OBJECTIVETo develop a solvent desorption gas chromatographic method for determination of n-pentanol in the workplace air.

METHODSn-Pentanol in the workplace air was collected with activated carbon tubes, desorbed with 2% 2-propanol in carbon disulfide, separated with a nitroterephthalic acid-modified FFAP capillary column, and detected with flame ionization detector.

RESULTSThe limit of detection was 0.2 mg/L; the lower limit of quantification was 0.6 mg/L; the linear range was 0.6-4072.0 mg/L. The minimum detectable mass concentration was 0.2 mg/m3 for 1.5 L of air sample. This method was highly repeatable. The relative standard deviations were 2.3%-5.4%. The average desorption efficiencies were 86.9%-94.2%. The absorption efficiencies were 100%. The breakthrough volume was above 8.0 mg in 100-mg activated carbon. The samples in activated carbon tubes could be stored for at least 14 days at room temperature.

CONCLUSIONThe method is feasible for determination of n-pentanol in the workplace air.