Detection and quantitation of ethylene oxide, 2-chloroethanol, and ethylene glycol with capillary gas chromatography

A procedure is described for detection and quantitation of ethylene oxide and two major reaction products. Detection of ethylene oxide residuals extracted from alcohol pads (cellulose) and plastic material is illustrated. Quantitation of the three compounds can be obtained with a single gas chromatographic (GC) analysis. A DB-Wax-30N, 0.25 mm i.d. column is used with 1:50 split injections with dimethylformamide as the solvent and 1:100 split injections with water as the solvent. A DB-Wax-30W, 0.32 mm i.d. column is used for on-column injections and 1:100 split water injections. Linearity of the three compounds is demonstrated.