If you’ve had your laboratory run low-level polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or other low level analyses, chances are you have heard of Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy- Selective Ion Monitoring (GC/MS-SIM). Over the years clients have asked us “What’s the difference between GC/MS-Full Scan and GC/MS-SIM?” To address this question we must start with the basics. (For our example we will be talking about a standard quadrupole mass spectrometer using electron ionization.)

GC/MS is an instrumental analytical technique comprised of a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer. In general, the GC is used to separate complex chemical mixtures into individual components. Once separated, the chemicals can be identified and quantified by the mass spectrometer.

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