EVALUATION OF ADSORBENTS FOR SAMPLING AND QUANTITATIVE-ANALYSIS OF MICROBIAL VOLATILES USING THERMAL DESORPTION-GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

Eight adsorbents were evaluated for sampling and quantitative analysis of microbially produced volatiles using thermal desorption-gas chromatography. The adsorbents studied were Tenax TA, Tenax GR, Chromosorb 102, Carbotrap C, Carbopack B, Anasorb 727, Anasorb 747 and Porasil C/n-octane (Durapak). The study was performed using a test atmosphere consisting of ten compounds differing in polarity and volatility: a-propanol, dimethyl disulfide, toluene, furfural, 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanone, 3-octanol, 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine, 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin. The adsorbents were tested under conditions found in ''sick buildings''-low mu g/m(3) levels and varying humidity. Tenax TA proved to have the best properties considering the amount obtained, breakthrough and standard deviation during sampling/analysis.