Comparison of sampling efficiency and storage stability on different sorbents for determination of solvents in occupational air

This study describes the sampling efficiency and storage stability of compounds typically present in occupational atmospheres on the sorbents Anasorb CSC, Anasorb 747, and Chromosorb 106. The selection of compounds included in the study contained aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, glycol ethers, ketones, and halogenated compounds, thus representing a wide range of chemical and physical properties. The different sorbent tubes were simultaneously exposed to the selected compounds as three different mixtures of solvent vapours in air, and storage both at room temperature and at -22 degrees C was investigated. The sorbent tubes were stored and analyzed at two different laboratories. The sampling efficiencies of all the investigated compounds were excellent on Anasorb CSC and Anasorb 747, while Chromosorb 106 did not give such good results for the most volatile compounds under study. The room temperature storage stability on Chromosorb 106, however, was good for all compounds, although formation of artefacts was observed during storage, a disadvantage that was substantially reduced by storage at -22 degrees C. The room temperature storage stability on Anasorb CSC was good for all compounds except some of the ketones. The room temperature storage stability of these ketones, especially cyclohexanone and 2-butanone, was much better on Anasorb 747, which still showed the same excellent storage stability for the remaining compounds. When stored in a freezer, the storage stability of all compounds, including the ketones, was very good on all sorbents. Among the sorbents under study, Anasorb 747 appears to be the most suitable all-round sorbent for monitoring volatile compounds in occupational air, with satisfactory capabilities regarding both sampling efficiency and storage stability.     

A Sampling and Analytical Method for Ethylene Glycol in Air

Abstract

A personal sampling and analytical method for ethylene glycol aerosol and vapor in air was developed and tested. The personal sampler contains a glass fiber filter followed by two sections of silica gel. Samples are analyzed by gas chromatography. Ethylene glycol vapor at concentrations ranging from 4.2 to 327 mg/m³ for 3-L air samples can be measured. Ethylene glycol can evaporate from the filter during air sampling at 25 °C and enter the silica gel tube.     

Determination of Trialkyl and Triaryl Phosphates by Narrow-bore Liquid Chromatography with On-line Thermionic Detection

Abstract

The potential of a previously reported on-line reversed-phase liquid chromatography-thermionic detector (LC–TID) system has been further evaluated. Several trialkyl (trimethyl to tri-octyl) and triaryl (triphenyl and tri-o-cresyl) phosphates were chosen as model compounds. LC was done on an alkyl-bonded silica column with methanol-water (80:20) at a flow-rate of 35—70μ/min as eluent. The band broadening in the interface-TID unit increased with decreasing volatility of the compounds and for the relatively non-volatile compounds, the band broadening decreased with increasing eluent flow-rate.

For most of the test compounds, detection limits of 40–100pg were obtained. As an illustration of the high selectivity of the LC[sbnd]TID system, the trace-level determination of two aryl phosphates in sediment samples is reported.     

Evaluation of a passive air sampler for measuring indoor formaldehyde.

A passive air sampler, using 4-amino-3-hydrazino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole, was evaluated for the determination of formaldehyde in indoor environments. Chromatography paper cleaned using a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution was experimentally determined as being the optimum absorption filter for the collection of formaldehyde (0.05 microg cm(-2) formaldehyde). From a linear-regression analysis between the mass of formaldehyde time-collected on a passive air sampler and the formaldehyde concentration measured by an active sampler, the sampling rate of the passive air sampler was 1.52 L h(-1). The sampling rate, determined for the passive air sampler in relation to the temperature (19 - 28 degrees C) and the relative humidity (30 - 90%), were 1.56 +/- 0.04 and 1.58 +/- 0.07 L h(-1), respectively. The relationship between the sampling rate and the air velocity was a linear-regression within the observed range. In the case of exposed samplers, the stability of the collected formaldehyde decreased with increasing storage time (decrease of ca. 25% after 22 days); but with the unexposed samplers the stability of the blank remained relatively unchanged for 7 days (decrease of ca. 37% after 22 days). The detection limits for the passive air sampler with an exposure time of 1 day and 7 days were 10.4 and 1.48 microg m(-3), respectively.     

