Review of the 4-hexylresorcinol procedure for acrolein analysis

The purpose of this paper is to present laboratory results showing major problems with the 4-hexylresorcinol method used for acrolein analysis. A discrepancy in the analytical procedure described by ASTM and NIOSH gives rise to underestimation of acrolein levels based on the length of time the mixed reagents have been prepared prior to sampling. Underestimations by as much as 35% may occur due to the problems in the existing methodologies.