1,2-Dichloroethane. Determination in workplace air

Abstract

1,2-Dichloroethane is a colorless, highly flammable liquid with a chloroform-like odor. This substance is used in industry as an intermediate in the production of vinyl chloride, but it is also used in the production of other chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is also used as a solvent. 1,2-Dichloroethane is carcinogenic for humans. The aim of this study was to develop a method for determining concentrations of 1,2-dichloroethane in the workplace air in the range from 1/10 to 2 MAC values (0.82–16.4 mg/m3). The study was performed using a gas chromatograph (GC) with a flame ionization detector (FID) equipped with a capillary column HP-1 (50 m x 0.32 mm; 0.3 μm). The method is based on the adsorption of 1,2-dichloroethane on activated charcoal, desorption of analyzed compound with carbon disulfide and analysis of obtained solution with GC-FID. The use of HP-1 column enabled selective determination of 1,2-dichloroethane in a presence of other substances. The average desorption coefficient of 1,2-dichloroethane from charcoal was 0.98. The method is linear (r = 0.9999) within the investigated working range from 9.84 to 196.8 μg/ml, which is equivalent to air concentrations from 0.82 to 16.4 mg/m3 for a 12-L air sample. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were to 2.284 μg/ml and 6.85 μg/ml, respectively. The analytical method described in this paper enables selective determination of 1,2-dichloroethane in workplace air in presence of other substances at concentrations from 0.82 mg/m3 (1/10 MAC value). The method is precise, accurate and it meets the criteria for procedures for measuring chemical agents listed in Standard No. EN 482. The method can be used for assessing occupational exposure to 1,2-dichloroethane and associated risk to workers’ health. The developed method of determining 1,2-dichloroethane has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see appendix).