EPA TO-11 Formaldehyde and Aldehydes by DNPH and HPLC
EPA TO-11 is a method for collecting aldehydes and ketones in air samples on DNPH cartridges. The cartridges are desorbed and analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) using UV detection. For source level samples there is an impinger method TO-5 or EPA 0011. This method is more complicated because it has strict requirements on the preparation and shipping of the DNHP impinger solution. The cartridges can be used on source samples, but their capacity is less then the impinger methods.
Diffusive Sampling - Aldehydes can be collected on DNPH cartirdges in diffusive samplers. Diffusive samplers are placed at the sample location and collect the sample by diffusion of the sir into the cartridge. No pumps or other sampling equipment is required. The cartridges are analyzed like the regular DNPH cartridges. EAS will calculate the results for you. See the link to Radiello below for more information.
Word about Method Detection Limits (MDL)
Defining Detection Limits
Detection Limits are used to specify the lowest concentration of a compound that can be measured reliably by the analytical method. There are several definitions for the detection limits used by laboratories so it is important to understand the differences, so that the objectives of your project are met. On this web site, the term detection limit is used as a general term to collectively describe the more specific terms such as the Method Detection Limit (MDL), Lower Quantitation Limit (LQL), Reporting Limit (RL), and Method Reporting Limit (MRL), and Practical Quantitation Limit (PQL).