Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Plasticizers as interferences in pollutant analyses

J A Singmaster, D G Crosby

    Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
    |September 1, 1976
    PubMed
    Summary

    Plasticizers in air conditioner filters and caulks are significant sources of laboratory contamination. These airborne compounds, particularly phthalic acid esters (PAEs), interfere with low-level pollutant analyses, impacting environmental research accuracy.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    A rapid analytical method for persistent pesticides in proteinaceous samples.

    Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology·2013
    Same author

    Gas Chromatographic measurement of toxaphene in milk, fat, blood, and alfalfa hay.

    Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology·2013
    Same author

    Determination of 2,4-D residues in animal products.

    Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology·2013
    Same author

    Extraction and location of selective chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in Alfafa Hay.

    Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology·2013
    Same author

    The photodecomposition of dieldrin residues in water.

    Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology·2013
    Same author

    Photodecomposition of chlorobenzoic acids.

    Journal of agricultural and food chemistry·2011

    Area of Science:

    • Environmental Chemistry
    • Analytical Chemistry

    Background:

    • Plasticizers are widely used in materials like polyvinyl chloride, air conditioner filters, and caulks.
    • Airborne compounds from these plasticizers can lead to low-level laboratory contamination.
    • Such contamination poses significant interference risks for sensitive pollutant analyses.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To identify airborne plasticizer compounds causing laboratory contamination.
    • To investigate the interference of these contaminants in pollutant analysis, particularly at low detection levels.
    • To assess the impact of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as contaminants.

    Main Methods:

    • Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detection (GCEC) was used for quantitation.
    • Analysis of airborne fallout collected on dishes (clean and oil-filmed).
    • Identification of plasticizer compounds and comparison with known pollutant standards.

    Main Results:

    • Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) were identified in air conditioner filters, contaminating dishes via air fallout.
    • Solvents, reagents, and handling also contributed to PAE contamination.
    • Several PAEs were detectable at 0.1 ng levels and could interfere with chlorinated pollutant analysis (e.g., p,p'-DDT).
    • Aroclor 1254 (a PCB) was found in caulk; air fallout on oil-filmed dishes showed similarity to Aroclor 1242.

    Conclusions:

    • Airborne plasticizers, especially PAEs from filters and caulks, are critical sources of laboratory contamination.
    • These contaminants interfere with sensitive analyses of environmental pollutants.
    • Careful control of laboratory environment and materials is crucial for accurate trace analysis.

    Related Experiment Videos