A rapid technique for collection and analysis of phenol vapors

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Abstract
The proliferation of phenol in the working environment has been accelerated by the growth of the modern synfuels industry. Because of the adverse effects associated with exposures to phenol, rigid tolerance levels for this toxic chemical were issued. Adherence to these limits requires monitoring of phenol vapors in workplaces. A rapid technique for the collection and analysis of airborne phenol at concentrations appropriate for monitoring occupational exposures was described. The phenol was collected on Tenax contained in a glass tube, thermally desorbed into a 20-m IR gas cell and quantitated at 1184/cm (8.4 .mu.m). A 15-min air sample, collected at a rate of 0.75 l/min, was sufficient to measure phenol in the concentration range of 0.7-10.4 ppm. Analysis of 65 samples in this range resulted in a mean recovery of 99.3% with a SD of 9.7%. Various other compounds were analyzed by this method to determine possible interferences: aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons showed no interferences; but cresols and xylenols did show some positive responses.

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