<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 8th September 2025? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezICPMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you poster by <strong>Agilent Technologies / ASMS </strong>and application notes by <strong>EST Analytical</strong> and <strong>Shimadzu!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Agilent Technologies / ASMS: Optimizing the Efficiency and Productivity of GC/MS Workflows to Improve Laboratory Sustainability</strong></h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/ps_db_5q_hydroinert_sustainability_asms_2025_mp_365_en_agilent_3cc1d968a1.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Today, laboratories consume a staggering 10 times more energy and water than a typical office [1]. Labs with GC and GC/MS systems have unique sustainability challenges due to the resource-intensive nature of these instruments. They consume large amounts of gas and energy while also generating hazardous waste products. According to Agilent customer surveys, 85 percent of labs and organizations have sustainability goals in place, and 83 percent of lab leaders believe their current workflow requires optimization to meet their sustainability ambitions [2]. A more efficient laboratory is a more sustainable one. This poster outlines some simple approaches that laboratories can take, today, to optimize workflow efficiency and productivity, thus minimizing resource consumption.</p><h4><strong>Experimental</strong></h4><p>Laboratory workflows are the cornerstone of laboratory operations. In this poster we will illustrate the impact of column scaling for GC/MS workflows, the use of hydrogen as an alternative, renewable carrier gas for GC and GC/MS. Hydrogen offers unique safety and reactivity challenges that we will address with Agilent HydroInert source. Lastly, we will demonstrate simple and effective ways to conserve gases, focusing on existing helium carrier gas workflows. In the end, these simple, easy-toimplement practices will illustrate how sustainability can be accomplished in conjunction with improving workflow profitability and productivity.</p><h4><strong>Alternative Carrier Gases</strong></h4><h5><strong>Carrier Gases&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>Helium shortages have impacted analytical laboratories since 2006 and repeatedly been in short supply[3]. While helium’s availability has improved in recent years, there are still concerns surrounding supply stability and rising costs. Knowing the cyclic nature of the helium supply chain, exploring alternative carrier gas options like hydrogen and nitrogen are necessary for laboratory managers looking for sustainability, flexibility, and cost savings measures. Specifically, hydrogen carrier gas is a good option for GC/MS methods and when using the Agilent Method Translator tool, methods can easily be transferred. Figure 3 highlights parameter adjustments for translation like pressure, flow, velocity, and temperature program rates to ensure similar relative retention orders with the alternative gas. Hydrogen when compared to nitrogen as a carrier gas provides the best alternative for chromatographic resolution and speed. Figure 4 demonstrates a method transfer of helium to hydrogen carrier gas for ASTM D5769.</p><h4><strong>Consumables Impact&nbsp;</strong></h4><h5><strong>Tailored </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=19&amp;mainauthorItems=10"><strong>GC Columns&nbsp;</strong></a></h5><p>Consumables in GC/MS workflows are often overlooked as contributing factors to sustainability and optimization. For example, minimizing column bleed and improving GC column thermal durability can have a major beneficial impacted for both data quality and instrument uptime. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=19&amp;mainauthorItems=10&amp;search=J%26W+5Q"><strong>Agilent J&amp;W 5Q GC columns</strong></a> provide the lowest bleed standard for GC/MS workflows. This provides less downtime from ion source cleaning, faster conditioning, and minimize reruns due to data quality issues. Figure 5 and 6 highlight thermal stability and sensitivity of the <strong>DB-5Q</strong> and <strong>HP-5Q columns</strong>.</p><h4><strong>Conclusions</strong></h4><p>Optimizing the efficiency and productivity of GC/MS workflows are critical for analytical laboratories to stay competitive and profitable. This poster demonstrated a time savings of 50% with column scaling from a conventional GC/MS column to a high-efficiency column, successful alternative carrier gas method transfer, reducing potential source reactivity when using hydrogen carrier, and demonstrated 3.8 to 7X factor reduction of carrier gas consumption when using software features and the Helium Conservation module.</p><h3><strong>2. EST Analytical: Drinking Water Analysis Conditions for USEPA Method 524.3 and the Newly Proposed Method 524.4</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Purge_and_Trap_Drinking_Water_Analysis_Conditions_for_USEPA_Method_524_3_and_524_4_Agilent_315971a468.