OBJECTIVETo establish a method for rapid determination of airborne acrylonitrile using a portable gas chromatograph.

METHODSA single standard sample of acrylonitrile was prepared in a laboratory and sampled by the built-in constant flow pump of the portable gas chromatograph. The sample was then preconcentrated by the preconcentrator, thermally desorbed, separated by capillary columns, and detected by a micro argon ionization detector to determine the retention time. Retention time was then used to perform qualitative analysis. Under the set condition of gas chromatography, the external standard method was used to create a standard curve for quantitative analysis of acrylonitrile.

RESULTSThe linear range of acrylonitrile on the portable gas chromatograph was 0.25 to 3.00 mg/m(3). The regression equation was y = 10(-5) x-0.0275, r = 0.9977. The limit of detection was 0.005 mg/m(3), and the lower limit of quantification was 0.25 mg/m(3). The relative standard deviation was lower than 7.09%, and the degree of accuracy was 91.09-105.54%.

CONCLUSIONPortable gas chromatography is a simple, repeatable, and accurate method for rapid determination of airborne acrylonitrile.