Measurement of toxic volatile organic compounds in indoor air of semiconductor foundries using multisorbent adsorption/thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
A method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air of class-100 clean rooms at semiconductor fabrication facilities was developed. Air samples from two semiconductor factories were collected each hour on multisorbent tubes (including Carbopack B, Carbopack C, and Carbosieve SIII) with a 24-h automatic active sampling system and analyzed using adsorption/thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Experimental parameters, including thermal desorption temperature, desorption time, and cryofocusing temperature, were optimized. The average recoveries and the method detection limits for the target compounds were in the range 94-101% and 0.31-0.89 ppb, respectively, under the conditions of a 1 L sampling volume and 80% relative humidity. VOCs such as acetone, isopropyl alcohol, 2-heptanone, and toluene, which are commonly used in the semiconductor and electronics industries, were detected and accurately quantified with the established method. Temporal variations of the analyte concentrations observed were attributed to the improper use of organic solvents during operation.
Wu
Chien-Hou
CH
Department of Atomic Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
Lin
Ming-Nan
MN
Feng
Chien-Tai
CT
Yang
Kuang-Ling
KL
Lo
Yu-Shiu
YS
Lo
Jiunn-Guang
JG
D019840:2-Propanol / Q000032:analysis; D000096:Acetone / Q000032:analysis; D000327:Adsorption; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007221:Industry; D007659:Ketones / Q000032:analysis; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D012666:Semiconductors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012997:Solvents; D013696:Temperature; D014050:Toluene / Q000032:analysis; D014835:Volatilization
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D007659:Ketones; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012997:Solvents; D000096:Acetone; D014050:Toluene; C011917:2-heptanone; D019840:2-Propanol