2-Ethylhexan-1-ol Determination in working air

Abstract

2-Ethylhexan-1-ol (2-EH) is a colorless liquid that is poorly soluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents. On an industrial scale, 2-Ethylhexanol is produced in the aldol condensation of n-butyraldehyde. It is mainly used as an alcohol component in manufacturing ester plasticizers for soft poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The aim of this study was to develop a method for determining concentrations of 2-ethylhexan-1-ol in workplace air in the range from 0.54 to 10.8 mg/m3, in accordance with the requirements of Standard No. EN 482. The study was performed using a gas chromatograph (GC) with a flame ionization detector (FID) equipped with a capillary column Stabilwax (60 m × 0.32 mm, 0.5 μm). The method is based on the adsorption of 2-ethylhexan-1-ol vapours on activated charcoal, desorption with dichloromethane and GC-FID analysis. The use of Stabilwax column enabled selective determination of 2-ethylhexan-1-ol in the presence of other substances. The measurement range was from 0.013 to 0.26 mg/ml for a 24-L air sample. The limit of detection was 8.05 ng/ml and the limit of quantification was 24.14 ng/ml. This 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 2-ethylhexan-1-ol and associated risk to workers’ health. The developed method of determining 2-ethylhexan- 1-ol has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see appendix).