Carbon hollow tubes are Introduced as preconcentrators for atmospheric organic compounds. The technique has a demonstrated range of applicability for stable compounds having boiling points between 90 and 235 °C. Studies Indicate a linear response from 3 to 770 ng/sample. The collector's capacity was found to range from 0.4 to 2.6 µ depending on the compound being adsorbed. The method has been used to determine diffusion coefficients of organic air analytes and to record organic component patterns.