Taking the method of 4-AAP spectrophotometric for the determination of volatile phenols in water as an example,the detection limit and determination limit in the laboratory are determined in accordance with the national standards,taking into account the practical operability and the requirements of environmental management.The detection limit of extraction spectrophotometry is 0.000 3 mg/L,and the determination limits of it is 0.001 mg/L.The detection limit of direct spectrophotometry is 0.01 mg/L,as well as the determination limits of it is 0.04 mg/L.The determination of detection limit and determination limit can not only facilitate environmental monitoring workers to choose appropriate methods in practical work,but also have important significance for environmental management.