The petroleum-laced background

Using passive headspace concentration (ASTM E-1412) and gas chromatographic /mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis as described in ASTM E-1618, the autho rs have studied the volatile components detectable in several kinds of othe rwise uncontaminated substrata, including clothing, shoes, household produc ts, building materials, paper products, cardboard, and adhesives. Due to th e use of petroleum-derived liquids in the manufacture of these materials, i t is frequently possible to detect the liquids, even when the products are several years old. These results point out the need for the use of comparis on samples whenever possible.