Concept and validation of a novel approach for producing large batches of reference material of ambient aerosols on filters

A novel method for preparing reference material of aerosol particulate matter (PM) on filters was developed by using the concept of very high volume, multiport sampling, and this was subsequently applied to produce more than 300 well-characterised units. The dedicated sampler built for this purpose features a 0.94-m-diameter, vacuum-tight main chamber with a total of 349 monitor ports, each holding a 37-mm-diameter, cellulose acetate–nitrate ester (CA) membrane filter with a nominal pore size of 0.8 m. At a pressure difference of about 130 hPa across the filter cassettes, the total initial air flow rate was 350 m³ h^–1 (1.0 m³ h^–1 per filter). Investigations into the variability of filter parameters showed that the flow resistance of CA filters is mostly determined by and proportional to their blank mass, with a mean uncertainty of about 5%. Total suspended particulate matter (TSP) was sampled for a total of 50 h using 349 selected filters with a relatively narrow spread in blank mass. The mean TSP mass per filter thus produced was 3.35 mg. Corrected for small differences in blank mass of the filters, the normalised aerosol masses per filter of 96% of the samples exhibited normal distributions with standard deviations of only 2.1 and 3.4%, depending on details of the normalisation procedure. Within the limits of the technique, a variation of aerosol mass with radial distance from the centre of the sampler is not clearly evident. The results provide evidence that the multiport approach allows large batches of particulate matter on filters to be produced in a reliable manner.     

Synthesis of Some Mixed Dialkyl Phosphites and their Use as Forerunners for Potential Chiral Phosphates

Abstract

Organophosphorus compounds containing a c h i d ccntrc at the P atom are of considerable interest fiom a stcreochemical point of view. Accordingly, trialkyl phosphates (RO)(RIO)(R20)P(0) (4) were synthesized starting from dialkyl phosphites. Thus: direct hydrolysis of dialkyl phosphites (ROhP(0)H (1) with tetraethylammonium hydroxide (20% aqueous solution), followed by extraction with dichloromethane affords the corresponding tetraethylammonium alkyl hydrogen phosphitcs (2). Good yields (q) of mixed dialkyl phosphites (3) were obtained on heating stoichiometric amounts of (2) and alkyl iodides in acetonitrile solution at 6O°C, for 6 hrs. Mixed dialkyl phosphites (3) were used in synthesis of some trialkyl phosphates (4) by PTC (see scheme).     

Passive sampling of airborne furan indoors by solid-phase microextraction

Furan may be formed in food under heat treatment and is highly suspected to appear in indoor air. The possible exposure to indoor furan raises concerns because it has been found to cause carcinogenicity and cytotoxicity in animals. To determine airborne furan, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique was utilised as a diffusive sampler. The Carboxen/Polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS, 75 μm) fibre was used, and the SPME fibre assembly was inserted into a polytetrafluoroethene tubing. Furan of known concentrations was generated in Tedlar gas bags for the evaluation of SPME diffusive samplers. After sampling, the sampler was inserted into the injection port of a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC/MS) for thermal desorption and analysis. Validation of the SPME device with active sampling by charcoal tube was performed side by side as well. The charcoal tube was desorbed by acetone before analysis with GC/MS. The experimental sampling constant of the sampler was found equal to (9.93 ± 1.28) × 10^?3 (cm³ min^?1) at 25°C. Furthermore, side-by-side validations between SPME device and charcoal tube showed linear relationship with r = 0.9927. The designed passive sampling device for furan has the advantages of both passive sampling and SPME technique and looks suitable for assessing indoor air quality.     

Thermal and spectroscopic characterization of a triaryl phosphate hydraulic fluid

The thermal stability of a commercial triaryl phosphate hydraulic fluid has been assessed using thermogravimetry and pyrolysis. This material is a mixture of triaryl phosphates containing a predominance of triphenyl phosphate. It is volatile at higher temperatures. At temperatures below its boiling point, in the presence of air, it slowly decomposes to evolve phenolic fragments.     

Evaluation of a passive sampler for airborne formaldehyde

Summary A diffusive sampler for the large scale routine determination of airborne formaldehyde was developed. Formaldehyde is sampled in a badge-type passive sampler containing a 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-coated filter paper as sampling layer. Formaldehyde is immediately converted to the corresponding hydrazone, which, after desorption with acetonitrile, is separated and quantified by gradient HPLC using UV detection at 345 nm. Calibration was done via an active sampling method and showed an excellent, time- and concentration-independent linear performance of the diffusive samplers. A detection limit of about 0.05 ml/m³·h (ppm·h) and a relative standard deviation of about 10% ensured a good analytical reliability. By testing the influence of air movements at the sampler surface, a minimum air velocity of 10 cm/s was found necessary to ensure representative sampling.     

Analyses of Procymidone and Vinclozolin in Greenhouse Air

Abstract

A method for sampling and analysis of procymidone and vinclozolin in greenhouse air was investigated. The behaviour of Chromosorb 102, Porapak R, Supelpak-2, Amberlite XAD-2, Amberlite XAD-4 and polyurethane foam (PUF) as sorbents was studied. Atmospheres containing known concentrations of these pesticides were generated. The desorption process of the analytes, concentration step and behaviour of sorbents in air with different relative humidities were tested. No breakthrough was observed in the range of concentrations studied.

Personal samplers were used with the selected sorbent (PUF), for sampling procymidone and vinclozolin in an experimental greenhouse. GC-ECD analysis and MS confirmation were performed. The dissipation process of the analytes in the 24 h period after application was studied.     

