Determination of triethanolamine in air samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry

Low amounts of triethanolamine, collected in ORBO 53 tubes during air sampling, required the development of a very sensitive method for determination. After desorption and silylation reaction with trimethylsilyl imidazole/trimethyl chlorosilane, the derivative was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on an Ultra 2 silica capillary column in single ion monitoring mode (retention time: about 6 min). The method has a detection limit of 1-2 pg with a desorption efficiency of about 81 %. Linearity of response was ascertained in the ranges 10-100 ng and 100-1000 ng. Short-term method validation was carried out by intra- and inter-day assays on three amounts for each reference calibration curve. All results satisfied the pre-defined acceptance criteria. In general, the whole procedure was easily performed and was appropriate for our needs. Breakthrough volume was determined on authentic samples and was about 40-60 L, using a flow rate of 1 L.min(-1). The amounts of triethanolamine found in the samples ranged from 150 to 250 ng (about 2.5-4.2 mu g.m(-3)).