ECD Venting - Is It Necessary?

[ChromatographyDude]

For those of you who have GC-ECD systems, do you vent the effluent gas stream from the detector to a fume hood? Or do you simply not worry about it? A new Varian GC dual ECD system we had installed last year wasn't setup with the ECD effluent being vented into a fume hood or out of the building. However, our older 5890 GC systems with ECD were vented into a fume hood. Just wondering if this is any sort of "legal" requirement, or is it enough to do an ECD swipe test every 1-2 years? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[CE Instruments]

What you do with the ECD effluent is entirely dependent on what compounds you run and the detection levels. Although the ECD contains a Nickel 63 source and needs a swipe test no radiation can vapourise out of the ECD. You compounds of interest will of course remain in the vapour phase, ECD is non destructive so whatever you have analysed will be put into your lab air
Running Dioxins and PCBs ? vent to a fume hood

[kahmark]

Most universities require venting of the ECD to a working fume hood. Our last auditor specifically asked about that. I would vent.