Determination of trichlorobenzene in workplace air by solvent desorption gas chromatography

Abstract

Objective: To develop a solvent desorption-gas chromatography method for determination of trichlorobenzene in workplace air. Methods: Trichlorobenzene in workplace air were captured by Sampling tube consisting of glass fiber filter and solvent desorption activated carbon and desorbed with carbon disulfide, separated through capillary chromatographic column, and then analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector. Results: The linear ranges of 1, 2, 3-trichlorobenzene, 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene and 1, 3, 5-trichlorobenzene were 12.20-1220.00, 16.60-1660.00 and 14.80-1480.00 μg/L, respectively, and the related coefficients were between 0.99946 to 0.99948. The relative standard deviations (RSD) within the groups of 1, 2, 3-trichlorobenzene, 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene and 1, 3, 5-trichlorobenzene were 1.96%-2.68%, 1.73%-2.82% and 1.81%-2.56%, respectively, and the RSD between the groups were 3.27%-4.25%, 2.85%-4.83% and 3.46%-4.43%, respectively. The average recovery efficiencies were 92.4%, 92.0% and 93.6%, respectively. The minimum quantification concentrations were 0.81, 1.53 and 1.18 μg/m(3), respectively (3 ml desorption solution, 15.00 L sample) . The samples could be stored at room temperature for at least 5 days. Conclusion: This method could be used for monitoring of 1, 2, 3-trichlorobenzene, 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene and 1, 3, 5-trichlorobenzene in workplace air.