An activated charcoal sampling and gas chromatographic procedure for occupational exposure to furfural

Furfural is a cyclic, unsaturated aldehyde existing as a colorless, oily liquid which readily oxidizes in air. It possesses a characteristic "thick, sweet" odor. This compound is generally produced from various pentosans found in cereal straws and brans. Although there is only one industrial source of furfural in the United States, there is no available information on annual production. This compound finds usage in the formulation of varnishes, insecticides, fungicides, germicides, as a vulcanizing agent in the rubber industry and as a component in various resin systems. The current Permissible Exposure Limit established by OSHA is 5 parts per million.