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Air samples
We recommend the following preservation procedures, holding times and conditions when submitting air samples for testing by the National Measurement Institute (NMI). Please treat these recommendations as a guide only.
| Test | Container | Preservation procedure (treatment after collection until arrival at NMI) | Holding time (maximum time from collection until analysis) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatile organic compounds (VOC) | canister | nil | 30 days | US EPA TO15 |
| VOC | tube | cool to <4 °C | 30 days | US EPA TO17 |
| VOC | tube, passive sampler | cool to <4° C | 14 days | US EPA 8260 |
| Sulphur compounds | canister | nil | 72 hours | NMI method |
| Metals | impinger solutions, filters | cool to ≤6 °C | 30 days | US EPA M29, US EPA MIO-3.1 |
| Metals (general including CrVI) | filters/sorbents | cool to ≤6 °C | 30 days (14 days for CrVI) | US EPA 3060A |
| Sulphate (H2SO4/SO3/SO2) | impinger solutions, filters | nil | not available | APHA 4110B, US EPA M8 |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) | XAD resin, filter, rinse | cool to 4 °C, dark | 7 days | CARB429 |
| Nitrate (NOx) | impinger solution, filter | nil | 4 days | APHA 4110B, US EPA M7A |
| Fluoride (HF/F2), chloride (HCl/Cl2), bromide (HBr/Br2) | impinger solution, filter | nil | not available | APHA 4110B, US EPA 26 |
| Formaldehyde | silica gel tube | cool to <4 °C | 14 days | US EPA TO11 |
| Dioxins (PCDD/PCDF) | XAD resin, filter, rinse | cool to <4 °C | 30 days | US EPA M23, US EPA 1613 |
| Dioxins (PCDD/PCDF) | PUF tube, filters | cool to <4 °C | 30 days | US EPA TO-9A, US EPA 1613 |
| Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) | XAD resin, filter, rinse | cool to <4 °C | 30 days | US EPA M23, US EPA 1668 |
| Dioxin-like PCB | PUF tube, filters | cool to <4 °C | 30 days | US EPA TO-9A, US EPA 1613 |
| Chlorobenzenes, chlorophenols | XAD resin, filter, rinse | cool to <4 °C | 7 days | US EPA 8270 |
| Semi-volatile organics | XAD tube | cool to <4 °C | 7 days | US EPA 8270 |
| Ammonia | impinger solutions | nil | not available | APHA 4500-NH3G |
| Hydrocarbons | canister | ambient | 30 days | MassDEP APH |
| OCP/OPP/PCB | PUF tube | cool to <4 °C | 7 days | US EPA 8081, US EPA 8141 |
| PAH | XAD Tube | cool to <4 °C | 7 days | US EPA 8270 |
| PAH | PUF tube, filters | cool to <4 °C | 7 days | US EPA TO-13A |
| Particulate matter (gravimetric analysis) | dust filter | nil | not available | AS 3580.9.10, AS 3640, US EPA M5 |
| PCB | XAD or PUF tube | cool to <4 °C | 7 days | US EPA 8081 |
| Permanent gases | canisters | ambient | 30 days | ASTM D1946 |
References
- ASTM D1946 Standard Practice for Analysis of Reformed Gas by Gas Chromatography
- APHA Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 22nd edition, American Public Health Association
- CARB429 Method 429 - Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Emissions from Stationary Sources, California Air Resources Board
- MassDep APH Method for the Determination of Air-phase Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
- US EPA MIO-3.1 Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Inorganic Compounds in Ambient Air, Method IO-3.1 Selection, Preparation and Extraction of Filter Material
- Other US EPA Test Method Collections
Read more
See how to preserve other sample types when submitting your environmental samples to NMI
See our full range of environmental testing and analysis services.
Contact us
- Email customerservice@measurement.gov.au
- Phone 1300 722 845
Last updated: 8 December 2020
Content ID: 64627