Headspace analysis of chlorinated organic solvents in aerosol cans by gas chromatography

Summary A gas chromatographic (GC) method for the analysis of chlorinated solvents in chemical products in aerosol cans is described. Conditions for the sampling of chemical products from aerosol cans were optimized, so that the recovery of the solvents was better than 90%. Chlorinated solvents were identified by headspace GC—electron capture detection (ECD) as well as by GC — mass spectrometry. Headspace analysis employing the standard additions method and GC-ECD was used for the quantitation of chlorinated solvents. Analysis of 159 acrosol products, for various uses, revealed that 9% of these did not comply with the Danish Aerosol Regulations. The results of the study further indicated that aerosol products for haircare, paints and paint removers, and many others, can be formulated without chlorinated solvents.