Headspace gas chromatography analysis of toxic contaminants in ethoxylated alcohols and alkylamines

Headspace-gas chromatography was used to determine the contents of toxic 1,4-dioxane, ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol in ethoxylated alcohols and alkylamines, and in commercial cosmetics and washing products. A Permaphase PEG capillary column was used for the determination of 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide and a DB-17 column for ethylene glycol determination. Dimethylformamide was used as the solvent in the determination of 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, and undecanol in the case of ethylene glycol. The detection limits for ethylene oxide, 1,4-dioxane and ethylene glycol are 1, 2 and 10 mu g.g(-l), respectively.