[Determination of 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane in order to assess the working environment].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

1-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane, known as epichlorohydrin (ECH), is a colorless liquid used in the production of epoxy resins, synthetic glycerine, elastomers, glycidyl ethers, surfactants, polyamide-epichlorohydrin resins and others. Epichlorohydrin may cause cancer. The aim of this study was to develop a new method for determining concentrations of ECH in workplace air in the range of 1/10-2 values of the maximum admissible concentration (MAC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The paper presents a method for the determination of ECH in workplace air using a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The developed method is based on the adsorption of ECH on an activated charcoal, extraction with acetone, and a chromatographic analysis of the resulting solution.

RESULTS:

The method developed makes it possible to determine ECH in the concentration range of 0.1-2 mg/m3, i.e., 1/10-2 values of MAC established in Poland. The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.24 μg/m3 and the limit of quantification (LOQ) is 0.71 μg/m3.

CONCLUSIONS:

The method is characterized by good precision and accuracy; it meets the requirements of the European standard PN-EN 482, and can be used by occupational hygiene laboratories to measure concentrations of ECH in workplace air, with a view to assessing workers' exposure to this substance. Med Pr. 2020;71(6):715-23.

• Authors: Anna Jeżewska, Dorota Kondej, Agnieszka Woźnica
• Journal: Medycyna pracy (Med Pr) Vol. 71 Issue 6 Pg. 715-723 (Dec 03 2020) ISSN: 2353-1339 [Electronic] Poland
• Vernacular Title: Oznaczanie 1-chloro-2,3-epoksypropanu dla potrzeb oceny środowiska pracy.
• PMID: 33089833 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants, Occupational
• Epichlorohydrin

Topics

• Adult
• Air Pollutants, Occupational (analysis, standards)
• Environmental Monitoring (methods)
• Epichlorohydrin (analysis, standards)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Exposure (analysis, standards)
• Occupational Health (standards)
• Poland