Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds—Old, However, Actual Analytical and Toxicological Problem

Abstract

The interest in chlorinated volatile organic compounds is not a new task but still draws the attention of scientists. The role they play in human organism, is an important aspect to consider, since the development of analytical techniques and instrumental solutions gives new possibilities of their application in the analytics of volatile compounds and recognition of properties, so far impossible to achieve. Regarded mostly as xenobiotics, these compounds become a challenge for analysts aiming at sample preparation, which will ensure a high value of the analyte's enrichment factor, its determination on the lowest possible concentration level, without excluding the quality of analytical results. Current contributions review issues of environmental fate of halogenated compounds with a special emphasis on chlorinated volatiles, their toxicity, and bioaccumulation in living organisms. Focusing on analytical techniques, overviews include several sampling, preconcentration, and detection methods exemplified by measurements in air, water, and other matrices, including living organisms (e.g., human breath).