DETERMINATION OF DIMETHYL SULFATE AND DIETHYL SULFATE IN AIR BY THERMAL-DESORPTION GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS-SPECTROMETRY

A method for measuring dimethyl sulphate (DMS) and diethyl sulphate (D ES) in air was evaluated, both in the laboratory and in the workplace. The method involved sampling onto sorbent tubes containing Tenax TA, followed by thermal desorption and analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. It was shown to be effective at measuring DMS and DES o ver the range 0.1 to 2 times the British occupational exposure limit o f 0.05 ppm for 8 hours. (C) 1998 British Occupational Hygiene Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.