Headspace sampling is an established technique
for quantitation of volatile organic compounds
in various types of samples. Since only gas
phase material is injected into the GC-MS, static
headspace sampling methods tend to be robust
and reliable ? this makes static headspace
methods well suited to high throughput
applications where large numbers of samples
need to be analysed routinely. Careful
optimisation of both chromatographic and
mass spectrometer parameters enables very
short cycle-times to be achieved, even with
complex samples. For a laboratory to best
exploit this capability, a high degree of
automation is needed. This article details the
development of an automated system for fast,
high capacity, static headspace analysis that is
capable of 24 hour unattended operation.