GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROMETRY (GC-MS)

The Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) instrument separates chemical mixtures (the GC component) and identifies the components at a molecular level (the MS component). It is one of the most accurate tools for analyzing environmental samples. The GC works on the principle that a mixture will separate into individual substances when heated. The heated gases are carried through a column with an inert gas (such as helium). As the separated substances emerge from the column opening, they flow into the MS. Mass spectrometry identifies compounds by the mass of the analyte molecule.

GC/MS systems vary from stationary benchtop types for laboratories to portable types designed to perform rapid sample analysis in the field. Portable GC/MS systems perform sampling and analysis at the same time, limiting losses of target compounds. Portable systems can deliver lab-quality results-in the field and are widely used in onsite testing of air, soil and water quality by identifying analytes in PPM (parts per million) - PPT (parts per trillion) range. Portable systems offered by RotaLab have the capability to identify and quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), toxic industrial materials (TIMs), chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and many other types of analytes.