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>In June 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) promulgated a new drinking water method, 524.3. Due to advances in analytical instrumentation, Method 524.3 allows laboratories to modify purge and trap and GCMS conditions. Currently the USEPA is investigating the option of using Nitrogen as the purge gas in a new drinking water method, 524.4. This application note will explore purge and trap conditions for both Helium and Nitrogen purge gases.</p><h4><strong>Discussion: &nbsp;</strong></h4><p>When the USEPA published Method 524.3, they allowed some method flexibility. However, the method still required Helium as the purge gas. Due to fluctuations in the price and availability of high purity Helium, the USEPA has drafted Method 524.4 which would allow for high purity Nitrogen to be used for the purge gas.&nbsp;</p><p>Method 524.4 provides the same flexibility as Method 524.3, thus method parameters can be modified in order to optimize purge and trap cycle times. Although the new method allows for a shorter desorb time, moisture build up can still be a problem as the new preservation scheme causes effervescing in the sparge vessel. EST has two features that can aid in moisture control and the “foaming” caused by the effervescing. First, EST has a foam sensor to detect any issues with foaming. The foam sensor for the Encon Evolution has a unique placement above the bulb of the sparge vessel, thus allowing the bulb to control the effervescing bubbles and not sending a false positive signal to the software causing the sample sequence to be aborted. Secondly, the Encon Evolution utilizes an 8 port valve instead of a 6 port valve. This unique engineering has the advantage of excluding the Moisture Reduction Trap (MoRT) from the desorb pathway thus aiding in moisture control for the system. Furthermore, the Centurion WS has the ability of taking samples from the vials without moving the samples. This eliminates opportunities for vial movement errors that would negatively impact productivity.</p><h4><strong>Experimental:&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2160"><strong>EST Analytical Encon Evolution purge and trap concentrator</strong></a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2159"><strong>Centurion WS Autosampler </strong></a>were interfaced to a GC/MSD. The purge and trap concentrator was configured with a Vocarb 3000 (K) analytical trap. A chiller unit capable of keeping the sample vials cooled below 10°C was installed on the Centurion WS autosampler. The experimental parameters are listed in Tables 1 and 2.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion:&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The Encon Evolution and Centurion WS performed very well using both the Helium and Nitrogen purge gases and the 440ml and 390ml purge volumes. The Nitrogen and the Helium purge gases met USEPA method 524.3 criteria. Furthermore, the 440ml purge volume and the 390ml purge volume produced comparable results. Overall, the principal difference between the two purge gases was exhibited in the compound response. When examining the overall compound response factors over the curve range, it is evident that the analytes’ responses are slightly lower with the Nitrogen purge gas as opposed to the Helium purge gas.</p><h3><strong>3. Shimadzu: Ultra-Sensitive Analysis of β-cyclocitral in Water Using Solid Phase Micro Extraction and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_09_ssk_022_en_c7d7b3ef8a.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><h4><strong>User Benefits</strong></h4><ul><li>SPME-GC-MS supports effective monitoring of water environments</li><li>Excellent sensitivity, achieving quantification of β-cyclocitral in water within the ultra-trace level</li><li>SPME provides a solvent-free extraction, efficient, and highly sensitive method for detecting β-cyclocitral&nbsp;</li></ul><p>Cyanobacterial blooms, commonly known as algal blooms, cause rivers and lakes to turn vividly green due to the excessive growth of cyanobacteria. This phenomenon is caused by factors such as global population growth, industrial pollution, and rising water temperatures caused by climate change. <sup>1)</sup></p><p>Cyanobacterial blooms produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like β-cyclocitral and β-ionone, which cause unpleasant odors and reduce the quality of drinking water and aquatic products. This leads to consumer complaints and economic lossesin aquaculture and water treatment.&nbsp;</p><p>Detecting and quantifying β-cyclocitral (Figure. 1) at trace levels is therefor essential for effective water management. However, conventional solvent extraction methods often fail to detect βcyclocitral, as it requires acidification or heating to be effectively released from the matrix. <sup>2)&nbsp;</sup></p><p>In contrast, solid phase microextraction (SPME) enables efficient detection by facilitating the thermal desorption of β-cyclocitral from sample matrices onto the fiber. Moreover, SPME reduces solvent use and shortens sample preparation time compared to traditional extraction techniques, making it a suitable approach for the analysis of thermally induced volatile compounds like βcyclocitral.