GC and GC/MS Organic Standards

Significance of the Topic

Accurate calibration of volatile organic compounds is essential for environmental monitoring to meet regulatory standards and protect public health. Certified reference materials ensure traceable and reproducible results across laboratories. PerkinElmer’s GC and GC/MS organic standards deliver high-purity mixtures for wastewater, drinking water, and solid waste analysis.

Objectives and Overview of Products

This document presents a portfolio of certified VOC calibration and system monitoring mixes aligned with EPA Methods 624, 524.2, and 8260B. Offerings include multi-component calibration solutions, system monitoring compound mixes, internal standards, and complete method kits in ready-to-use ampoules, each supplied with a comprehensive Certificate of Analysis.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The standards are prepared in methanol for purge-and-trap introduction onto gas chromatography and GC/MS platforms. Key instrumentation features include:

• Gas chromatographs with purge-and-trap sample concentrators
• Mass spectrometric or selective detectors for compound identification and quantification
• Pre-labeled amber-glass vials to minimize photodegradation and contamination

Main Components and Configurations

PerkinElmer provides tailored calibration mixes:

• Wastewater (Method 624): 15-component non-gas mix and 5-component gas mix at 2000 µg/mL
• Drinking Water (Method 524.2): 54-component non-gas mix and 6-component gas mix
• Solid Waste (Method 8260B): 54-component non-gas mix and 6-component gas mix
• System Monitoring Compounds: Multiple 3–4-component mixes at 1000–2000 µg/mL for performance checks
• Internal Standard Mixes: Fluorobenzene and deuterated compounds for retention time correction
• Complete Kits: Bundles containing all necessary calibration and monitoring standards for each EPA method

Benefits and Practical Applications

Key advantages include:

• High-accuracy, traceable calibration to ensure regulatory compliance
• Pre-aliquoted ampoules that reduce preparation errors and laboratory waste
• Broad analyte coverage for comprehensive environmental testing
• Amber vials and sealed caps to maintain stability and extend shelf life
• Detailed Certificates of Analysis verifying concentration and purity

Future Trends and Applications

Anticipated developments to meet evolving analytical needs include:

• Custom mixes for emerging contaminants and lower detection limits
• Expanded use of isotopically labeled standards for advanced mass spectral deconvolution
• Automation and LIMS integration for streamlined QC and data management
• High-throughput formats for ultra-trace analysis in complex sample matrices

Conclusion

PerkinElmer’s certified GC and GC/MS VOC standards provide environmental laboratories with reliable, efficient solutions for calibration and quality control. Covering critical EPA methods for wastewater, drinking water, and solid waste, these products support consistent compliance and analytical integrity.