Description and evaluation of a peracetic acid air sampling and analysis method

Area of Science:

• Industrial Hygiene
• Analytical Chemistry
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Peracetic acid (PAA) is widely used industrially but poses health risks.
• Existing methods for airborne PAA detection lack specificity, often reacting with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
• A universal US government-recommended sampling and analysis method for PAA is currently unavailable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sensitive and specific method for assessing occupational exposure to peracetic acid (PAA) vapors.
• To overcome the cross-reactivity issues inherent in legacy PAA detection techniques.
• To provide a reliable tool for monitoring PAA levels in diverse workplace environments.

Main Methods:

• A novel liquid trap high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed.
• The method utilizes the differential reaction kinetics between PAA and methyl p-tolylsulfide (MTS).
• Quantification of methyl p-tolysulfoxide (MTSO) allows for the determination of original airborne PAA concentration.

Main Results:

• The refined HPLC method demonstrated a low limit of detection (0.013 ppm) and good precision.
• Field testing in five occupational settings showed PAA levels ranging from 0.013 ppm to 0.4 ppm.
• The method successfully differentiated PAA from H2O2, addressing cross-reactivity concerns.

Conclusions:

• The developed liquid trap HPLC method is a viable and potentially dependable tool for assessing occupational PAA exposure.
• The method's sensitivity and specificity make it a strong candidate for further validation and broader application.
• This advancement offers improved accuracy in monitoring worker exposure to hazardous peracetic acid vapors.