Analytical method for the determination of 1,2-epoxypropane

Translation of DGUV Information 213-528 (former BGI 505-28 or ZH1/120.28)

CAS Number: 75-56-9

Synonym: Propylene oxide

Method 04 – Headspace GC, MS

Sampling is carried out with a pump and adsorption on charcoal. Analysis is performed by headspace gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC/MS).

This method can be used with personal or stationary sampling to determine the mean concentration of 1,2-epoxypropane at workplaces over the sampling time.

Principle

A pump draws a defined volume of air through a glass tube filled with charcoal. The adsorbed 1,2-epoxypropane is desorbed with a mixture of N,N-dimethylacetamide/ water (water content approx. 20% by volume). The analytical determination is achieved by headspace gas chromatography and detection with a mass selective detector. 

Limit of quantification (LOQ)

Absolute: 0,8 µg 1,2-epoxypropane in the adsorption tube.

Relative: 0.13 mg/m³ of 1,2-epoxypropane based on a 6 L air sample, 5 mL of sample solution and an injection volume of 0.5 mL from the headspace.

Issue

February 2007 

The complete measuring method is available in the Wiley Online Library: Method for the determination of 1,2-epoxypropane (propylene oxide, Air Monitoring Methods, Volume 12, 2011).

Method 03 – GC

Sampling with a pump and adsorption on the polymeric resin Amberlite XAD-4, gas chromatography after thermal desorption. 

This method permits the determination of 1,2-epoxypropane concentrations in working areas averaged over the sampling time after personal or stationary sampling.

Principle

With a pump a measured air volume is drawn through a metal tube filled with XAD-4. The adsorbed 1,2-epoxypropane is desorbed by heating in a thermal desorber and analysed by gas chromatography.

Limit of quantification (LOQ)

Absolute: 20 ng 1,2-epoxypropane per adsorption tube.

Relative: 0.1 mg/m³ with 200 mL air sample.

Issue

November 1994 

The complete measuring method is available in the Wiley Online Library: Method for the determination of 1,2-epoxypropane (propylene oxide, Analyses of Hazardous Substances in Air, Volume 4, 1999).

Method 02 – GC – withdrawn

Sampling with a pump and adsorption on activated carbon. Gas chromatography after desorption and derivatisation with hydrobromic acid. 

This method permits the determination of propylene oxide concentrations in working areas averaged over the sampling time after personal or stationary sampling.

Principle

With a pump a measured air volume is drawn through an activated carbon tube. The adsorbed 1,2-epoxypropane is desorbed with a mixture of toluene and carbon disulfide, reacted with hydrobromic acid to form bromoethanol and analysed by gas chromatography.

Limit of quantification (LOQ)

The absolute quantification limit is 0.58 ng bromopropanol (sum of both isomers), which corresponds to 0.24 ng 1,2-epoxypropane or 1.2 μg per sample. This corresponds to a relative quantification limit of 0.1 mg/m³ 1,2-epoxypropane for 12 L sample air, 5 mL of the sample solution and 1 μL injection volume.

Issue

November 1994 

Withdrawn

October 2006

The complete measuring method is available in the Wiley Online Library: Method for the determination of 1,2-epoxypropane (propylene oxide, Analyses of Hazardous Substances in Air, Volume 4, 1999).

Method 01 – Headspace GC or GC

Sampling with a pump and adsorption on activated carbon

Operating method A: Headspace gas chromatography
Operating method B: Gas chromatography after desorption

This method permits the determination of 1,2-epoxypropane concentrations in working areas averaged over the sampling time after personal or stationary sampling.

Principle

Sampling with a pump and adsorption on activated carbon.

Operating method A: The adsorbed 1,2-epoxypropane is desorbed with a non-volatile solvent (N,N-dimethylacetamide) and determined by headspace gas chromatography.

Operating method B: The adsorbed 1,2-epoxypropane is desorbed with a mixture of dichloromethane/carbon disulfide/methanol and determined by gas chromatography.

Limit of quantification (LOQ)

Operating method A

Absolute: 3 µg 1.2-epoxypropane per activated carbon tube.

Relative: 0.025 mg/m³ ≙ 0,01 mL/m³ (ppm).

Operating method B

Absolute: 8 ng 1,2-epoxypropane.

Relative: 0.5 mg/m³ ≙ 0.2 mL/m³ (ppm) 1,2-epoxypropane for 20 L air sample, 2.5 mL desorption solution an 2 µl injection volume.

Issue

November 1994 

The complete measuring method is available in the Wiley Online Library: Method for the determination of 1,2-epoxypropane (propylene oxide, Analyses of Hazardous Substances in Air, Volume 4, 1999).