Solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography with flame ionization detection for monitoring of organic solvents in working areas

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method was developed for air monitoring of organic solvents frequently used in chemical laboratories (namely pentane, dimethyl ether, acetone, acetonitrile, dichloromethane, hexane, ethylacetate, tetrahydrofurane, cyclohexane, benzene, and toluene). SPME sampling conditions and chromatographic separation were optimised. Linearity of response for each component of the mixture was tested. Standard solutions containing all the compounds, at three different concentrations, were analysed in triplicate and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were calculated. The method was applied to the monitoring of indoor air in a research chemical laboratory. An SPME fibre was used as a sampling device inside the laboratory. Moreover an SPME fibre was used as a portable sampling device in order to determine the effective human exposure. Comparison of the portable and fixed sampling device showed differences in the amount of solvents associated with activities performed nearby.