Addendum to PAL User Manual Installation and ... - PAL System

3.4. ITEX-2 Syringe and ITEX-2 Trap
Addendum to PAL System User Manual
PAL ITEX-2 Option
Contamination of the ITEX syringe has not yet been observed. The needle
connection is different from that used with the static headspace syringe.
Contamination due to glue out-gassing is eliminated by design.
Contamination of the trap can occur during the application or due to
insufficient cleaning. However, if certain rules are observed this risk can
be minimized.
• Sample from the gas phase only (not from the liquid layer)
• Extend the cleaning time (flush)
• Increase the trap temperature after thermal desorption to a higher
cleaning temperature. Observe the maximum temperature for the
trap material.
In case the trap material has been contaminated and cannot be cleaned by
applying reasonable effort, replace the trap. This only delays routine work
by a few minutes.
As described above in section F, point 5 ‘Cleaning the Trap’, is it necessary
to clean or condition a newly-installed trap first.
3.5. Sample Vial – Septum – Cap
Vial, septum and the cap can be contaminated by the laboratory environment.
When working in trace analysis, it is advisable to bake-out contaminants and
cool down in a protected atmosphere, such as by using a desiccator.
3.6. Contamination Summary
This list of possible sources of contamination is not complete. However, it
should help in identifying the main sources of contamination and gives ideas
of other areas to explore when faced with this problem.
42