Chromatographic methods for analysis of ethylene oxide in emissions from stationary sources

Chromatographic methods of analysis with FID detection are investigated for quantitation of ethylene oxide in emissions from production plants and commercial sterilizers. A column with a stationary phase of 3% Carbowax 20M on 80-100 Chromosorb 101 is used to separate ethylene oxide from potential interferents in emissions from production plants. Two columns are found that allow accurate quantitation of ethylene oxide in emissions from commercial sterilizers. Both columns elute ethylene oxide before Freon 12, the diluent in the sterilization process. One column has a stationary phase of 1% SP-1000 on 60-80 Carbopack B and can be used to quantitate ethylene oxide over a wider range of concentrations than the other column, 5% Fluorcol (a fluorinated oil) on 60-80 Carbopack B. Graphitized carbon, the solid support in both of these columns, appears to participate in the ethylene oxide-Freon 12 separation with the SP-1000 column but not with the Fluorcol column.