Accurately analyzing aldehydes and ketones in air samples is an important component of monitoring projects for controlling air pollution and protecting human health. These carbonyls in the air come from industrial and automotive emissions, are ozone precursors of smoke, and are closely related to respiratory and lung diseases. In addition, specific carbonyl compounds - formaldehyde and acetaldehyde - have been identified as known or suspected carcinogens. Prior to analysis, aldehydes and ketones collected from a sampling tube filled with silica gel coated with 2,4- * hydrazine (DNPH) were converted into hydrazine derivatives. Then, the DNPH derivatives of aldehydes/ketones were eluted from the sampling tube with solvent and analyzed by HPLC-UV. Usually, the LC method for carbonyl groups requires a long analysis time (usually exceeding one hour) and often lacks sufficient resolution for certain DNPH derivatives of aldehydes/ketones.

In order to help the laboratory improve the analysis speed and accuracy of aldehydes and ketones in the air, Restek has developed a new chromatographic method, including LC columns, instrument conditions, and certified reference materials, to achieve baseline separation of DNPH derivatives of aldehydes/ketones in just a few minutes, improving the speed and accuracy of laboratory analysis of aldehydes and ketones in the air.

Similarly, the CARB 1004 method for analyzing aldehydes and ketones in the air requires a very long analysis time; In fact, this method requires two independent chromatographic analyses to quantify all compounds.

Both Restek methods use conventional 400 bar chromatography systems. By using Raptor LC column and Restek's air aldehyde ketone standard substance, compared with traditional chromatographic columns and methods, rapid and efficient analysis of aldehydes and ketones in air is achieved, which improves sample flux.