&nbsp;</p><p>This application news describes the suitability of β-cyclocitral analysis using SPME automatic injection (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AOC-6000+Plus"><strong>AOC<sup>TM</sup>-6000 Plus</strong></a>) and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=GCMS-QP2020+NX"><strong>GCMS-QP2020 NX</strong></a> of Shimadzu. The developed method enables highly sensitive quantitation of β-cyclocitral, achieving detection at the pg/mL level.</p><h4><strong>Analytical Conditions</strong></h4><p>β-cyclocitral in water was analyzed using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=GCMS-QP2020+NX"><strong>GCMS-QP2020 NX</strong></a> of Shimadzu equipped with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=1&amp;search=AOC-6000+Plus"><strong>AOC-6000 Plus autosampler</strong></a> as shown in Figure 2. The detailed analytical conditions of instrument was provided in Table 1. For the SPME analysis, 50/30 μm DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber was used, and SH-PolarWax (30 m × 0.25 mm I.D., 0.25 μm) was used as the analytical column. The AOC-6000 Plus supports various injection techniques, including liquid injection, headspace (HS) injection, and solidphase microextraction (SPME) injection. Furthermore, sample preparation and preprocessing in the AOC-6000 Plus are automatically carried out during injection into the GC system, improving efficiency and reproducibility.</p><h4><strong>Conclusions&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>In this application news, SPME-GC-MS method was developed and validated for the ultra-sensitive quantitation of β-cyclocitral in water using the Shimadzu GCMS-QP2020 NX coupled with the AOC-6000 Plus. The method demonstrated quantification capability down to the picogram-per-milliliter (pg/mL) level, excellent linearity (R² &gt; 0.999). Accuracy and precision were confirmed with a recovery of 105.3% and %RSD of 0.7. These results confirm the reliability and suitability of the SPME-GC-MS method for ultra-trace quantification of β-cyclocitral in environmental watersamples.</p>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 37, 2025

<p><strong>Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezGCMS Library in the week of 29th September 2025? Check out new documents from the field of the gas phase, especially GC and GC/MS techniques!</strong></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:20px;">👉 </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library"><span style="font-size:20px;"><strong>SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT GCMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><strong>👉 Need info about different analytical techniques?</strong> Peek into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezLCMS</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/library"><strong>LabRulezICPMS</strong></a> libraries.</p></blockquote><p>This week we bring you application notes by <strong>Agilent Technologies </strong>and<strong> EST Analytical, </strong>poster by<strong> Shimadzu </strong>and smart note by <strong>Thermo Fisher Scientific!</strong></p><h3><strong>1. Agilent Technologies: Equimolar Response to ASTM D5623 Relevant Sulfur Compounds</strong></h3><p><strong>Using an </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=8890+GC"><strong>Agilent 8890 gas chromatograph</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=8355%C2%A0SCD"><strong>8355 sulfur chemiluminescence detector (GC/SCD)</strong></a></p><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/an_equimolar_response_astm_d5623_sulfur_compounds_5994_8562en_agilent_62a37181e4.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>For many years, the use of a sulfur-specific detector in the petroleum industry has been invaluable for accurately identifying low levels of sulfur-containing compounds in petroleum at various stages of production.<sup>1</sup> Many environmental and health requirements limit the amount of sulfur allowed in the final petroleum product. The presence of sulfur also has the potential to poison the catalytic processes that take place during petroleum refining.&nbsp;</p><p>Along with the determination of low sulfur levels in a petroleum sample, a detector may also need to measure high sulfur levels and total sulfur content. A detector with a high linear range is essential in making both low-level and high‑level determinations of sulfur in a petroleum sample.