A solvent-free sampling method for airborne toluene diisocyanate

Summary A useful method of sampling and measurement of toluene diisocyanate concentration in atmosphere is described. The sampler consists of glass-fibre filters impregnated with the reagent 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine¹ so that the 2,4 and 2,6 isomers of TDI react to form urea derivatives which are analysed by high performance liquid chromatography in isocratic mode on cyan-amino and C₁₈ bonded phases. A dynamic system was used to generate standard atmospheres of TDI and to validate the sampling method within the humidity range of 0% to 75%. A coated filter, a bubbling solution and an impregnated silica gel were compared as samplers requiring the piperazine reagent in performance experiments.