Zastosowanie chromatografii gazowej do oznaczania 1,4-dioksanu w powietrzu na stanowiskach pracy

Abstract

1,4-Dioxane is a volatile liquid with a weak odor that dissolves well in water and most organic solvents. As a flammable liquid it poses a fire hazard. 1,4-Dioxane is unstable at increased temperature and pressure and can form explosive mixtures. It is mainly used as a solvent in the production of other chemicals, as a solvent for printing inks, coatings and adhesives, and as a laboratory reagent. According to the Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council (WE 1272/2008), 1,4-dioxane is classified as a carcinogen, flammable, eye and respiratory irritant. This article presents a method for the determination of 1,4-dioxane in workplace air, revised due to a proposed change in the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) value for this substance. The method involves adsorption of 1,4-dioxane on activated carbon, desorption with a mixture of propan-2-ol and carbon disulfide, and chromatographic analysis (GC-FID) of the resulting solution. The method allows for the determination of 1,4-dioxane in the concentration range of 2.2 to 44 mg/m3 (MAC 22 mg/m3 ) or 0.73 to 14.6 mg/m3 (MAC 7.3 mg/m3 ), i.e. 1/10 to 2 of the proposed value of the maximum allowable concentration. The method has been validated in accordance with PN-EN 482. This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.