Gas chromatographic determination of synthetic musk compounds in Norwegianair samples

A new method is described for the simultaneous analysis of nitro and polycy clic musks in air samples. Additional considerations are given to the aspec ts of sample preparation and blank problems. For the first time concentrati on levels of synthetic mush in selected Norwegian air samples were determin ed. In a preliminary investigation using ambient air samples prepared for t he determination of persistent organic pollutants, musk xylene concentratio ns were between 8 and 19 pg/m(3). A new sample preparation for the simultan eous analysis of polycyclic and nitro musks is presented. Both GC-electron impact (EI) MS and GC-negative ion chemical ionisation (NICI) MS were compa red as detection methods. GC-EI-MS is to be preferred for the determination of synthetic musks since GC-NICI-MS is not sensitive enough for the determ ination for polycyclic mush. Blank problems occurred which have to be caref ully considered during the whole work-up procedure. One indoor air sample w as taken in the laboratory where the clean-up of the samples took place to evaluate laboratory air contamination. A concentration for 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexa hydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-cyclo[g]-2-benzopyrane of 2470 pg/m(3) was fou nd using gas chromatographic separation coupled with mass spectrometric det ection in the electron impact mode (GC-low-resolution EI-MS). A set of four ambient air samples taken nearby the institute facilities was analysed for both nitro and polycyclic musks. For polycyclic mush, concentrations up to 130 pg/m(3) (GC-EI-MS) were determined and for musk xylene a concentration maximum in ambient air samples 54 pg/m(3) (low resolution EI-MS) was found . Critical considerations about laboratory contamination, clean-up and anal ysis of ambient air samples are given. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.