Application of multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to the determination of glycol ethers in air.

The applicability of multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to the analysis of five glycol ethers in air was demonstrated. Air samples were collected on charcoal tubes and desorbed with 5% methanol in methylene chloride as is described in method 1403 of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Manual of Analytical Methods. The glycol ethers were determined by multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The limit of detection was 5 to 7 micrograms/sample for each compound.