Methodical peculiarities of air sampling for detecting contents of low molecular weight organic compounds on the example of furan and methylfuran

Introduction. Variable analytical control methodologies are applied in monitoring over contents of low molecular weight organic compounds in ambient air. Their unification is a vital and serious challenge requiring valid substantiation and selection of optimal air sampling techniques.

Our research goal was to substantiate and select an air sampling technique for chemical analysis of furan and methylfuran.

Materials and methods. Our research concentrated on developing and optimizing the process of air samples preparation for chemical analysis of furan and methylfuran; examining effectiveness of furan and methylfuran sorption-desorption using various sorbents. Standard furan and methylfuran samples (≥99.0% Sigma-Aldrich), heptane solvents, sorbent tubes with Tenax, Sylochrom С-120, and coal as sorbents were used in the research. All experimental studies were aimed at testing effective procedures for taking and preparing air samples for further furan and methylfuran analysis in them. They were performed on "Kristall-5000" gas chromatographer with mass-selective detection (MSD) and 25-meter long PoraPlotQ-capillary column.

Results. We comparatively analyzed the results produced by taking air samples for further detection of furan and methylfuran in them using different techniques. They included low temperature concentration; sorption on filters made of quartz microfiber and a sorbent tube with Nenax TA; sorption on a tube with Tenax ТА at t=20–25 °C. The analysis enabled us to reveal an effective procedure for taking ambient air samples for further detection of furan and methylfuran in them. This procedure was low temperature concentration of low molecular weight organic compounds on a sorbent tube with Tenax ТА.

Limitations. The accomplished study had no limitations.

Conclusion. The accomplished study allows us to recommend taking air samples during 10 minutes with consumption being 0.1 l/min for further detection of furan and methylfuran in them using low temperature concentration on a sorbent tube with TenaxТА. The achieved effectiveness is 99.2% for furan and 100% for methylfuran.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study has been accomplished in full conformity with the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes (ETS N 123), the Directive of the European Union and the European Council 2010/63/EC dated September 22, 2010  on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.

Contribution:
Ulanova Т.S. — overall concept, scientific advice;
Nurislamova T.V. — topicality, conclusion;
Maltseva О.А. — materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusion;
Popova N.А. — analytical and experimental work.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: April 11, 2022 / Accepted: June 8, 2022 / Published: June 26, 2022