Chemical Fact File®

for Environmental Sampling

Volatile Organic Compounds

in Ambient or Indoor Air — EPA TO-17 and IP-1B
Applicable Method(s):
• U.S. EPA Method TO-17 (1997) and SKC Update (2005)
• U.S. EPA Method IP-1B (1989)

Method Summary:
Two methods are described for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient or indoor air. The first method utilizes a
solid adsorbent tube and a sampling pump for sample collection followed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography (GC) analysis. The
second method also uses a solid adsorbent for sample collection. In the second method, however, VOCs diffuse onto sorbent inside a passive
(diffusive) sampler. The sorbent is transferred to a thermal desorption tube for GC analysis.

Sampling Apparatus Listing for Active Sampling Active Method Parameters:

Method (SKC TO-17 Update, Appendix A):
1. An air sampling pump capable of sampling with two tubes in
parallel at different flow rates, such as:
• SKC AirChek® XR5000 Series Sampler with Constant
Pressure Controller Cat. No. 224-26-CPC and Dual Low Flow
Holder Cat. No. 224-26-02
Flow Rate
• Two tubes with independent flow control run in parallel to
achieve sample volumes of 1 and 4 liters. Typical flow rates
include:
• 16.7 ml/min to collect 1 L of air in 1 hour
• 66.7 ml/min to collect 4 L of air in 1 hour

• SKC AirChek 2000 Sampler with Constant Pressure Controller
Cat. No. 224-26-CPC and Dual Low Flow Holder Cat. No.
224-26-02
• SKC AirChek 52 Sampler with Constant Pressure Controller
Cat. No. 224-26-CPC and Dual Low Flow Holder Cat. No.
224-26-02
• SKC Universal Sampler with Dual Low Flow Holder Cat. No.
224-26-02
2. An air flow calibrator, such as:
• Defender Primary Standard Calibrator Cat. No. 717 Series
3. Adsorbent Tubes
• Glass or stainless steel tubes of various lengths and outer
diameters (OD) with the central portion packed with > 200 mg
of solid adsorbent material(s). Tubes should be individually
numbered and show the direction of flow. See SKC Update
to EPA TO-17, Appendix A for a listing of tubes.
Sampling Time
• 1 hour
Limits of Detection
In general, Method TO-17 reports detection limits of sub-parts-per trillion
(sub-ppt) for halogenated species and the freons using an electron
capture detector (ECD) and sub-ppb for other VOCs in one-liter air
samples using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer operated
in the full SCAN mode.
Sampler Capacity
Capacity varies by compound. EPA TO-17, Appendix 1 provides a
list of safe sample volumes for target compounds.
Sample Storage
Sample tubes must be used within 30 days after conditioning with
heat and an inert gas. Tubes should be stored at <4 C in an organic
solvent-free environment. Analysis should occur within 30 days of
sample collection.
Sample Analysis
Analytes are desorbed from the sorbent by backflushing the tubes
with heat and an inert gas. The VOCs thermally desorbed from the
sorbent are analyzed by GC. Typically, this process leaves the sorbent
clean and ready for reuse.

See reverse for passive method.

Publication 1689 Rev 1010

SKC Inc. 724-941-9701 SKC South 434-352-7149 SKC Gulf Coast 281-859-8050 SKC West 714-992-2780
www.skcinc.com
 Volatile Organic Compounds
in Ambient or Indoor Air — EPA TO-17 and IP-1B

Sampling Apparatus Listing for Passive Sampling Limits of Detection

• 8-hour sample-Less than 30 ppt
Method (SKC TO-17 Update, Appendix B):
1. Passive (diffusive) sampler consisting of solid adsorbent material
Sampler Background
suitable for collecting the target compound placed in a housing
• SKC 590 Series sorbent vials contain less than 20 ng of
with inlet holes that allow for controlled diffusion and collection of
background VOC.
VOCs.
• SKC Ultra II Sampler (Cat. No. 590-259) that contains an Sample Storage
internal funnel to facilitate sorbent transfer between passive Sorbent must be used within 30 days after conditioning with heat
sampler and sorbent vial. and an inert gas. Sorbent should be stored at <4 C in an organic
solvent-free environment. Analysis should occur within 21 days of
• SKC Sorbent Vials filled with purged sorbent suitable for sample collection.
collection and thermal desorption of target compounds
(Cat. Nos. 590-260 through 262)
Sample Analysis
Sorbent is transferred from the vial to a thermal desorption tube
Passive Method Parameters: (3.5-inch length and 0.25-inch OD) using a transfer funnel (Cat.
Sampling (Uptake) Rate No. 590-264). The tube is sealed until analysis. Analytes are desorbed
• Varies by compound from the sorbent by backflushing the tubes with heat and an inert
gas. The VOCs thermally desorbed from the sorbent are analyzed
Sampling Time by GC. Typically, this process leaves the sorbent clean and ready
• 8 hours for reuse.

Copyright 2005 - 2010

Notice: This publication is intended for general information only and should not be used as a substitute for reviewing applicable government regulations, equipment operating instructions, or legal standards. The
information contained in this document should not be construed as legal advice or opinion nor as a final authority on legal or regulatory procedures.

Publication 1689 Rev 1010

SKC Inc. 724-941-9701 SKC South 434-352-7149 SKC Gulf Coast 281-859-8050 SKC West 714-992-2780
www.skcinc.com