VOC and SVOC tuning requirements

[ydm27]

I'm required to strickly adhere to SW-846 methodology.

Autotune: In your interpretation of methods 8260C and 8270D, is autotune an acceptable replacement for the BFB tune and DFTPP tune, respectively?

[Steve Reimer]

If you are required to follow SW-846; BFB or DFTPP are required for full scan analysis. For example section 9.3 of 8270D:
9.3 Quality control procedures necessary to evaluate the GC system operation are
found in Method 8000 and include evaluation of retention time windows, calibration verification
and chromatographic analysis of samples. In addition, discussions regarding the instrument QC
requirements listed below can be found in the referenced sections of this method:
• The GC/MS must be tuned to meet the recommended DFTPP criteria prior to the
initial calibration and for each 12-hr period during which analyses are performed.
See Secs. 11.3.1 and 11.4.1 for further details.

The new versions, 8260C and 8270D have more expicit allowance of alternate tune criteria.

For answers to SW-846 method questions contact the MICE service at:
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/test/mice.htm
They are paid to answer your questions!

[AICMM]

ydm27,

As Steve notes, you have to hit DFTPP or BFB criteria. I would be very surprised if you could do this with a standard Agilent autotune, especially for DFTPP. I have always taken the autotune as a starting point to further refine source settings so I could pass criteria.

Best regards,

[Ron]

Most EPA methods specify meeting the tune criteria in the method or other criteria as specified by instrument manufacturer. Good luck in finding someone to specify something other than the EPA criteria.

A standard autotune generally won't work, but there are usually canned tunes to use for DFTPP and BFB.