Nitrosamine Air Sampling Using a New Artifact-Resistant Solid Sorbent System

Abstract

A new air-sampling system, consisting of a mixture of magnesium silicate and an amine-trapping agent has been tested for the collection and concentration of airborne nitrosamines in atmospheres that also contain the precursors of these readily formed compounds. The new technique has been demonstrated to be resistant to in situ artifact formation and to quantitatively retain a variety of volatile nitrosamines. Two other solid sorbents, activated charcoal and Tenax-GC, were also compared for in situ formation of nitrosamines from added amines and air containing nitrogen oxides. The test conditions of preloaded amines and airborne nitrogen oxides were selected to simulate reported levels of these precursors in industrial atmospheres. Field data showing the reliability of the new technique in parallel studies with dilute (1 N potassium hydroxide) alkali impinger traps are also presented.