title: An automated head space analysis method for xylenes and ethylbenzene in blood and water.
abstract: A sensitive, reliable method of analysis was established for water and blood samples containing xylene isomers (m-,o- & p-) and ethylbenzene by means of an automated head space sampler connected to a GC equipped with a flame ionization detector. Minimum detection limits (MDLs) were ca. 1 and 6 ng/mL, respectively, for each of the four target compounds in water and blood samples. Practical quantitation limits (PQLs) with precision values better than +/- 4% for duplicate samples were 40 and 240 ng/mL, respectively, for the individual organic compounds in water and blood. The analytical precision was < +/- 4% for concentrations above the PQL and up to 50 micrograms/mL. Calibration curves for the C2-benzene isomers in water and blood samples were linear (r2 > 0.9999) for individual analyte concentration up to ca. 50 micrograms/mL. Blank values were below the MDLs. The effect of cocontaminants on head space analyte concentration was insignificant for the anticipated range of sample composition.
authors.affiliation: Health Protection Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Otson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumarathasan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001555:Benzene Derivatives / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D002845:Chromatography; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014992:Xylenes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D001555:Benzene Derivatives; D014873:Water Pollutants; D014992:Xylenes; C004912:ethylbenzene