Abstract
Abstract Over a period of years, trace organic analysis of Scottish river water and fish samples using gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) has often shown the presence of a component with similar elution properties to diethylphthalate and with a dominant ion in the mass spectrum at m/z 71. Closer investigation of this material has now shown it to be 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentandiol diisobutyrate (common name Texanol isobutyrate), a widely-used industrial chemical marketed as Kodaflex TXIB with applications as a plasticiser, cross-linking agent and lubriciant. The origin of TXIB in analytical samples has been traced to contamination during solvent evaporation operations and it is suggested that a possible source of the chemical might be by slow release into the laboratory atmosphere from vinyl floor coverings. A summary is given of other common contaminants which were identified in the course of these investigations. The genuine occurrence of such materials in environmental samples is not ruled out but these findings highlight the need for rigorous quality assurance in environmental trace analysis if reported levels are to be truly meaningful. A brief assessment of the environmental significance of TXIB is provided.
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