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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
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Contact us
- Email customerservice@measurement.gov.au
- Phone 1300 722 845
Last updated: 8 December 2020
Content ID: 64627