Analysis of Atmospheric Aerosols by Atomic Emission Spectrometry with Electrical Discharge Sampling

A procedure has been developed for the determination of the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cd) in atmospheric air by atomic emission spectrometry with gas-discharge sampling onto the end of a standard carbon electrode. A design of a two-section sampler is proposed; the sampler provides the rapid determination of deposition factors for heavy metals contained in aerosol particles deposited onto the end of a carbon electrode. Examples of determining metal concentrations in a model sample of air and in atmospheric air and determination limits of metals deposited onto the end of a carbon electrode are given.     

Determination of hexamethylene-based isocyanates in spray-painting operations. Part 1. Evaluation of a polyurethane foam sponge sampler

A polyurethane foam (PUF) sponge was mounted in a cassette sampler and evaluated as a sorbent for the collection of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) monomer and HDI-based oligomers. Recovery studies indicated 112 +/- 34% average recovery of HDI monomer and 92 +/- 9% and 97 +/- 25% average recovery of HDI-based oligomers when using impregnated PUF sponges. The PUF sponge was also evaluated during actual spray-painting operations. In a series of side-by-side sampling events, an impinger filled with 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (MOP) in toluene was compared directly with a cassette sampler containing a PUF sponge impregnated with MOP or 1-(9-anthracenylmethyl)piperazine (MAP) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). For the analysis of HDI-based oligomer, there is no significant difference (p < 0.05, n = 7) in the air concentration when sampling with either the PUF sponge cassette or the impinger. The results are significant because they indicate that a PUF sponge, which is more convenient than an impinger, may be used for the collection of HDI-based oligomer generated during spray-painting operations.     

The Reactivity of Mn(II) and Ti(IV) Dialkylamides with Organophosphorus Esters

Abstract

Treatment of dialkyl (or diaryl) phosphites with titanium tetrakis-(diethylamide) at room temperature resulted in a smooth displacement of both ester functions by the diethylamino groups to give bis(diethylamino) phosphorus acid (58–65%). The same results are obtained at ?40° and no evidence of an intermediate product was detected using ¹H n.m.r. techniques. Treatment of dimethyl phosphite with titanium tetrakis(n-dibutylamide) resulted in isolation of two products which were identified as bis-(n-dibylamino) phosphorus acid (52%) and methyl-(n-dibutylamino) phosphorus acid (21%). On the other hand, trialkyl (triaryl) phosphates are inert to the titanium reagents.     

Nickel-catalyzed amination of aryl phosphates through cleaving aryl C-O bonds

The amination of triaryl phosphates was achieved using a Ni(II)-(σ-Aryl) complex/NHC catalyst system in dioxane at 110 °C in the presence of NaH as base. Electron-neutral, -rich, and -deficient triaryl phosphates were coupled with a wider range of amine partners including cyclic and acyclic secondary amines, aliphatic primary amines, and anilines in good to excellent yields.     

Zirconium(IV) compounds as efficient catalysts for synthesis of alpha-aminophosphonates

Zirconium(IV) compounds are reported as excellent catalysts for a three-component one-pot reaction of an amine, an aldehyde or a ketone, and a di/trialkyl/aryl phosphite to form alpha-aminophosphonates under solvent-free conditions at rt. Among the various zirconium compounds, ZrOCl2 x 8 H2O and ZrO(ClO4)2 x 6 H2O were most effective. The reactions were faster with dialkyl/diaryl phosphites than with trialkyl/triaryl phosphites. No O-Me cleavage occurs with aryl methyl ether and methyl ester groups. alpha,beta-Unsaturated carbonyl moiety does not undergo conjugate addition with the phorphorous moiety.     

Enantiomeric monoterpene emissions from natural and damaged Scots pine in a boreal coniferous forest measured using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

In order to develop a valuable method for accurate screening of biogenic emissions from undisturbed living plants or for plant-insect interactions, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been combined with dynamic branch enclosure cuvettes and enantioselective GC/MS. The study was conducted at Hyyti?l? forest station, Finland within a boreal coniferous forest dominated by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). The SPME method was optimized for monoterpenes by testing three fibre coatings: polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) and carbowax/divinylbenzene (CW/DVB) and determining the optimum exposure time. The PDMS/DVB fibre was found to be most suitable and was used to characterize emissions of P. sylvestris enclosed in dynamic branch enclosure cuvettes by exposure for 1 min followed by desorption and separation on a beta-cyclodextrin column installed in the GC/MS oven. Dynamic cuvette measurements have been compared to static headspace SPME samples of the emission of detached needles from the same tree species and a portable dynamic air sampler (PDAS)-SPME for sampling the ambient air around the same trees. The method developed has allowed an accurate characterization of the gaseous emission of P. sylvestris and the identification of 17 isoprenoids comprising chiral and achiral monoterpenes. Two chemotypes of Scots pine can be differentiated through their emission of (+)-delta-3-carene. While SPME-dynamic cuvette, portable dynamic sampler and absorbent results agreed well, significant differences in enantiomeric ratios were observed in natural emissions and those of damaged leaves. Therefore, in enantioselective studies of plant-insect and/or plant-plant interactions, the two enantiomers of a given monoterpene should be treated as two separate substances.     