&nbsp;</p><p>In this application note, an Agilent 8355 SCD was used to measure 19 sulfur-containing compounds within a standard sample. The 8355 SCD is ideal for the widely used ASTM&nbsp;D5623 method<sup>2</sup> because of its ability to obtain linear and equimolar responses to sulfur compounds with minimal hydrocarbon interference. When comparing the equimolar response of analytes containing different numbers of sulfur atoms, the response should be double for the analytes containing two sulfur atoms compared to those with one&nbsp;sulfur atom.&nbsp;</p><p>Another advantage of the 8355 SCD is the ability to use it in tandem with an FID. This combination allows monitoring solvent elution through the GC system, assisting in the detection of the coelution of solvents with analyte peaks. These coelutions can cause peak distortion, which might be mistaken for activity issues within the GC system.</p><h4><strong>Methods&nbsp;</strong></h4><h5><strong>Instrumentation&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>Two <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=8890+GC"><strong>Agilent 8890 GC systems</strong></a> were equipped with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=8355%C2%A0SCD"><strong>8355&nbsp;SCD</strong></a>. Both GC/SCD systems were run in the same manner to confirm equimolar results. A third GC system was also configured with a tandem flame ionization detector sulfur chemiluminescence detector (FID/SCD) to allow the determination of the solvent peak elution from the system. This third system also served as another confirmation of the equimolar results that were obtained from the other two GC/SCD systems. Sample introduction for all systems was completed with an Agilent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=7693A+automatic+liquid+sampler"><strong>7693A automatic liquid sampler</strong></a> with a 5 µL syringe. The sample volume for each injection was 1.0 µL. All analyses were performed with a split/splitless inlet in split mode.&nbsp;</p><p>The GC/SCD parameters are provided in Table 1. Note that an Agilent DB-Sulfur SCD GC column (part number G3903-63002) was used in this study because of the low column bleed and excellent inertness and performance for sulfur compound analysis. When using the SCD, be aware that stationary phase bleed from the GC column can lead to fouling of the ceramic tubes within the detector. This phenomenon can cause poor SCD performance, such as decreased sensitivity, and may require more frequent maintenance. Proper GC column selection (such as the DB-Sulfur column) is important to ensure lower column bleed into the detector and will reduce fouling of ceramic tubes, reducing instrument downtime.</p><h4><strong>Results and discussion</strong></h4><h5><strong>Use of GC/FID for solvent elution determination&nbsp;</strong></h5><p>Determination of the solvent peak elution can be a challenge when using a sulfur-selective detector such as the SCD. Many times, the large, fronting solvent peak may coelute with analytes of interest, causing distortion of the analyte peak shape (peak tailing, fronting, or broadening) and poor chromatographic separation. This poor peak shape, caused by column overloading, can be mistaken for activity issues in the system or hydrocarbon interferences, leading to unnecessary troubleshooting or inlet/column maintenance. Determination of the solvent peak elution time is recommended to ensure that coelution does not occur with any of the analytes of interest. To confirm the solvent elution time, a tandem GC/FID/SCD system was used. The GC/FID/SCD system puts the FID in-line before the SCD analysis, allowing the user to obtain both FID and SCD signals from a single injection, thus confirming the solvent retention time and determining any solvent/analyte coelutions.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The Agilent 8355 sulfur chemiluminescence detector, paired with an Agilent 8890 GC, was evaluated by analyzing 19&nbsp;sulfur‑containing compounds relevant to ASTM D5623. The SCD met the specifications of the test method, including an equimolar response to the analyzed sulfur compounds and a wide range of linearity to a sulfur-containing standard. The 8355 SCD shows excellent area reproducibility, and when used in tandem with a flame ionization detector, the system can aid in the determination of solvent peak elution through the GC system.</p><h3><strong>2. EST Analytical: Reducing Carryover in Environmental Water Samples</strong></h3><ul><li>Application note</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Purge_and_Trap_Reducing_Carryover_in_Environmental_Water_Samples_6e5ba0a008.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>In order to mitigate carryover, many environmental labs resort to running sample dilutions or adding blank samples after a highly contaminated sample. Both of these solutions are not ideal and can lead to a loss of analyte detection when diluting or a loss of profits when blank samples need to be run.