SOP for the sampling and analysis of Benzene in Ambient Air (Solvent

extraction and analysis on gas chromatograph)

1. Principle Benzene is sampled in ambient air sucked through the tube used for
collection of BTX Sample in activated charcoal using low flow sampler. Desorption of
the adsorbed benzene is done using carbon sulphide (CS2). The substances desorbed
in the carbon di sulphide (CS2) are analyzed by capillary gas chromatography using
flame ionization detector (FID) for the analysis while qualification is performed
using the internal / external standard.
2. Apparatus/ Instrument Required:
a) Organic Vapor sampler APM 850.
b) Activated charcoal tube.
c) Gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (FID)
3. Reagents and Chemicals:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Standard benzene (Sigma)

Carbon di Sulphide (CS2)
Fused silica capillary columns (length: 30M x. 0.25mm)
Ultrasonicator

4. Procedure for Sampling: Ambient Air sampling performs for benzene using
activated charcoal/tube and low flow sampler commonly per 8 hrs. Samples are
collected in glass tube filled with a activated charcoal tube at two ends, connecting it
to a sample pump and pulling air through the tube with the pump. Air borne
chemicals are trapped onto the surface of the sorbent.
a) Two tubes are used in a series and sampling is carried out using low flow
sampler.
b) Keep the tube in a vertical position during sampling to prevent the possibility of
channeling that can lead to under sampling.
c) Sampling flow rate in the range of 20-100 ml/ min is required (2%) for Ambient
Air.
d) Sealed the tube with push on caps for the analysis.

5. Analytical Procedure: Sample collected through active sampling and extracted or

desorbed by conventional solvent (generally 1-5ml of carbon di sulphide) using
ultrasonication for 15min to remove analyte from the sorbent material. Desorbed
sample are analyzed using gas chromatograph filled with capillary column and
flame ionization detector. (FID)
GC Condition:Column- 5% phenyl 95% di- methylpalysiloxane 30M x 0.25mm
Temperature programming
Injection part: 250C
Detector: 300C

Column/oven: 50c (Hold 3 min)

Ramp 1 @10C /Min to 140C (1min)
Ramp 2 @20C /min to 240C (1min)
Injection: Volume 1 l, 5l
Benzene Concentration (g/m3) at ambient condition-

C x V1 X 103
V2 X V3
C= Amount of Compound found Injection sample
V1= Total volume of the sample extracted on ml
V2= Volume of sample extract injection into GC
V3= Volume of air sucked through the tube in m3, V3=(St)/106
Where S=Sampling rate, in ml /min. & t= Sampling time, in min.

Calculation:
Reference (1) methods for measurement for Air pollution for sampling and analysis of
Benzene Toluene, and xylene (BTX) as per IS: 5182 (P-11) - 2006.