Increasing Sensitivity in the Determination of Volatile Organics in Toys with Headspace Trap-GC/MS

The safety of toys has gained publicity on a global scale, with numerous recalls and new regulations. One aspect of toys which needs to be considered under European Union regulations (EN-71) is the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds, such as benzene and toluene, are residual after the manufacture of various types of polymers, additives and coatings. VOCs are potentially hazardous to the health of children if present at high levels in toys. As a result, it is necessary to accurately determine the level of VOCs in toys to ensure safety. This application note will present an approach developed to measure VOCs at low levels using headspace trap (HS Trap) sample introduction with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).