Determination of Gaseous Formic and Acetic Acids by a Needle-Type Extraction Device coupled to a Gas Chromatography-Barrier Discharge Ionization Detector

Gaseous formic acid (FA) and acetic acid (AA) were concentrated by a needle-type extraction device, and the extracted analytes were determined using a gas chromatography-barrier discharge ionization detector. An activated carbon particle showed good extraction/desorption performance for FA and AA. The limit of quantification for FA and AA was 900 and 180 ng L−1 at sample volumes of 100 mL, and 150 and 30 ng L−1 at a sample volume of 600 mL, respectively. The storage performance of the analytes in the extraction needle was quantitatively evaluated at different temperatures, and the applicability of the proposed method to determine FA and AA in air samples was demonstrated.