Development of a thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for determination of styrene in air. Application to workplace air

Abstract

Styrene is a compound commonly used in several industries, especially in those that manufacture glass-reinforced prod- ucts. A thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for determination of styrene in industrial indoor and outdoor air is presented. Split valves of the thermal desorption unit were fixed at flows of 150 mL/min for indoor air and 5.3 mL/min for outdoor air, which regarded detection limits of 1.21 and 0.08 ng of adsorbed compound, respectively. The method was checked at a fibreglass boat manufacturing workshop. Samples were taken by diffusive and active sampling. Both methods were applied to outdoor samplings with similar results, while indoor samples were taken by diffusive sampling. Results confirm industrial activity as main styrene source in the workplace studied and its surrounding area.