A sampling and analytical procedure for skin-contamination evaluation

A sampling and analytical procedure which permits the evaluation of skin contaminated with liquified coal products was developed. In this procedure approximately 10 mL cyclohexane was sprayed onto a limited area of the skin (5 cm2) to be evaluated. The rinsings were drained into a 12-mL glass vial and later analyzed by UV fluorescence. Preliminary studies resulted in recoveries of greater than 95%. The limit of detection was 0.2 microgram heavy distillate fuel oil. Application of this technique to other skin contaminants is possible if appropriate solvents and analytical procedures are available.