RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To improve the standard detection method for acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde and isobutyraldehyde in the air of workplace. METHODS: Acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde and isobutyraldehyde in the air of workplace were collected using silica gel tube, desorbed with 45.0% ethanol, separated by a capillary column and detected by a flame ionization detector. RESULTS: The linear range of this method for detecting acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde and isobutyraldehyde were 1.57-1 568.00, 1.60-1 600.00 and 1.59-1 588.00 mg/L, respectively. All the correlation coefficients were greater than 0.999. The detection limits were 0.52, 0.46 and 0.54 mg/L, respectively. The desorption efficiency was 91.0%-103.0%. The within-run relative standard deviation(RSD) was 0.7%-1.7%.The between-run RSD was 2.0%-3.7%. The samples could be stored for at least 10 days at room temperature. CONCLUSION: This method can be used for simultaneous detection of acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde and isobutyraldehyde in the air of workplace.