An improved method for the determination of 1,3-butadiene in nonoccupational environments

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1999 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es9902367· OSTI ID:20006163

Kim, Y M; Harrad, S; Harrison, R M

Despite health concerns regarding exposure to 1,3-butadiene, there is a dearth of validated methods for its determination in nonoccupational environments. A sampling and analytical methodology is validated for determining 1,3-butadiene in such environments. Samples were collected via sorbent tubes containing 1000 mg of Carbopack B and 150 mg of Carbosieve SIII and analyzed by TD (thermal desorption)-GC/MS. This sorbent combination was compared to that of 600 mg of Carboxen 569. When sampling for 2 h at 30 mL min{sup {minus}1}, 20 C and relative humidity 60%, Carbopack B/Carbosieve SIII gave 1,3-butadiene recoveries {gt} 95%, compared to ca. 60% for Carboxen 569. The combined sampling and analytical precision of Carbopack B/Carbosieve III was 13% at 0.17 {mu}g m{sup {minus}3}, with a detection limit {lt}0.16 {micro}g m{sup {minus}3}. Optimum sampling conditions were as follows: duration 2 h, flow rate 30 mL min{sup {minus}1}, maximum temperature 35 C. The impact on sampling efficiency of ozone concentrations and relative humidity was negligible. Simultaneous sampling with both Carboxen 569 alone and Carbopack B/Carbosieve SIII in a range of nonoccupational environments and sampling conditions revealed 1,3-butadiene concentrations to be 24--58% when the latter sorbent was used, suggesting that measurements made using carbon molecular sieve sorbents such as Carboxen 569 are underestimates.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Birmingham (GB)
• OSTI ID: 20006163
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 33; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ADSORBENTS
AIR POLLUTION
BUTADIENE
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
OPTIMIZATION
SAMPLING