Development of a versatile, easy and rapid atmospheric monitor for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes determination in air.
A new procedure for the passive sampling in air of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene isomers (BTEX) is proposed. A low-density polyethylene layflat tube filled with a mixture of solid phases provided a high versatility tool for the sampling of volatile compounds from air. Several solid phases were assayed in order to increase the BTEX absorption in the sampler and a mixture of florisil and activated carbon provided the best results. Direct head-space-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) measurement of the whole deployed sampler was employed for a fast determination of BTEX. Absorption isotherms were used to develop simple mathematical models for the estimation of BTEX time-weighted average concentrations in air. The proposed samplers were used to determine BTEX in indoor air environments and results were compared with those found using two reference methodologies: triolein-containing semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and diffusive Radiello samplers. In short, the developed sampling system and analytical strategy provides a versatile, easy and rapid atmospheric monitor (VERAM).
Analytical Chemistry Department, University of Valencia, Edifici Jeroni Muñoz, 50 Dr. Moliner, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain. francesc.a.esteve@uv.es
Francesc A
FA
Esteve-Turrillas
Saray
S
Ly-Verdú
Agustín
A
Pastor
Miguel
M
de la Guardia
D000327:Adsorption; D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis*; D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis*; D001555:Benzene Derivatives / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010539:Permeability; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014050:Toluene / Q000032:analysis*; D014992:Xylenes / Q000032:analysis*
D001555:Benzene Derivatives; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014992:Xylenes; D014050:Toluene; D001554:Benzene; C004912:ethylbenzene