DETERMINATION OF CHLOROBENZENES IN AIR AND BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES BY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH PHOTO-IONIZATION DETECTION

Methods are described for the determination of chlorobenzenes (monochlorobenzene through hexachlorobenzene) at partsper-biliion levels in air and human urine and blood samples by gas chromatography with photoionization detection. Prior to analysis, chlorobenzenes in air are collected/concentrated on XAD-2 resin, solvent desorbed. The method for urine and blood samples consists of carbon tetrachloride extractions, silica gel column chromatography and concentration with a Kuderna-Danish concentrator. A specially designed column packing allows separation of the chlorobenzenes in 16 min. Data presented indicate that collection and desorption efficiencies for chlorobenzenes with concentrations between 5 ppb (v/v) and 15 ppm (v/v) in air to be 95±12% (2σ). Chlorobenzene recoveries from urine and blood samples are 83±12% for concentrations between 1 and 500 ppb (ng/g). © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.