 1
Despite a plethora of compounds, including carbon dioxide and metallic carbides, being typically omitted from the above definition, the array of known VOCs and SVOCs is still extensive. Consequently, it is hardly surprising that these compounds are omnipresent, with a significant number originating from human-made chemicals like refrigerants, paints, and pharmaceuticals. 2
Among the various VOCs and SVOCs, the EPA has identified numerous compounds hazardous to individuals and the environment. Depending on the nature and concentration of these specific compounds, their health impacts can range from short-term to long-term, often manifesting in indoor environments.2 Several VOCs have been linked with eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, and alarmingly, organ damage and cancer. 3
Moving Upwind: EPA Methods for Safer Air
To help safeguard human health and the environment, the EPA has released a series of ‘methods,’ i.e., standardized analytical procedures, for the identification and quantification of various substances in environmental samples. Below, we highlight several key EPA methods pertaining to VOCs and SVOCs.
Last revised in 2018, Method 8260D is a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) protocol for the identification and quantification of VOCs occurring in a variety of environmental matrices. Particularly useful for the analysis of hazardous waste samples, Method 8260D is commonly employed in environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance activities. It allows for the detection of a broad range of VOCs, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), as well as a multitude of other organic compounds that may be of concern in environmental assessments. 4
Supporting Method 8260D, Method 5035 describes a closed-system purge-and-trap process for the analysis of VOCs. Designed primarily for samples containing low levels of VOCs, it can also be used for samples with high concentrations by using the aqueous purge-and-trap procedure outlined in Method 5030. 5
For the detection and quantification of SVOCs in a variety of environmental matrices, the EPA created Method 8270E. Similar to Method 8260D, Method 8270E is widely used in environmental monitoring and assessment to identify and measure specific organic compounds that may be of concern. 6
By providing standardized protocols and reliable analytical techniques, EPA Methods 8260D, 5035A, and 8270E play a crucial role in the protection of human health and the environment, as well as contribute to the development of sustainable environmental management practices
Taking the Air Abroad: International VOC Regulations
Beyond the United States, many countries around the world have their own regulations and guidelines in place to manage and control VOCs.
In the EU, the ECHA Directive 2004/42/CE aims to limit the emissions of VOCs from certain paints, varnishes, and vehicle refinishing products. By enforcing these limits and requirements, the directive promotes the use of more environmentally friendly products and encourages the development of practices that reduce VOC emissions. 7
Similarly, the Chinese government has recognized the importance of controlling VOCs, which are contributors to the deterioration of overall air quality. For example, regulation HJ 642-2013 covers the methods for determining VOCs in soil and sediment using headspace-GC/MS, and GB/T 11890-1989 details how to sample and analyze VOCs in industrial wastewater and surface water by GC. 8,9
Lessons in Volatility: Consequences of Rule Violations
Failing to comply with EPA regulations can lead to serious repercussions. With the authority to pursue monetary fines or court orders for contravention of its regulations, the EPA can also enforce actions against a host of parties. 10
Case in point, after being found guilty of violating air pollution limits, the Mississippi-based supplier of wood pellets, Amite, was fined $2.5 million. Imposed by the Mississippi Department for Environmental Quality, the breach related to excessive levels of VOCs at the facility. 11
Science for a Safer World: Solutions and Reference Materials by LGC Standards
As a leading global life science tools company, LGC Standards offers high-quality materials and tools that simplify the complexity of sampling, aiding in accurate environmental analysis and supporting the implementation of EPA methods.
For those testing for VOCs and SVOCs using EPA Methods 8260D and 8270E, LGC Standards provide a range of ready-made mixture reference materials. Offering over 400 products found within the EPA methods, these include calibration, internal standard, and surrogate standard mixtures, all accredited to ISO 17034. This convenient selection minimizes the need for complicated method development, combining multiple components, or running several analyses and ensures that you can perform analyses and audits safely and efficiently.
Setting LGC Standards apart in this industry, our surrogate standard for 8270E changes colour in response to pH. This allows independent visual confirmation to support your analysis and instills confidence in your results
Moreover, our specialized sampling kits are tailor-made to meet the requirements of EPA methods while also helping to serve international VOC regulations, such as those in the EU. For example, the EPA 5035 sampling kit is designed to support soil sampling for Method 8260. Incorporating a pre-measured enclosed sampling system that streamlines sample collection and prevents the loss of VOCs, customers are guaranteed timely results representative of the sample so that they can take the appropriate response measures.
LGC is dedicated to supporting customers in solving complex real-world analysis problems, from troubleshooting issues during sample collection to assisting with loss of volatiles and evolving regulations. We remain committed to delivering innovative solutions through the power of science to bring about a safer world.
References and Further Reading
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