Proficiency testing for organic solvents

Test gas stream

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Part of IFA's test gas stream
 Source: IFA

The proficiency testing (PT) scheme is offered alternatively with and without own sampling. Participants may choose whether they wish to perform sampling for organic solvents themselves, or to have the sample carriers supplied to them [1].

The concentrations to be measured depend on the occupational limit values (AGW) of the solvents. They will lie within the range of 1/100 to two times the AGW1 value.

The PT scheme consists of three runs with different substances and different concentrations in the test gas. The test gas will contain up to ten different organic solvents (examples see Table).


Examples of substance selection – Proficiency testing for organic solvents

Substance group Substances
Alkanes [1] cyclohexane, n-decane, n-heptane, n-hexane, methylcyclohexane, n-nonane, n-octane
Alcohols 2-butanol, i-butanol, n-butanol, cyclohexanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol
Aromates [2] cumene, ethylbenzene, propylbenzene, toluene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, o-/m-/p-xylene
Esters [3, 4] n-butyl acetate, i-butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, methyl methacrylate, n-propyl acetate, i-propyl acetate
Ethers [4] 2-butoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethyl acetate, 1,4-dioxane, 2-methoxy-1-methylethyl acetate, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, tetrahydrofuran
Ketones [6] Acetone, Butanone, Cyclohexanone, Cyclopentanone, 2,6-Dimethylheptan-4-one, Hexan-2-one, 4-Methylpentan-2-one

The substances can be analysed by means of the analysis methods according to IFA Arbeitsmappe No. 7732 [2], 7733 [3], 7322 [4], 7569 [5] resp 7708 [6]. (Please note: IFA Arbeitsmappe is available in German only.) The corresponding NIOSH methods 1500 [7], 1501 [8], 1400 [9], 1401 [10], 1403 [11], 1457 [12], may also apply.

1 Proficiency testing with own sampling

A large-scale dynamic test gas stream can be found at the IFA. It is suitable for parallel sampling by up to 25 participants.

  • When: 11th/12th February 2025
  • Where:
    Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung (IFA)
    Alte Heerstr. 111
    53757 Sankt Augustin
    Germany
  • Concentration range: 1/100 to two times the AGW1 value.
  • Number of test series: 3
  • Duration per test series: 2 hours plus preparation time and run-in period.
  • Accommodations: Hotels in Sankt Augustin (PDF, 45 kB, non-accessible)

The registration for the PT schemes with own sampling is valid for only one person per participating company or institution. If you would like to participate with more than one person, please contact us in advance.

Participants will receive detailed information on the PT scheme, a description of the apparatus, and the connections for the sampling devices in particular, in good time.

2 Proficiency testing without own sampling

The production of samples for volatile organic compounds is conducted at the dynamic test gas stream of the IFA.

The participants can choose between two sample carriers:

  1. Activated charcoal tubes NIOSH (Prod. No. 64 00742) manufactured by Dräger
  2. Activated charcoal tubes TYPE B/BIA (Prod. No. 64 00744) manufactured by Dräger

On request we will send ten unopened tubes of the same production batch at the price of 40 €.

Each participant receives a sample kit comprising:

  • three loaded sample carriers, and
  • two unloaded sample carriers for blank value adjustment.

1 The German acronym AGW stands for Arbeitsplatzgrenzwert (Occupational Exposure Limit value - OEL). For carcinogenic substances and substances without AGW the database GESTIS - International limit values for chemical agents (www.dguv.de/ifa/gestis-limit-values) is used.

Participation

Online registration

Proficiency testing 2025

Sources

[1] Ringversuch Organische Lösemittel (Kennzahl 1630-1) In: IFA-Arbeitsmappe Messung von Gefahrstoffen. Lieferung 01/2022

[2] Kohlenwasserstoffe, aliphatisch (Kennzahl 7732). In: IFA-Arbeitsmappe Messung von Gefahrstoffen. Lieferung 48/2011

[3] Kohlenwasserstoffe, aromatisch (Kennzahl 7733). In: IFA-Arbeitsmappe Messung von Gefahrstoffen. Lieferung 34/2005

[4] Essigsäureester (Kennzahl 7322). In: IFA-Arbeitsmappe Messung von Gefahrstoffen. Lieferung 42/2009

[5] Glykolester, Glykolether, Methacrylsäuremethylester (Kennzahl 7569). In: IFA-Arbeitsmappe Messung von Gefahrstoffen. Lieferung 01/2013

[6] Ketone (Kennzahl 7708) In: IFA-Arbeitsmappe Messung von Gefahrstoffen. Lieferung 34/2005

[7]HYDROCARBONS, BP 36°-216 °C (Method Number 1500). In: NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods 4th Edition

[8] HYDROCARBONS, AROMATIC (Method Number 1501). In: NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods 4th Edition

[9] ALCOHOLS I (Method Number 1400). In: NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods 4th Edition

[10] ALCOHOLS II (Method Number 1401). In: NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods 4th Edition

[11] ALCOHOLS IV (Method Number 1403). In: NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods 4th Edition

[12] ETHYL ACETATE (Method Number 1457). In: NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods 4th Edition

Contact

Department Chemical and Biological Hazards

Krista Gusbeth
Franziska Nürnberger
Ronja Schneck