Abstract
A canister-based sampling method along with preconcentrator-Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was applied to ethylene oxide (EtO or EO) and 75 other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air. Ambient air can contain a large variety of VOCs, and thorough analysis requires non-discriminatory sampling and a chromatographic method capable of resolving a complex mixture. Canister collection of whole air samples allows for the collection of a wide range of volatile compounds, while the simultaneous analysis of ethylene oxide and other VOCs allows for faster throughput than separate methods. The method presented is based on US EPA Method TO-15A and allows for the detection of EtO from 18 to 2500 pptv. The method has an average accuracy of 104% and precision of 13% relative standard deviation (RSD), with an instrument run time of 32 min. In addition, a link between canister cleanliness and ethylene oxide growth is observed, and potential mechanisms and cleaning strategies are addressed.
Highlights
Ethylene oxide (EO or EtO) is a commonly used intermediate in chemical manufacturing, with 20 million tons produced worldwide in 2009 [1]
In this paper we cover a sampling and analysis approach for EtO based on United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method TO-15A [21], using canister sampling followed by preconcentration-Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-mass spectrometry (MS))
All standards and blanks were made in 6L SilcoCan air canisters (Restek Corporation, Bellefonte, PA, USA) using zero air humidified to 50% relative humidity (RH) using deionized water, matching the suggested fill gas and humidification levels suggested in TO-15A [21]
Summary
Ethylene oxide (EO or EtO) is a commonly used intermediate in chemical manufacturing, with 20 million tons produced worldwide in 2009 [1]. In this paper we cover a sampling and analysis approach for EtO based on US EPA Method TO-15A [21], using canister sampling followed by preconcentration-GC-MS The goal of this manuscript is to provide a method suitable for testing EtO at pptv levels, while simultaneously evaluating other common contaminants in ambient air. The method was revised to address many of the long-standing and common issues associated with TO-15 Some of those short-comings, which are relevant to the current manuscript, include but are not limited to: Relatively long GC run times on non-ideal GC phases and/or column dimensions; a lack of guidance/discussion on proper canister humidity levels, canister fill gases, canister hold times; and how many of the aforementioned variables can result in significant biases for VOC sampling with canisters. Potential cleaning strategies are discussed to mitigate these issues and allow for more confidence in low level EtO quantitation
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