Free Access
Issue
Analusis
Volume 28, Number 8, October 2000
Luminescence spectroscopy: applications and recent trends
Page(s) 737 - 742
Section Original articles
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/analusis:2000144
Analusis 28, 737-742 (2000)
DOI: 10.1051/analusis:2000144

Development of a thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for determination of styrene in air. Application to workplace air

V. Fernández-Villarrenaga Martín, P. López Mahía, S. Muniategui Lorenzo and D. Prada Rodríguez

Department of Analytical Chemistry. University of A Coruña. Campus da Zapateira s/n, E-15071 A Coruña. Spain


(Received May 26, 2000; revised October 24, 2000; accepted October 25, 2000.)

Abstract
Styrene is a compound commonly used in several industries, especially in those that manufacture glass-reinforced products. A thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for determination of styrene in industrial indoor and outdoor air is presented. Split valves of the thermal desorption unit were fixed at flows of 150 mL/min for indoor air and 5.3 mL/min for outdoor air, which regarded detection limits of 1.21 and 0.08 ng of adsorbed compound, respectively. The method was checked at a fibreglass boat manufacturing workshop. Samples were taken by diffusive and active sampling. Both methods were applied to outdoor samplings with similar results, while indoor samples were taken by diffusive sampling. Results confirm industrial activity as main styrene source in the workplace studied and its surrounding area.


Key words: Diffusive sampling -- thermal desorption -- styrene: Tenax TA -- occupational exposure -- source emissions.


© EDP Sciences, Wiley-VCH 2000