Validation of evacuated canisters for sampling volatile organic compounds in healthcare settings

Abstract

Healthcare settings present a challenging environment for assessing low-level concentrations of specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of high background concentrations of alcohol from the use of hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants. The purposes of this laboratory-based project were to develop and validate a sampling and analysis methodology for quantifying low-level VOC concentrations as well as high-level alcohol concentrations found together in healthcare settings. Sampling was conducted using evacuated canisters lined with fused silica. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis was performed using preconcentration (for ppb levels) and loop injection (for ppm levels). For a select list of 14 VOCs, bias, precision, and accuracy of both the preconcentration and loop injection methods were evaluated, as was analyte stability in evacuated canisters over 30 days. Using the preconcentration (ppb-level) method, all validation criteria were met for 13 of the 14 target analytes-ethanol, acetone, methylene chloride, hexane, chloroform, benzene, methyl methacrylate, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, alpha-pinene, and limonene. Using the loop injection (ppm-level) method, all validation criteria were met for each analyte. At ppm levels, alpha-pinene and limonene remained stable over 21 days, while the rest of the analytes were stable for 30 days. All analytes remained stable over 30 days at ppb levels. This sampling and analysis approach is a viable (i.e., accurate and stable) methodology that will enable development of VOC profiles for mixed exposures experienced by healthcare workers.

Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of exposures and respiratory health at a coffee processing facility.

“…The canister method is partially validated [Lebouf et al 2012] and not considered the standard method. We compare results to the NIOSH REL for informational purposes only.…”

“…The method was modified as follows: the pre-concentrator was a Model 7200 (Entech Instruments, Inc.), and six additional analytes were included (acetaldehyde, acetonitrile, styrene, diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione). At present, this canister method is partially validated [Lebouf et al 2012] and not considered the standard method. The LOD for diacetyl was 0.78 ppb, for 2,3-pentanedione was 1.08 ppb, and for 2,3-hexanedione was 1.92 ppb, based on a three-times dilution factor, which is typical for restricted flow controller samples.…”

“…The canister air samples were analyzed using a pre-concentrator/gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system pursuant to a published method validation study [LeBouf et al 2012], which included the following analytes: ethanol, acetone, methylene chloride, hexane, chloroform, benzene, methyl methacrylate, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, alpha-pinene, and limonene. The method was modified as follows: the pre-concentrator was a Model 7200 (Entech Instruments, Inc.), and six additional analytes were included (acetaldehyde, acetonitrile, styrene, diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione).…”

“…Briefly, the samples were extracted for 1 hour in 95% ethanol:5% water containing 3-pentanone as an internal standard. Samples were analyzed using an Agilent 7890/7001 gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system operated in selected ion monitoring mode for increased sensitivity compared to the traditional flame ionization detector used in OSHA Methods 1013/1016 [LeBouf and Simmons 2016].…”

Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of chemical exposures at a vape shop.

“…The canister air samples were analyzed using a preconcentrator/gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system according to a published method validation study [LeBouf et al 2012] with the following modifications: the preconcentrator was an Entech Instruments Model 7200 and four additional chemicals, acetaldehyde, diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione, were included in the analysis. The limit of detection of the sampling and analytical method is the lowest mass that can be currently measured.…”