Determination of ethylene oxide by dissolved desorption-GC with sampling charcoal tube containing hydrobromic acid

Objective New solid sorbent tubes were developed for capturing ethylene oxide (EO) in the air and the matched dissolved desorption-gas chromatography was established. Methods Based on the principle that EO could react with hydrobromic acid, the new solid sorbent tubes were developed, which were dipped with 5%(V/V) hydrobromic acid-methanol solution. The reaction product, generated in the process of capture,was desorbed with dimethylformamide, separated through capillary chromatographic column separation, and then detected by GC-ECD. Results The linear range of EO was 0.12-97.29 mg/L, and the related coefficients was 0.99997. The minimum quantification concentration was 0.01 mg/m³(sample volume was 3.0L).The average derivative efficiency was 95.67%-97.38%. The average desorption efficiency was 93.55%-98.49%. The intraday relative standard deviation (RSD) was 1.27%-1.96%, and the interday RSD was 2.49%-3.83%. The samples could be stored at room temperature for at least 6 days, and 8 days at 4 centigrade. Conclusion The new solid sorbent tubes containing hydrobromic acid were developed and could be applicable for collection of ethylene oxide (EO) in the air.