Recovery of acrylonitrile from charcoal tubes at low levels

Data are presented for the recovery of acrylonitrile from charcoal tubes at levels lower than those tested in NIOSH Method S156. A 2% by volume acetone in CS2 solution is used as desorbing solvent. An injection volume of 2 muL and a 3-m long by 3.2-mm o.d. (10-ft x 1/8-in) stainless steel column filled with 20% SP-1000 on 80/100 Supelcoport gives adequate resolution of the acrylonitrile. Results indicate that recoveries are adequate for sample sizes which correspond to a 15-liter sample at 0.5 and 0.25 ppm, and that acrylonitrile collected on carbon in the absence of inhibitor is stable for at least a week.