ABSTRACT
In order to select optimal sampling techniques for a given compound or group of compounds, one must consider the important properties of the compound(s) of interest having an effect on the sampling process. Compounds which are predominantly in the gas phase at ambient temperature and pressure are generally sampled by passing the air sample through a filtration device to remove particulate material prior to capture of the gaseous components. Solid adsorbents are the media most commonly employed for sampling gas phase organics. The primary advantage of this sampling approach is the large volume of air which can be sampled relative to other techniques such as impingers or cryogenic sampling. The collection of atmospheric organics by condensation in a cryogenic trap is an attractive alternative to adsorption or impinger collection. Collection of whole air samples using evacuated glass bulbs, stainless steel canisters, or similar devices is probably the simplest sampling approach, and can be useful in many situations.
