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Solid phase microextraction with analysis by gas chromatography to determine short term hydrogen cyanide concentrations in a field setting
Author(s) -
Smith Philip A.,
Sheely Michael V.,
Kluchinsky Timothy A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of separation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.72
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1615-9314
pISSN - 1615-9306
DOI - 10.1002/1615-9314(20021001)25:14<917::aid-jssc917>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - solid phase microextraction , gas chromatography , chromatography , chemistry , hydrogen cyanide , environmental chemistry , contamination , analytical chemistry (journal) , gas chromatography–mass spectrometry , mass spectrometry , ecology , biochemistry , biology
Occupational air concentration ceiling standards should not be exceeded during any part of a working exposure. Air sampling with pumps, and filters or sorbent tubes may be coupled to methods such as gas chromatography for definitive identification of occupational air contaminants. With such methods, 15‐minute sample durations are common for ceiling standard comparisons (to trap sufficient analyte for detection) giving a 15‐minute time‐weighted average, and not an instantaneous concentration. We used 2‐minute duration solid phase microextraction (SPME) field sampling, followed later by gas chromatography with a nitrogen‐phosphorous detector (GC/NPD) to detect, identify, and quantify airborne hydrogen cyanide (HCN) concentrations encountered in a field setting. The presence of HCN was confirmed in the atmosphere sampled by SPME field sampling followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. The HCN‐contaminated atmosphere was from two CS riot control canisters actuated in an enclosed building. With four simultaneous SPME field samples and GC/NPD analysis, the coefficient of variation associated with the HCN peak areas for the samples was 17%, and the HCN concentrations measured ranged from about 12 to 19 ppm. Acetonitrile and acrylonitrile were also detected as volatile nitrogen‐containing air contaminants dispersed along with the CS, although their concentrations were not determined.