A simple method for the extraction of volatile organic compounds contained in air samples from adsorbent materials by solid phase microextraction and their analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The monitoring of air pollution requires simple, rapid and sensitive sampling and analytical techniques with minimal sample manipulation that are usable for routine analyses. In our laboratories we have developed a method for the analysis of air samples collected by adsorbent cartridges based on solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. We investigated the influence of some variables (time and temperature) using toluene as analyte (one of the most common air pollutants) and toluene-d8 on the SPME extraction, and the sensitivity (LOQ) of the method. We then tested the method on an air sample collected in an industrial area and carried out characterisation of the volatile organic compounds present.