48 Health & Safety
extracted, concentrated and analysed. The process was repeated on six distinct occasions using new samples and solutions on each occasion. The results are presented in Figure 3.
The results generally show excellent recovery and good standard deviation figures. Due to a contamination from XAD2 resin, for two compounds (naphthalene and acenaphtene) limits of quantification have been validated at 50ng instead of 10ng.
Conclusions
The new method of sample preparation was found to be superior to the existing methods. Recoveries are seemingly a little lower for the 10ng studies because this approaches the limit of detection of the analytical method. Following successful validation and external audit by COFRAC (Comité français d’accréditation) the new method and systems have been adopted into routine daily use.
About the Authors
Nicolas Falquet is Testing Manager at ITGA, a leading independent analytical testing laboratory, based at Le polygone, 46 rue de la Télèmatique, 42000 St-Etienne, France. ITGA is part of the Carso Group.
Gilles d’Esperonnat is responsible for sales and service of Genevac evaporators in France and based in the Lyon area
Rob Darrington is Product Manager at the Genevac head office, Farthing Road, Ipswich, IP1 5AP, UK.
References
IARC. 1987. IARC Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, supplement 7, Overall evaluation of carcinogenicity: an updating of IARC monographs 1-42. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer
Marsico, Anna Maria, 2006. Improving Analysis of Pesticides – a new method development protocol to increase recovery of volatile compounds. First published in Lab Asia, August 2006 & available via
http://www.genevac.org/en/ArticleDetail.asp?S=6&V=1&ProductD ownload=81
Massat, F, Planel, B & Venezia, A, 2007, Evaluation of Evaporative Sample Preparation Techniques. First published in International Environmental Technology, March/April 2008, pp 36, and also available via
http://genevac.org/en/ArticleDetail.asp?S=6&V=1&ProductDownl oad=134
NF X 43-294. June 1995. Sampling and analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
INRS. 2007. Method Metropol 011. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
NF ISO 11338-2. March 2004. Determination of gas and particle- phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - Part 2 : sample preparation, clean-up and determination.
Figure 2: HPLC-Fluorescence Chromatogram Overlay of Reference Sample to Post Concentration Sample Red - the reference point. Blue - other chromatograms refer to the PAH compounds Naphthalene, Acenaphthene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene
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Figure 3: Data from Validation Studies Mass Recovered (ng) and Recovery % are averages from each of the 6 repetitions performed. SD is the standard deviation across repetitions.
New Spectrometer for Bomb Detection
Avantes (Netherlands) has been selected as supplier for the OPTIX project (Optical Technologies for the Identification of explosives). The objective is to develop a transportable system for the standoff detection and identification of explosives, using LIBS, Raman and IR spectroscopy. Avantes will supply newly developed systems. The project is funded by the European Commission.
Benno Oderkerk, Avantes’ technical director: “Avantes has always focused on high quality, customisable miniature spectrometers. We have been selected for the OPTIX project based on our vast experience in customer specific optical systems. We will develop new systems with our partners in this project, including the Universities of Malaga, Dortmund, Vienna, Clausthal and the Spanish Guarda Civil.”
The OPTIX project has been launched to possibly prevent terrorist attacks, as those in New York (2001), Madrid (2004) and London (2005). About 60% of these attacks have been carried out by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and therefore the detection has been given a high priority to contribute to the security of European citizens.
Oderkerk: “Spectrometers have proven to accurately detect even the smallest traces of substances. We will be developing a combined system of LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy), Raman systems and IR absorption. Together, they give an accurate description of the unknown substance being investigated. Avantes is proud to be selected for such a prestigious project and we expect the first tests and results soon.
Reader Reply Card No. IET March / April 2012
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