Miniaturized active air sampling method for the analysis of tire rubber pollutants from indoor and outdoor places

Abstract

An effective, quick and sustainable air analysis method was developed to analyse 41 volatiles and semi volatile organic compounds present in tire rubber and crumb rubber materials. The proposed method, based on active sampling using a sorbent material followed by an ultrasound assisted extraction, was developed with the aim of obtaining a fast and simple procedure to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plasticizers, antioxidants and vulcanisation agents in air. A small amount of sorbent (25 mg) was used, and the analytes were recovered in only 1 mL of solvent. An experimental design was applied to study the influence of main factors such as type of sorbent and type of solvent, extraction technique (ultrasound assisted extraction and vortex extraction), extraction time, as well as the factor interactions. Under optimal conditions, no breakthrough occurs in the studied interval (up to 4 m3 ). Linearity was demonstrated in a wide concentration range. Accuracy of the total sampling-extraction analysis was evaluated obtaining satisfactory recoveries as well as good precision. The method was successfully applied to different outdoor and indoor air environments, including a recycled rubber synthetic turf football pitch. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.