RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for simultaneous detection of 2-methoxyethoxy ethanol( 2-MEE) and2-ethoxyethoxy ethanol( 2-ETE) in workplace air by solvent desorption-gas chromatography. METHODS: The 2-MEE and 2-ETE in workplace air were collected by activated carbon tubes and desorbed with methanol-methylene chloride( 5 ∶ 95,V/V),then separated on DB-FFAP capillary chromatographic column,and finally detected using flame ionization detector.RESULTS: The 2-MEE and 2-ETE showed a good linear range in 2. 12-8 464. 00 and 2. 11-8 428. 00 mg/L respectively and the correlation coefficients was 0. 999 8. The minimum quantification limits were 0. 16 and 0. 20 mg/m~3 respectively( 3 L air sample). The average desorption efficiencies were 99. 33%-103. 72% and 99. 61%-104. 07% respectively. The withinrun relative standard deviations( RSDs) were 3. 68%-4. 73% and 3. 47%-4. 39% respectively,and the between-run RSDs were 4. 72%-6. 99% and 4. 77%-6. 28% respectively. The samples could be stored at room temperature for at least14 days. CONCLUSION: This method is simple,sensitive,precise and suitable for simultaneous detection of 2-MEE and 2-ETE in workplace air.