Validation and modelling of a novel diffusive sampler for determining concentrations of volatile organic compounds in air

A novel diffusive sampler that combines radial and axial diffusion has been developed that improves upon existing commercially available designs. The POcket Diffusive (POD) sampler has been validated under laboratory and field conditions for the measurements of VOCs in ambient air. Laboratory tests varied sampling conditions of temperature (−30–40 C), humidity (10–80%), wind velocity (0.1–4 m s⁻¹), and concentration (0.5–50 μg m⁻³) for a number of specific VOCs. An overall uncertainty of circa 9% for the measurement of benzene is calculated for the validation tests, in compliance with the data quality objectives of the EU air quality directive 2008/50/EC. A semi-empirical diffusion model has been developed to estimate sampling rates for compounds that were not tested, and for conditions outside of tested ranges during validation. The diffusion model (and validation tests) shows a low influence of environmental conditions on the sampling rate for the POD sampler. Average reproducibility values of circa 3% are reported with overall sampling uncertainties ranging from 9% to 15%, for the whole range of tested conditions, depending on the compound. The adsorbent cartridge is compatible with existing thermal desorption systems in the market. The diffusive sampler can modify the sampling rate by changing the diffusive body within a range of different porosities. Field tests, conducted in parallel with independent quality controlled canister sampling, confirmed the ease of use and quality of VOC measurements with the POD sampler, for compounds that were, and were not, evaluated during laboratory tests.     

Multi-layer cartridges filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the determination of volatile organic compounds in indoor air.

A kind of new multi-layer adsorbent including Tenax TA/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/Carboxen 564 was developed for collecting volatile organic compounds. The adsorption and desorption efficiencies of 11 kinds of adsorbents (including Activated charcoal, Tenax TA, Carboxen 564, Chromosorb 101, Chromosorb 102, Chromosorb 103, Chromosorb 105, Porapak Q, GDX 301, XAD-2, and MWCNTs) were compared. By combining the advantages of Tenax TA, MWCNTs, and Carboxen 564, new type of multi-layer adsorbents was developed. The adsorption and desorption efficiency, the sampling reproducibility, and the effect of water were improved using multi-layer adsorbents, Tenax TA/MWCNTs/Carboxen 564. New multi-layer adsorbents were successfully applied to the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air.     

Adamantane-like aluminum amide-phosphate from alumazene

A dealkylsilylation reaction between alumazene [2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(3)NAlMe](3) (1) and tris(trimethylsilyl) ester of phosphoric acid (2) in a 1:3 molar ratio provides the heteroadamantane molecule (MeAl)[2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(3)N](3)[Al[OP(OSiMe(3))(3)]](2)(O(3)POSiMe(3)) (3). Compound 3 was characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods, and its molecular structure was established by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment. Moreover, trialkyl and triaryl phosphates and dialkyl phosphonates react with 1 at elevated temperature to afford an intractable mixture of products. The reaction of phosphonic acids with 1 proceeds under decomposition to yield 2,6-diisopropylaniline and aluminophosphonates.     

Iron, manganese, copper and titanium in welding fume dust on filters for internal and external quality assurance

Summary Filters charged with welding fume dust were developed and produced for internal and external quality assurance to evaluate and improve the performance of analytical methods used for monitoring iron, manganese, copper and titanium in the working environment. The filters were simultaneously loaded, using a Sputnic air sampling unit containing 100 cellulose nitrate filters. The welding fume dust was collected in industrial working conditions where Metal Inert Gas welding in construction steel was being carried out. The metal concentrations on the filters were close to the metal concentrations from environmental and industrial exposure. The homogeneity of the filter materials was evaluated to document the suitability of the air sampler in producing quality control materials. The filters were homogeneous within 5.0–12.7% according to amount of metal. The welding fume dust loaded on the filters was (0.2021±0.0093 mg/filter) and the amounts of metals loaded on the filters were (34.6±6.4 g/filter, 16.0±0.8 g/filter, 2.4±0.1 g/filter) for iron, manganese and titanium, respectively. Normalizing the amount of metal according to the welding fume dust improved the homogeneity. The most satisfactory results were obtained for manganese and titanium, for which within batch variation was below 6.3%. The Sputnic air sampler was shown to be suitable in preparing quality control materials, although a few improvements are needed for future experiments, such as the method of charging the dust and rules for outlier exclusion.