</p><p>Since, the primary source of carryover for water samples is the sparge vessel, purge and trap manufactures have incorporated a rinsing step in which the sparge vessel is “washed” with hot water in order to clean up the volatile compounds that may still reside in the sparge vessel. Expanding on the idea of limiting volatile compounds in the sparge vessel, EST Analytical developed a patented process of heating the sparge vessel during the bake step of the purge and trap process (Patent Number: US 8,075,842 B1) . This engineering innovation essentially performs two bakes; as a result both the trap and the sparge vessel are “cleaned” at the same time. No other concentrator is or can be engineered to do this.</p><h4><strong>Experimental</strong></h4><p>The sampling system used for this study was the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2160"><strong>EST Analytical Evolution concentrator</strong></a> and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/2159"><strong>Centurion WS autosampler</strong></a>. The concentrator was affixed with a Vocarb 3000 trap and connected to an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=7890A"><strong>Agilent 7890A GC </strong></a>and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=1&amp;search=5975C"><strong>5975C inert XL MS</strong></a>. The GC was configured with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=9&amp;search=Rxi-624+Sil+MS"><strong>Restek Rxi-624 Sil</strong></a> MS 30m x 0.25mm x 1.4µm column. Refer to Table 1 for the sampling method parameters and Table 2 for GC/MS parameters.</p><h4><strong>Conclusions</strong></h4><p>The Evolution purge and trap concentrator with its patented technique of heating the sparge vessel during the bake process proved to reduce carryover by almost half when comparing with hot water rinses alone. The advantages of reduced carryover are many. Primary among them is the ability to run more samples during the twelve hour tune window. This increase in productivity translates to more laboratory profits and better use of instrument time.</p><h3><strong>3. Shimadzu / AOAC: Analysis of PFAS in juice using Head-Space Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME GCMS)</strong></h3><ul><li>Poster</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/aoac_2025_t010_9967ebebff.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>PFAS contaminate water and food through packaging that can leach volatile PFAS from plastics and inks or coatings. This work developed a headspace SPME GCMS method to analyze six volatile PFAS classes in juices. The United States Food and Drug Administration has tested for PFAS in a broad range of foods and beverages as part of its Total Diet Study. Juice matrices differ in flavor, sugar, as well as manufacturing practices, and packaging, with the latter two potentially introducing PFAS contamination. The former differences between products can impact PFAS detection.</p><h4><strong>Materials and Methods</strong></h4><p>The SPME method used in this study is based on a method published by Bach et.al. (2016). An HS-SPME method is used to improve method performance when analyzing complex aqueous samples over direct immersion. The optimized parameters of the instrument method for the targeted PFAS are listed in table 1.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=3&amp;search=GCMS-TQ8040+NX"><strong>Shimadzu GCMS-TQ8040 NX triple quadrupole instrument</strong></a>, configured with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=3&amp;search=AOC-6000+Plus+SPME"><strong>AOC-6000 Plus SPME</strong></a> unit, was used to measure PFAS in different juice samples. Without isotope dilution, matrix effects caused recoveries to fall outside of acceptable criteria. Method blanks showed no detectable PFAS, and calibration demonstrated excellent linearity (R² ≥ 0.993). This HS-SPME GCMS-TQ8040 NX method demonstrated quantitative capability for analyzing nanogram-per-liter PFAS compounds in complex juice matrices. This application highlights a simple, fast, robust, precise, and accurate workflow for measuring volatile PFAS in challenging matrices.</p><h3><strong>4. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Safe use of carrier hydrogen for air monitoring with Multi-Gas TD-GC-MS</strong></h3><ul><li>Other document (smart note)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/sn_003958_gc_single_quad_gc_ms_isq_7610_environmental_sn003958_na_en_8216fc7021.pdf"><strong>Full PDF for download</strong></a></li></ul><p>Monitoring volatile organic air compounds, also known as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), is crucial for maintaining air quality in urban and industrial environments due to their significant health risks. The growing concerns about these potentially dangerous volatile organic compounds in ambient air, particularly in urban areas and from industrial emissions, have led to the development of numerous national and international regulations. The use of Thermal Desorption (TD) coupled with GC-MS is the analytical technique of choice to enrich volatile organic compounds from air and quantify them at trace levels.1 In gas chromatography, the choice of carrier gas is pivotal for the separation and detection of VOCs. Helium has traditionally been the preferred carrier gas for analyzing volatile organic air toxics due to its inertness and performance benefits. However, hydrogen is becoming increasingly popular due to economic and supply considerations. Each carrier gas has unique advantages and challenges, and the choice should be guided by specific analytical requirements, cost constraints, and safety protocols. As the demand for sustainable and cost-effective solutions grows, hydrogen is expected to play a more significant role in monitoring hazardous air pollutants in urban and industrial settings.