Advancements and Key Parameters for EPA 8260 and EPA 524.2 using GC/MS with Purge and Trap

Regulatory agencies set threshold limits for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) based on threat, toxicity, and target matrix. Most water utilities, industry and dischargers have to monitor for VOCs in drinking water, surface water and wastewater using standard methods such as EPA 8260 & EPA 524.

In the first part of this presentation, Joel Kelly from Pace Analytical will discuss the evolution of EPA method 8260. Technological advancements in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and Purge/Trap have improved chromatography, quickened run times and increased overall sample capacity, thus making sample runs easier and more efficient. These specific GC/MS improvements have allowed Pace Analytical to resolve difficult chromatography of the past with low limits of detection.

Bruce Quimby, from Agilent Technologies, will spend the latter part of the presentation discussing data achieved using a 8860/5977B GC/MS instrument coupled with a Teledyne Tekmar Lumin purge and trap concentrator and an AQUATek liquid vial autosampler for the analysis of VOCs to the requirements of US EPA method 524.2. The applicability of the method was demonstrated using real-world drinking water samples, in which several VOCs were identified and quantified at concentrations varying over the range of 0.3 to 14.1 μg/L, in many cases much lower than current EPA 524.2 MDLs.

By attending this presentation you will learn:

• About advances that have been made in GC/MS and Purge/Trap technology, allowing to run method 8260 more efficiently.
• How advances in GC/MS technologies have improved sensitivity, chromatography and quickened run times.
• Key parameters for success with the purge and trap method
• An efficient way to build both the quantitation method and VOCs library using spectral deconvolution.

Who Should Attend:

• Lab Managers
• Environmental analytical chemist
• Water quality professionals
• Drinking water providers
• Users of GC/MS
• Environmental analysts
• Environmental Laboratory Managers

Presenter: Joel Kelly (Pace Analytical)

Joel has been working in the IDEA Lab for Pace Analytical for the last two years and has fourteen years in the environmental testing industry focusing mostly on organic chemistries. Currently he evaluates new technology, develops new methods and focuses on efficiency advancement for Pace Analytical.

Presenter: Bruce Quimby, Ph.D. (Senior Applications Scientist, Agilent)

Dr Bruce Quimby is a Senior Applications Scientist in the Mass Spectrometry Division of Agilent Technologies, located in Wilmington, Delaware. He is currently working in GC/MS applications in multiple areas including environmental and food safety.