ABSTRACT We have developed a highly sensitive analytical method for measuring air concentrations of a variety of carbonyl compounds using a passive sampler. Our previous analytical methods require a time-consuming pretreatment procedure that involves solvent extraction of carbonyls collected by a passive sampler and evaporation of the solvent under a N2 stream. We have developed a simpler and faster pretreatment operation for passive sampling: 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine–coated silica gel containing carbonyl compounds collected by passive sampling was eluted in a 15-mL glass tube with 2 mL of 30% aqueous acetonitrile, and then the tube was vibrated for 1 min with a tube vibrator. A 1.5-mL portion of the supernatant liquid was filtered through a Teflon filter, and the filtrate was analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography without any concentration procedure (e.g., evaporation under a N2 stream). Recoveries of nine carbonyl compounds analyzed by this method were higher than recoveries with our previous pretreatment methods. The coefficients of variation for the concentrations of the aldehyde and ketones ranged from 0.53 to 1.19%, and the coefficients for the retention times ranged from 0.03 to 0.07%. This method was used to survey carbonyl compounds concentrations in public offices in Shizuoka, Japan. Eight aldehydes and one ketone were detected.
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