Identification of solvents of abuse using gas chromatography/Fourier transform infrared spectrometry after headspace sampling

Summary After experimental intoxication of rats, gas chromatography — Fourier transform infrared spectrometry with headspace sampling (HS/GC/FT-IR) was used to identify solvents of abuse in biological material (blood, liver, lungs and brain). Limits of detection were measured for acetone, 2-butanone, ether, toluene and trichlorethylene with standard solutions. All the solvents have been identified in the organs of the intoxicated rats. For blood samples a salting-out effect was obtained with potassium carbonate. HS/GC/FT-IR allowed the identification of metabolites of acetone (isopropanol) and of 2-butanone (2-butanol) in blood and organs.