Performance of a modified method for the simultaneous determination of vinyl chloride monomer and ethylene dichloride in the atmosphere of a petrochemical plant in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

Ethylene dichloride [EDC] and vinyl chloride monomer [VCM] are considered the major air pollutants associated with any petrochemical industry. The two pollutants are categorized as carcinogenic substances for man and animal. Large number of samples were collected from the air of a Petrochemical Plant in Alexandria during a period of 12 months to study the efficiency, accuracy and applicability of a modified method for the simultaneous determination of VCM and EDC in the air. For this purpose, different sampling stations were selected inside the plant and at its walls. Samples of VCM and EDC were collected simultaneously by adsorption on the surface of activated charcoal and then analyzed by a chemical desorption process using carbon disulfide [CS2]. Levels of VCM and EDC were determined by an infrared spectrophotometer