The method of styrene determination in ambient air and source emission
s is described. Styrene undergoes sorption on activated charcoal. Deso
rption with carbon disulphide is associated with free radical polymeri
zation of styrene which, at low styrene concentrations, results in dec
reased recovery burdened with large experimental scatter and excessive
variability with the lapse of extraction time. Polymerization of styr
ene is prevented by fortification of carbon disulphide with diethylhyd
roxylamine. Quantitative analysis is carried out by gas chromatography
. The limit of determination is 0.5 mu g m(-3) and 3 mu g m(-3) for ca
pillary and packed columns, respectively.