[Method for determining chlorinated solvent residues in dry cleaning fabrics with gas chromatography-mass...

An analytical technique was provided for using headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to estimates exposure and emissions of chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in dry cleaning fabrics or garments. Hazardous substances used by chlorinated dry cleaning operation include-perchloroethylene (PEC), trichloroethylene (TCE) and small amounts of trichloroethane, all known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) listed in many professional testing criteria and limit values of pollutant control index. A standard fabric matrix was spiked with several chlorinated volatile organic compounds to achieve a theoretical concentration based on Oko-Tex Standard 100 levels. Samples were soaked in 5% (volume fraction) methanol saturated NaCl solution with supersonic treatment in a water-bath at (40 +/- 1) degree for 10 min, and then the solution extracted by headspace SPME with a 100 microns PDMS fiber was analyzed by GC-MS. The method gives the applicable range of 0.005 mg/kg-5.000 mg/kg for PCE and TCE, and 0.012 mg/kg-1.200 mg/kg for trichloroethane as the safe assessment of fabrics and garments in dry cleaning. The limits of detection for target compounds PCE, TCE and trichloroethane were 0.005 mg/kg with average recoveries between 90.6%-108.7%.