Total Organic Carbon (TOC) sampling is a crucial aspect of water quality testing in thepharmaceutical industry.
It helps ensure that water used in manufacturing processes meets the required standards for purity and is free from organic contaminants.
The TOC sampling bottle must be properly prepared by rinsing it with hydrochloric acid (HCl) a day before the actual sampling. This ensures that any potential organic residues or contaminants are eliminated.
Dedicated bottles only used for TOC
In the lab, the TOC bottle should be color coded because it is only used for TOC.
When collecting the TOC sample, ensure the water flows slowly. This helps in capturing an accurate sample without introducing air bubbles.
The water should not flow out of the rim of the bottle. Overflowing can lead to contamination or inaccurate volume collection.
Before collecting the final sample, rinse the sampling bottle 2 to 3 times with the sample water.
After rinsing, fill the bottle with sample water, ensuring no gaps or excessive air remain in the bottle.
As soon as the bottle is filled, close the cap tightly to avoid any external contamination.
Once capped, wrap the top of the bottle with Parafilm to ensure an additional layer of protection and prevent any leakage during transport.
The TOC sample should be transferred to the laboratory as soon as possible for analysis.
Delays in transporting the sample could result in organic compounds breaking down orfurther contamination.