Evaluation of capillary microextraction of volatiles (CMV) coupled to a person-portable gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC–MS) for the analysis of gasoline residues

A novel dynamic headspace extraction device, the capillary microextraction of volatiles (CMV) was coupled to a person-portable GC–MS for analysis ignitable liquid residues (ILR) sampled from simulated fire debris. benchtop used as benchmark performance portable GC–MS. The use paper cup in conjunction with CMV in-field sampling VOCs associated ILRs is presented first time. five-minute sampling/extraction protocol sufficient recover six (6) analytes: toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, o-xylene, 4-ethyltoluene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene 0.01 µL spike gasoline, typical mass recoveries 4–24 ng. Extractions water-logged debris resulted reliable detection same compounds but up 62% less retained relative dry Recoveries detected analytes ranged between 1 5% at several solution volumes suggesting proportional retention by CMV. also demonstrated greater capabilities than air wand. Out 20-component mixture, 17 were compared wand’s 13, majority these higher overall intensities An 21-minute analytical method developed using CMV/Cup capable detecting ILR-associated 10x sensitivity traditional techniques such activated charcoal strips SPME fibers.