US EPA Method TO-15 VS US EPA Method TO-14A

Compendium Method TO-15 is significant in that it extends the Compendium Method TO-14A description for using canister-based sampling and gas chromatographic analysis in the following ways:

• Compendium Method TO-15 incorporates a multisorbent/dry purge technique or equivalent (see Appendix A) for water management thereby addressing a more extensive set of compounds (the VOCs mentioned in Title III of the CAAA of 1990) than addressed by Compendium Method TO-14A. Compendium Method TO-14A approach to water management alters the structure or reduces the sample stream concentration of some VOCs, especially water-soluble VOCs.

• Compendium Method TO-15 uses the GC/MS technique as the only means to identify and quantitate target compounds. The GC/MS approach provides a more scientifically-defensible detection scheme which is generally more desirable than the use of single or even multiple specific detectors.

• In addition, Compendium Method TO-15 establishes method performance criteria for acceptance of data, allowing the use of alternate but equivalent sampling and analytical equipment. There are several new and viable commercial approaches for water management as noted in Appendix A of this method on which to base a VOC monitoring technique as well as other approaches to sampling (i.e., autoGCs and solid adsorbents) that are often used. This method lists performance criteria that these alternatives must meet to be acceptable alternatives for monitoring ambient VOCs.

• Finally, Compendium Method TO-15 includes enhanced provisions for inherent quality control. The method uses internal analytical standards and frequent verification of analytical system performance to assure control of the analytical system. This more formal and better documented approach to quality control guarantees a higher percentage of good data.