Trietyloamina. Metoda oznaczania w powietrzu na stanowiskach pracy z zastosowaniem chromatografii gazowej z detekcją płomieniowo-jonizacyjną

Triethylamine (TEA) is a tertiary aliphatic amine. At room temperature it is a colourless liquid with a strong ammonia odor. TEA is used as a substrat in production of quaternary ammonium compound, as a catalyst in polymerization process, as a solvent in organic synthesis and as an emulsifier in the production of dyes and pesticides. Occupational exposure to TEA can cause many adverse effects like skin, respiratory tract or eye irritation. TEA may cause also vision disorder like blurred vision or red-blue vision. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method for determining TEA in workplace air. The developed method is based on the collection of TEA on sorbent tube filed with two sections of silica gel coated with hydrochloric acid. Silica gel is extracted with methanol:water mixture and resulted solution is analysed with capillary gas chromatography with flame-ionization detector. The study was performed using gas chromatograph equipped with DB-5ms column. The developed method is linear in the concentration range of 7.5–150 μg/ml, which is equivalent to the range of 0.03–6 mg/m3 for 100-L air sample. The analytical method described in this paper makes it possible to determine TEA in workplace air in the presence of other substances. The method is precise, accurate and it meets the criteria for procedures for determining chemical agents listed in Standard No. PN-EN 482. The developed method for determining TEA in workplace air has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see Appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.