The study found that although these two adsorbents differed significantly from each other in adsorption properties, each of them could be successfully used for passive adsorption of ignitable liquids compounds. Tenax TA was more effective for the adsorption of nonpolar, high-boiling compounds; and Carbotrap was more effective for polar and volatile compounds. The two adsorbents differed in their susceptibility to thermal desorption. When Carbotrap 300 was used, an additional treatment was required to remove the remnants of adsorbed compounds after the analysis. When Tenax TA was used, this additional step was unnecessary, because the thermal desorption was sufficiently effective to allow the product to be immediately reused. If the adsorption temperature is properly set, Tenax TA is the more suitable adsorbent for trace amounts of common ignitable liquids. In order to compare the adsorption properties and the thermal desorption efficiency of the two adsorbents, the components of the test mixture were adsorbed and then chromatographically analyzed. The analysis was conducted with an automated thermal desorber coupled with a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer. A detailed description is provided of the equipment, materials, and methods used. 1 table, 4 figures, and 10 references