Trace analysis of airborne haloacetates

Abstract

Abstract Haloacetates in various environmental compartments can be determined by gas chromatography‐negative‐ion chemical‐ionization mass spectrometry after derivatization with 1‐pentafluorophenyl diazoethane. Detection limits in absolute amounts per injection are between 0.01 fg (chlorodifluoroacetate) and 80 fg (monofluoroacetate). Sampling of haloacetates in urban air was performed by means of cylindrical denuders coated with alkalized glycerol. The haloacetates detected are trifluoro‐, monochloro‐, dichloro‐, trichloro‐, monobromo‐, and dibromoacetate. The concentrations in ambient air fluctuate strongly, e.g. between 20 and 3000 pg/m 3 for TFA. Haloacetates are also found in river waters and tree foliage. A major problem is interference from contamination with trifluoro‐ and trichloroacetate.