APPLICATION OF THERMAL-DESORPTION TO THE BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS IN EXHALED BREATH

We have developed a thermal desorption-gas chromatographic method for the analysis of organic compounds in exhaled breath air, to be used in the biological monitoring of environmental exposure. The exhaled brea th sampler is based on the concentration of compounds present in alveo lar air in a solid sorbent material. Isoflurane chloro-2,2,2-trifluoro ethyl-difluoromethyl-ether), an inhaled anaesthetic used widely in sur gery, and styrene, used in boat construction and the manufacture of fi breglass-reinforced plastics, are partially eliminated from the body i n exhaled breath, samples of which can therefore be used to monitor bi ological exposure to these two organic compounds. Recoveries were test ed in controlled atmospheres of isoflurane or styrene, with Chromosorb 106 or Tenax, respectively, as the adsorbent. We also investigated th e influence of relative humidity, an important factor in breath sampli ng, on adsorption.