Utilizing a Combination of TGA and GC-MS to Estimate Health-Based Risks from Off-Gassed Volatile Compounds

Abstract

Off-gassed compounds emitted from various materials can, in some instances, present health risks. In order to assess the potential health risks, off-gassed compounds must be identified, quantified, and evaluated relative to known health-based exposure guidance levels. We present a simple screening method for doing this that combines thermogravimetric analysis with thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The masses of particular volatile compounds are estimated over the course of a short-term, acute exposure. Assumptions (or measurements) of a room size can be used to convert these mass estimates to estimated concentrations, which can then be compared with readily available health-based exposure thresholds.