TITLE
Method Evaluation Study: the Application of VOST to the
Nonhalogenated Semivolatile Organic Compounds from the Clean Air
Act Amendments

AUTHOR(S)
Merrill D. Jackson, James F. McGaughey, Raymond G. Merrill, and
Joan T. Bursey

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Radian Corporation
P.O. Box 13000
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

ABSTRACT
A laboratory study and two field studies were performed to evaluate
the application of the Volatile Organic Sampling Train (VOST, EPA
Method 0030) to the volatile halogenated organic compounds
(approximately 35 compounds) listed in the Clean Air Act Amendments
(CAAA) of 1990.  Subsequently, a laboratory study was performed to
asses the feasibility of the application of the VOST methodology to
the volatile nonhalogenated organic compounds listed in the CAAA
(approximately 20 compounds) Several of the volatile organic
compounds were eliminated from consideration as VOST analytes
because they could not be analyzed successfully by gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and others were
eliminated because of poor analytical system response.  The
remaining CAAA volatile organic analytes (benzene, toluene, carbon
disulfide, 2,2,4trimethylpentane, and hexane) were tested in the
field using the guidance of EPA Method 301 for experimental design
and statistical evaluation of the data.  Quadruple VOST trains were
run in the field, with dynamic spiking of the volatile analytes
from a certified cylinder into two of the sampling trains.  The
bias and precision of the VOST sampling and analytical methodology
applied to each of the volatile organic analytes were evaluated.