What pollutants were found in the VOC samples as a result of the contamination?
The majority of the contamination comes from two VOCs: acrylonitrile; and dichloromethane (methylene chloride). We also have seen smaller amounts of acetonitrile, acetylene, ethylbenzene, xylene, toluene and styrene. In some cases we are also seeing very small amounts of acrolein. Additional information on acrolein. While we have found acrolein in some VOC samples that we know to be contaminated, we also have other monitoring data showing elevated levels of acrolein in many areas of the country. This information was from samples that were not contaminated. We are conducting additional, unrelated laboratory testing to further check whether monitoring results for acrolein are affected by the type of canister used to collect the sample and how that canister is cleaned.
Related Questions
- Im collecting well samples as part of the "enhanced leak detection" requirements. Do I need to take both volatile organic chemical (VOC) and semi-volatile organic chemical (SVOC) samples?
- Is external contamination with organic pollutants important for concentrations measured in bird feathers?
- What pollutants were found in the VOC samples as a result of the contamination?
