Development of methods for sampling and analysis of polychlorinated naphthalenes in ambient air

Abstract

The development of methods for sampling and analysis of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCN) in ambient air was undertaken since PCN's, which are used as engine oil additives, have been found in a variety of environmental media, e.g., a drainage ditch in South Florida near an airport overhaul hanger. PCN's were collected on a glass fiber filter (GFF) and two precleaned polyurethane foam (PUF) plugs in tandem. PCN's were triply extracted from PUF and GFF with toluene at 25/sup 0/C. Samples were analyzed by a quadrupole gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/computer method which permitted detection of 0.3 ng/cu m of one PCN isomer. PCN's were detected in air near a PCN manufacturing site at an average concentration of 150 and 1400 ng/cu m during two successive 24 hr sampling periods. Although all isomers were observed, mono-, di-, and trichloronaphthalene accounted for 27, 31, and 37% of the total, respectively. The first PUF plug contained 93% of the PCN's with the remainder appearing on the GFF and second PUF plug. PCN levels of 9.8-33 ng/cu m were also detected at a PCN user site.