TERA Environnement is providing its analytical expertise to a study on domestic natural gas in Europe
Analysis of organic compounds in kitchen exhaust gases: expertise dedicated to scientific research
From 2023 to 2024, TERA Environnement assisted PSE in the characterization of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study is part of a research effort aimed at better understanding their chemical composition as well as their potential impacts on climate change and indoor air quality.
The study was conducted in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Italy, where gas leak measurements from turned-off stoves were taken in 35 households, and 78 samples of unburned gas were analyzed.
An appropriate sampling strategy: use of canisters
Gas samples from stoves were collected using canisters, devices recognized for their reliability in collecting gas samples. This sampling method allows for the capture and preservation of compounds present in the air or gases without significant alteration, thereby ensuring the representativeness of laboratory analyses.
The use of canisters is particularly suitable for studies involving volatile organic compounds and sulfur-containing compounds, largely due to their chemical inertness.
As part of this study, TERA Environnement analyzed the following compounds:
- Permanent gases: Methane, ethane, nitrogen, oxygen
- BTEX: Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes
- Mercaptans and sulfur compounds
- Alkanes
- Other compounds identified through screening
Analyses using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (OL GC MS)
The canisters collected in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Italy were then shipped to the TERA Environnement laboratory in France and analyzed using OL GC-MS, a gold-standard technique for the separation and quantification of organic compounds. This approach made it possible to identify and measure various VOCs present in gas stove combustion emissions.
A contribution to international research
The findings of this study were included in an international scientific paper recently published online in the scientific journal Environmental Research Letters : « Benzene and other hazardous air pollutants in consumer-grade natural gas in Europe »
Read the article « Benzene and other hazardous air pollutants in consumer-grade natural gas in Europe » :
This paper highlights the importance of better characterizing emissions from domestic activities, particularly those occurring indoors, and paves the way for a better understanding of their effects on air quality and health, as well as their contribution to methane-induced climate change.
According to the authors of the article « Benzene and other hazardous air pollutants in consumer-grade natural gas in Europe », the analyses revealed, in particular:
- the significant presence of benzene in indoor air, a compound recognized as a carcinogen
- levels of odorous sulfur compounds that are often too low—compounds that enable the detection of potential gas leaks
TERA Environnement’s expertise: a comprehensive range of services
This project demonstrates TERA Environnement’s ability to address complex issues by combining:
- appropriate sampling techniques and the provision of sampling materials,
- expertise in the analysis of complex gas mixtures,
- state-of-the-art analytical methods,
- personalized support for our clients on custom projects in France or abroad.
Our expertise in the analysis of organic compounds on canisters enables us to support our clients in their most demanding projects.
TERA Environnement, your go-to partner for canister analysis of a wide range of compounds, suitable for all your gaseous matrices
The canister is a highly versatile sampling tool suitable for a wide range of applications in the field of gas and air analysis.
It is used, in particular, in studies of odor pollution or for collecting soil gases during environmental investigations. Its ability to preserve a representative sample makes it a reliable solution for characterizing compounds present in trace amounts.
The canister is also of significant value for the collection and analysis of permanent gases. These analyses are particularly useful for monitoring industrial processes, environmental monitoring, air quality assessment, and the control of gaseous emissions. When combined with appropriate analytical techniques, the canister thus enables a complete characterization of the composition of a gas sample, whether it consists of volatile organic compounds or permanent gases.
Le prélèvement sur canister permet également la mesure des chlorofluorocarbures (CFC) et hydrochlorofluorocarbures (HCFC). L’analyse des CFC Canister sampling also allows for the measurement of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The analysis of CFCs and HCFCs is useful for environmental monitoring, monitoring industrial sites, detecting refrigerant leaks, and assessing the impact of these substances on the atmosphere.
Explore our range of services, including testing, specimen collection kit supply, and equipment rental.
Do you have any questions or do you need a quote? Contact us to find out more about our analysis services.
TERA Environnement has over 20 years of experience in air testing and contamination control!
