The Annals of Occupational Hygiene · 1992 · 14 citations · 0 references
Public HealthEnvironmental SciencesAir PollutionEnvironmental HealthOccupational HealthAir Pollution EpidemiologyAir QualityInhalation ToxicologyOccupational Lung DiseaseOccupational MedicineRespiratory DiseaseOccupational Air QualityOccupational Hygiene SurveysOccupational Inhalation HazardsOccupational Inhalation ToxicityOccupational Inhalation ToxicologyOccupational Respiratory DiseaseRespiratory Exposure Assessment
Methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA), an organic anhydride, is a sensitizing agent even at low air concentrations: no methods for its sampling and analysis have previously been reported. This paper outlines the use of Amberlite XAD-2 for sampling MTHPA vapour in air, followed by analysis using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The level of detection corresponds to a concentration in air of 10 micrograms m-3 for a 20 l. sampling volume. Up to 200 l. air has been sampled, at a sampling rate of 1 l. min-1, without detectable losses. The adsorption efficiency and the stability of the anhydride in the XAD-2 tubes were not influenced by a relative air humidity (RH) of 40%, but at RH 80% there was a loss of 18% at 50 l. air-sample volume. Results from sampling in XAD-2 tubes were 8% lower than those from parallel sampling in midget bubblers containing 10 ml 0.01 M sodium hydroxide.