Determination of tert-butyl alcohol in the air of the workplace by solvent desorption gas chromatography

Abstract

Objective: To establish solvent desorption gas chromatographic method for determination of tert-butyl alcohol in the air of the workplace. Methods: After tert-butyl alcohol in the air of the workplace collected with activated carbon tube and desorbed with 2% 2-propanol in CS2, and then separated with DB-FFAP capillary column and detected with flame ionization detector. Results: The linearity ranges were 0.6~2 264.0 mg/L. The limit of quantification was 0.6 mg/L. The determination has a good reproducibility. The intraassay and interassay precisions were 2.8%~3.2% and 3.8%~5.7%. The desorption efficiencies were 93.9%~98.1%. Absorption efficiencies were 95.8%~100.0%. The breakthrough volume was above 7.1 mg in 100mg activated carbon. The samples in activated carbon tube could be stored for at least 14 days at ambient temperature. Conclusion: The method is feasible for determination of tert-butyl alcohol in the air of the workplace.