</p><p>Thermal Desorption is an established way to analyze VOCs in a wide variety of sample types. This smart note highlights the use of the new Multi-Gas TD system (Markes International) that allows a safe use of carrier hydrogen for the analysis of VOCs in air, enhancing operational flexibility and supporting more sustainable laboratory practices.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>Experimental&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>In this study, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?manufacturerItems=7&amp;search=TD100-xr"><strong>Markes TD100-xr™ Multi-Gas system</strong></a>, coupled with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/486"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ TRACE™ 1610 gas chromatograph</strong></a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/484"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ ISQ™ 7610 single quadrupole mass spectrometer,</strong></a> was employed to accurately detect and quantify compounds for effective air monitoring. This combination leverages several technological advancements to optimize analytical performance and operational efficiency.</p><p>The comparison between helium and hydrogen carrier gas was carried out using the same analytical column. The method conditions for all analytes could be easily transferred. Flow rates were adjusted using the split ratio calculator available in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/76"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ Chromeleon™ Chromatography Data System (CDS)</strong></a> Instrument Method Wizard (Figure 1) to maintain the same split level and therefore the same amount of transferred sample. A further factor facilitating rapid adoption of hydrogen carrier gas in laboratories is that existing columns and consumables can be used without restrictions.</p><h4><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The use of the Markes TD100-xr Multi-Gas system combined with the ISQ 7610 GC-MS for the analysis of VOC in air allows for a safe use of carrier hydrogen, making it a viable alternative to helium and offering an effective solution for laboratories facing the challenges of helium scarcity and rising costs, while maintaining the accuracy and reliability of VOC detection and quantification.&nbsp;</p><ul><li>The comparative analysis clearly confirmed that using hydrogen carrier gas in gas chromatography offers substantial benefits over helium. The significant reduction in retention time, as shown by the 60% decrease for 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene, leads to faster analysis without compromising the separation efficiency.&nbsp;</li><li>Enabling shorter analysis time, hydrogen enhances laboratory productivity, reduces costs, and contributes to more sustainable practices.&nbsp;</li><li>The results also indicate that both helium and hydrogen can be used effectively as carrier gases without impacting the response linearity for the VOC compounds under evaluation. Laboratories can confidently use hydrogen as an alternative to helium for quantitative analysis, ensuring accurate and reliable analytical results.</li><li>When using multiple carrier gases, the ISQ 7610 NeverVent technology is key to easily switching from helium to hydrogen and back to helium with no venting required, making this operation very quick and safe.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>In conclusion, coupling the Markes TD100-xr Multi-Gas system with the ISQ 7610 single quadrupole GC-MS offers a robust and flexible solution for air monitoring. This integration enhances operational efficiency, reduces costs, and maintains high data integrity, making it an invaluable tool for modern analytical laboratories.</p>

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 40, 2025

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 44, 2025

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 06, 2026

Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Phytochemical Profiles as a Function of Growth Region by HPLC and GC-MS Analysis

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Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Phytochemical Profiles as a Function of Growth Region by HPLC and GC-MS Analysis

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 06, 2026

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