OBJECTIVETo develop a method for determination of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) in the air of workplace by high-performance liquid chromatography.

METHODS2, 4-D was collected by ultrafine glass filters, desorbed by methanol, separated by a C18 column, and detected by a UV detector. Identification and quantification of 2, 4-D were performed by retention time and peak areas, respectively.

RESULTSThe linear range of the test was 2∼200 µg/ml; the elution efficiency was 94.6%- 95.9%; the limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 0.034 µg/ml (injection volume of 20 µl eluant); the lower limit of quantification (S/N = 10) was 0.11 µg/ml; the minimum detectable concentration was 0.011 mg/m(3); the minimum quantifiable concentration was 0.037 mg/m(3) (with sampled air volume of 45 L).

CONCLUSIONThis method is convenient and simple in sample collection and preparation, and satisfies all methodological requirements. Therefore, this method is useful for the determination of 2, 4-D in the air of workplace.