A method for the determination of ethylenediamine in workroom air

An ethylenediamine-air mixture was generated in a dynamic gas mixing apparatus, and three different sampling techniques were tested. The analysis was performed using isotachophoresis. Sampling in an impinger flask containing hydrochloric acid (20 mmol/l) gave a quantitative recovery. Desorption losses were noticed when silica gel adsorption tubes were used. Cellulose filter support pads impregnated with oxalic acid were laborious to prepare, and the recovery was high only when freshly prepared filters were used. The use of impingers was found to be the most satisfactory method, and it was used for air monitoring in two factories handling ethylenediamine.