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Expanded list of halogenated hydrocarbons measurable in ambient air

Journal Article · · J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States)

To date, halogenated hydrocarbons containing bromine or iodine have received very little attention in atmospheric research and measurement studies. As early as 1975, however, an article was published warning of possible depletion of stratospheric ozone due to bromine-catalyzed reactions. The widespread use of methyl bromide as an agricultural fumigant, and the discovery that bromine is a more effective catalyst for recombination of ozone than either chlorine or nitric oxide will lead to expanded programs for bromine and iodine-containing hydrocarbons in the atmosphere. Reported here are additional halocarbon compounds which can be measured in ambient air samples using the freezeout concentration method. The original list of compounds measurable by use of this method, and additional halocarbon compounds which were not originally labeled or did not appear in the rural air sample are presented in a table. Retention times and approximate detection limits using a 500 ml sample are also presented. The method employs a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector operated at 350/sup 0/C. Chemical storage must be carefully controlled in the vicinity of the analytical laboratory to avoid trace halocarbon contamination.

Research Organization:
Washington State Univ., Pullman
OSTI ID:
5794482
Journal Information:
J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 29:9; ISSN JPCAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English