Feasibility of detection and quantification of gas-phase carbonyls in indoor environments using PFBHA derivatization and solid-phase microextraction (SPME).

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was evaluated for the detection and quantification of the gas-phase carbonyls: citronellal, glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and beta-ionone. Prepared air samples containing the carbonyl compounds were collected at a flow rate of 2.8 L min(-1) in an impinger containing a 25% reagent water/75% methanol collection liquid. The aqueous samples were then derivatized with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA), extracted with a PDMS/DVB coated SPME fiber, and analyzed by GC-MS. Detection limits with a sample air volume of 76 L were calculated to be 0.03 ppbv, 0.34 ppbv, 0.12 ppbv, and 0.28 ppbv for citronellal, glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and beta-ionone, respectively.