Air analysis using tenax collection with jet-separator enrichment and ion trap mass spectrometric analysis.

A dual adsorbent trap inlet system has been developed for an ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS) to provide a rapid and sensitive system for screening of volatile organic compounds in air. The system employs three stages of concentration: preconcentration on an adsorbent Tenax trap, focusing in a cryogenic collection trap, and jet separator enrichment immediately prior to analysis by ITMS. Ten minute integrated samples are collected and analyzed immediately. The detection limit is 0. 9 parts-per-trillion by volume (pptrv) based on toluene as the analyte, and the reproducibility is 2% or better. Ambient air was analyzed for toluene on April 4, 1996 in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and concentrations ranged from 11-158 pptrv.