ANALYSIS OF TRIBUTYL-PHOSPHATE IN FLAME-R ETARDANT TEXTILES BY CAPILLARY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY

Tributyl phosphate (TBP) in flame retardant textiles was analyzed by c apillary gas chromatography using a flame photometric detector (FPD). A successfully cleaned up preparation using the difference in liquid-l iqiud partition behaviour and a florisil cartrige column has been deve loped for the determination. The detection limit by this method was 10 pg. For the determination of TBP in textiles, TBP was extracted from samples with methanol under reflux at 70 degrees C. For the removal of polar materials, distilled water was added to the extract, and TBP wa s reextracted into dichrolomethane from the methanolic phase. After ev aporating the extract, the residue was dissolved in n-hexane, and appl ied to the florisil cartrige column. After washing nonpolar materials with n-hexane, TBP was eluted with 12-hexane containing 10% methanol. After evaporating the elute, the residue was dissolved in n-hexane, an d applied to the GC. The recoveries of TBP added to textiles at the am ounts of 2, 20, 200, 2000 mu g were 93-96% on the average. TBP was det ected in 3 out of 8 brands in textiles finished as flame retardant by this proporsal method.