Pentachlorophenol. Determination in workplace air by means of high performance liquid chromatography

Abstract

Pentachlorophenol (PCF) in room temperature is a crystalline solid with phenol-like odor. It is soluble in most organic solvents (diethyl ether, acetone, carbon tetrachloride, methanol). It is slightly soluble in water. Pentachlorophenol is used as a fungicide, insecticide and as non-selective herbicide (defoliant) in cotton crops. It is also used as antimicrobial agent in leather, paper and textile industry. It has been widely used as wood preservative in wood and construction industry. Occupational exposure to pentachlorophenol may cause irritation of mucous membranes of the eyes and the upper respiratory tract and skin lesions. It may also lead to changes in the central nervous system like headache, insomnia, vertigo and depression. Acute poisoning may cause pulmonary edema, cardio-respiratory disorder and even death. Pentachlorophenol is also suspected to be carcinogenic to humans. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a sensitive method for determining pentachlorophenol concentrations in workplace air in the range from 1/10 to 2 MAC values, in accordance with the requirements of Standard No. PN-EN 482. The study was performed using a liquid chromatograph with spectrophotometric detection. All chromatographic analysis were performed with Zorbax SB-CN 250 × 4.6 mm analytical column, which was eluted with mixture of 0.1% phosphoric acid in acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid in water (6: 4 v/v). The method is based on the collection of pentachlorophenol on XAD 7 resin preceded by a glass fiber filter, extraction with methanol and chromatographic determination of resulted solution with HPLC technique. The method is linear (r = 0.9997) within the investigated working range 0.625–12.5 μg/ml (0.05–1.0 mg/m3 for a 25-L air sample). The calculated limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.014 μg/ml and 0.048 μg/ml, respectively. The average extraction efficiency of pentachlorophenol from filter and XAD 7 amounted to 95% and samples stored in refrigerator are stable for 14 days. The analytical method described in this paper enables determination of pentachlorophenol in workplace air. The method is precise, accurate and it meets the criteria for procedures for measuring chemical agents listed in Standard No. PN-EN 482. The method can be used for assessing occupational exposure to pentachlorophenol and associated risk to workers’ health. The developed method of determining pentachlorophenol has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see Appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.