Brown and Caldwell Laboratories has developed a rapid screening technique for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in groundwater. The technique determines the total concentration on VOCs in a sample in as few as 30 sec. Sensitivity ranges from 10 to 100 mg./1 VOC with virtual elimination of carryover from sample to sample. The technique is readily adapted to be selective for aromatic VOCs or for halogen-, nitrogen-, or phosphorous-containing VOCs. The technique involves the direct transfer of purged VOCs from an aqueous sample into a gas chromatographic detector. The flame ionization detector (FID) is used for total VOCs. Selective detectors are used for VOCs containing specific functionality. Results are semi-quantitative. An appropriate VOC is used as an external calibration standard.