Table of Contents

Abstract

Gives guidance for the sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds using pumped sampling. This Standard is identical with and has been reproduced from ISO 16200-1:2001.
RECONFIRMATION NOTICE
Technical Committee CH-031 has reviewed the content of this publication and in
accordance with Standards Australia procedures for reconfirmation, it has been
determined that the publication is still valid and does not require change.
Certain documents referenced in the publication may have been amended since the
original date of publication. Users are advised to ensure that they are using the latest
versions of such documents as appropriate, unless advised otherwise in this
Reconfirmation Notice.
Approved for reconfirmation in accordance with Standards Australia procedures for
reconfirmation on 16 June 2016.
The following are represented on Technical Committee CH-031:
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists
Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia
Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand
Coal Services
National Association of Testing Authorities Australia
SafeWork NSW

Scope

This part of ISO 16200 gives general guidance for the sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air by solvent desorption/gas chromatography using pumped sampling.
This part of ISO 16200 is applicable to a wide range of VOCs, including hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, esters, glycol ethers, ketones and alcohols. A number of sorbents are recommended for the sampling of these VOCs, each sorbent having a different range of applicability. However, activated coconut shell charcoal is frequently used. Very polar compounds may require derivatization; very low boiling compounds will only be partially retained by the sorbents and can only be estimated qualitatively. Semi-volatile compounds will be fully retained by the sorbents, but may only be partially recovered.
The upper limit of the useful range is set by the sorptive capacity of the sorbent used and by the linear dynamic range of the gas chromatograph column and detector or by the sample-splitting capability of the analytical instrumentation used. The lower limit of the useful range depends on the noise level of the detector and on blank levels of analyte and/or interfering artefacts on the sorbent tubes or in the desorption solvent. Artefacts are typically subnanogram for activated charcoal, but higher levels of aromatic hydrocarbons have been noted in some batches.
The concentration range for which this part of ISO 16200 is valid for the measurement of airborne vapours of VOCs is dependent on the volume sampled. For example, for a 10-litre sample of air, the range is approximately 1 mg/m3 to 1000 mg/m 3 individual organic compound. For a 1-litre sample of air, the range is approximately 10 mg/m3 to 10 000 mg/m3 individual organic compound, and pro rata.

General Product Information

Published
Document Type	Standard
Status	Current
Publisher	Standards Australia
ProductNote	Reconfirmed 08/07/2016. This standard has been reconfirmed in Australia in 2016 and remains current in New Zealand. Reconfirmation Notice 08/07/2016
Pages
ISBN
Committee	CH-031
Supersedes	AS 2986-1987 DR 02461 CP