title: Indoor air sampling of organophosphate triesters using solid phase extraction (SPE) adsorbents.
abstract: In this paper we demonstrate the use of SPE cartridges for sampling of organophosphate triesters in indoor air by adsorptive enrichment. The method has been optimised for the sampling and analysis of organophosphate triesters using a 25 mg aminopropyl silica SPE cartridge. The same cartridge is used for the active air sampling as well as for the subsequent extraction and clean-up of the sample. This makes the method fast and eliminates some tedious and time-consuming manual sample handling steps. Sampling and extraction efficiency was high for the investigated organophosphates, and limit of detection was in the range 0.1-0.3 ng m(-3). The method was applied to measurements of organophosphate triesters in two lecture halls and an electronics dismantling facility, and was compared with results from common filter/adsorbent sampling at each site. Analysis was made by GC with selective detection by NPD set in phosphorus mode, and by GC-MS. Thirteen organophosphate triesters (not counting isomers) were detected in the electronic dismantling facility. Chlorinated organophosphate triesters were detected in all locations with concentrations over 1 microg m(-3) in the lecture halls. This kind of adsorptive enrichment using an SPE cartridge could be adjusted to other types of analytes as well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Thorvald
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Staaf
authors.forename: Conny
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ostman
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004952:Esters / Q000032:analysis*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004952:Esters; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds