ACETIC ANHYDRIDE
OSHA Analytical Laboratory Salt Lake City, Utah 1. General Discussion
The current NIOSH method (Ref. 5.1.) for monitoring airborne acetic anhydride specifies collection with a midget bubbler containing alkaline hydroxylamine and analysis by spectrophotometry. The bubbler is cumbersome and spectrophotometry is nonspecific. Airborne acetic anhydride has also been collected on Porapak N solid sorbent and analyzed by GC/FID (Ref. 5.2.). However, the samples can not be stored for more than 10 days without significant degradation, even with freezing. A more convenient sampling method using glass beads coated with
In this method, a glass fiber filter (GFF) impregnated with 1.1.2. Toxic effects (This section is for information only and should not be taken as the basis of OSHA policy.) (Ref. 5.5. and 5.6.) Acetic anhydride vapors may be irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. Inhalation of vapors may cause severe irritation of the respiratory system. Due to its irritating effects, a ceiling value of 5 ppm (20 mg/m3) is set for OSHA PEL. Contact with the skin or eyes may cause burns. Ingestion may cause severe burns of the mouth, throat, and stomach. Ingestion may also cause nausea and vomiting. 1.1.3. Workplace exposure Exposure to acetic anhydride may occur in the following operations: manufacture of cellulose esters, fibers, plastics, lacquers, protective coating solutions, photographic films, cigarette filters, magnetic tape, and thermoplastic molding compositions; manufacture of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical intermediates; use in organic synthesis as an acetylating agent, bleaching agent, and dehydrating agent; synthesis of perfume chemicals, explosives, and weed killers; use in acetylation of animal and vegetables oils; use as an acetylating agent and dehydrating agent in textile dyeing, chemical treatment of paper, and chemical analysis. (Ref. 5.7.) Of these, by far the greatest single application for acetic anhydride is in the manufacture of cellulose esters. It is estimated that 95% of the total U.S. production is used for this purpose. (Ref. 5.8.) 1.1.4. Physical properties and other descriptive information (Ref. 5.9. unless noted otherwise)
1.2. Limit defining parameters
The detection limit of the analytical procedure is 11 pg on column (1.0 µL injection of 0.076 µg/mL solution with 7:1 split). This is the amount of analyte which gave a peak with height about 5 times the baseline noise. (Section 4.1.) 1.2.2. Detection limit of the overall procedure The detection limit of the overall procedure is 0.51 µg per sample (0.16 ppm, 0.68 mg/m3). This is the amount of analyte spiked on the sampling device which allows recovery of an amount equivalent to the detection limit of the analytical procedure. (Section 4.2.) 1.2.3. Reliable quantitation limit The reliable quantitation limit is 0.51 µg per sample (0.16 ppm, 0.68 mg/m3). This is the smallest amount of analyte spiked on the sampling device which can be quantitated within the requirements of a recovery of at least 75% and a precision (±1.96 SD) of ±25% or better. (Section 4.3.)
1.2.4. Instrument response to the analyte The instrument response over the concentration range of 0.5 to 2 times the target concentration is linear. (Section 4.4.) 1.2.5. Recovery The recovery of AcPP from samples used in a 15-day storage test remained above 83% when the samples were stored at ambient temperature. (Section 4.5.) The recovery of an analyte from the collection medium during storage must be 75% or greater. 1.2.6. Precision (analytical procedure only) Nine analytical standards were prepared from three stock standards (individually prepared) by making serial dilutions to represent 0.5, 1, and 2 times the target concentration. The pooled coefficient of variation obtained from duplicate injections of the nine analytical standards is 0.034. (Section 4.6.) 1.2.7. Precision (overall procedure) The precision at the 95% confidence level for the ambient 15-day storage test is ±14.7%. (Section 4.7.) This includes an additional ±5% for pump error. The overall procedure must provide results at the target concentration that are ±25% or better at the 95% confidence level. 1.2.8. Reproducibility A draft copy of this procedure and six samples collected from a controlled test atmosphere at the target concentration [80% RH, 23°C, 87.7 kPa (658 mmHg)] were given to a chemist unassociated with this evaluation. The samples were stored in a refrigerator at 0°C for 1 day before being analyzed. No individual sample result deviated from its theoretical value by more than the precision reported in Section 1.2.7. (Section 4.8.) 1.3. Advantage The acetic anhydride is derivatized in situ, eliminating the possibility of its being hydrolyzed during storage. 1.4. Disadvantage The method is subject to interference from ketene and acetyl chloride. 2. Sampling Procedure
2.1.2. A four-piece polystyrene cassette containing two glass fiber filters each impregnated with 2.5 mg of 2.1.3. Assemble the cassette by placing the extra spacer in front of the first filter. (Figure 2.3.1.) 2.2. Reagents No reagent is required for sampling. 2.3. Sampling technique
2.3.2. Replace the small plugs after sampling. Seal the sample 2.3.3. Submit at least one blank with each set of samples. Handle the blank the same as the other samples except draw no air through it. 2.3.4. List any potential interferences on the sample data sheet. 2.4. Sampler capacity The sampler capacity was evaluated with a test atmosphere (80% RH) at 1.7 times the target concentration. Two samplers were placed in series. The upstream sampler contained only the front filter. The back sampler was replaced with a new sampler every 20 min to monitor the downstream air concentration. The 5% breakthrough point, defined as the point where the downstream analyte concentration is 5% of the upstream concentration, was reached at 180 min of sampling at the recommended sampling rate. (Section 4.9.) 2.5. Extraction efficiency and stability of extracted samples (Section 4.10.)
2.5.2. Extracted samples remain stable for at least 24 h when stored at room temperature. 2.6. Recommended air volume and sampling rate
2.6.2. The recommended air sampling rate is 0.05 L/min. 2.7. Interferences (sampling)
Compounds that can react with 2.8. Safety precautions (sampling) Attach the sampling equipment to the worker in such a manner that it will not interfere with work performance or safety. Follow all safety practices applicable to the work area. 3. Analytical Procedure
3.1.2. A GC column capable of separating AcPP, benzalazine, and any interferences. A 15 m
3.1.3. An electronic integrator or other suitable means of measuring detector response. A 3.1.4. Scintillation vials, 20 mL. 3.1.5. Volumetric flasks and pipets. 3.2. Reagents
3.2.2. 1-(2-Pyridyl)piperazine. 1-(2-Pyridyl)piperazine, 98%, was obtained from Aldrich Chemical. 3.2.3. 1-Acetyl-4-(2-pyridyl)piperazine (AcPP). Synthesized as in Section 4.12. 3.2.4. Benzalazine. Benzalazine from K & K was used in this evaluation. 3.2.5. Toluene. Toluene was obtained from American Burdick and Jackson. 3.2.6. 2-Propanol. 2-Propanol, Optima, from Fisher was used.
3.2.7. Extraction solvent with internal standard. Dissolve 10 mg of benzalazine in
1 L of 3.3. Standard preparation
(MW acetic anhydride) /( MW AcPP) = 102.09/205.27 = 0.4973 3.3.2. Prepare analytical standards by further diluting the stock standards with the extraction solvent. An analytical standard of 3.0 µg/mL represents 1 times the target concentration. 3.3.3. Prepare a sufficient number of standards to generate calibration curves. Analytical standard concentrations must bracket sample concentrations. 3.4. Sample preparation
3.4.2. Add 5.0 mL of the extraction solvent to each vial. 3.4.3. Cap the vials and shake them on a mechanical shaker for 1 h. 3.5. Analysis
3.5.2. Measure detector response using a suitable method such as electronic integration.
3.5.3. Construct a calibration curve using an internal standard method by plotting
µg/mL versus 3.6. Interferences (analytical)
3.6.2. Ketene and acetyl chloride, being able to react with 3.6.3. Retention time on a single column is not considered proof of chemical identity. Analyte identity should be confirmed by GC/mass spectrometry if possible. The mass spectrum of AcPP is shown in Figure 1.1.3. 3.7. Calculations The analyte concentration for samples is obtained from the calibration curve in terms of micrograms per milliliter uncorrected for extraction efficiency. The concentrations are converted to µg per sample by multiplying with 5.0 mL (extraction volume). The back filter is analyzed primarily to determine if there was any breakthrough from the front filter during sampling. If a significant amount of analyte is found on the back filter (e.g., greater than 25% of the amount found on the front filter), this fact should be reported with sample results. If any analyte is found on the back filter, it is added to the amount found on the front filter. This total analyte amount is corrected by subtracting the amount found in the blank. The air concentration is obtained by using the following formula.
where extraction efficiency = 0.977
3.8. Safety precautions (analytical) Avoid skin contact and inhalation of all chemicals. Restrict the use of all chemicals to a fume hood when possible. Wear safety glasses and a lab coat at all times while in the lab area. 4. Backup Data
The detection limit of the analytical procedure is 11 pg on column (1.0 µL injection of 0.076 µg/mL solution with 7:1 split). This is the amount of analyte that will give a peak with height approximately 5 times the height of the baseline noise. A chromatogram of the detection limit of the analytical procedure is shown in Figure 4.1. 4.2. Detection limit of the overall procedure
The detection limit of the overall procedure is 0.51 µg per sample (0.16 ppm, 0.68 mg/m3). This is the amount of analyte spiked on the sampling device which allows recovery of an amount equivalent to the detection limit of the analytical procedure. Six
4.3. Reliable quantitation limit The reliable quantitation limit is also 0.51 µg per sample (0.16 ppm, 0.68 mg/m3). This was derived from the samples and data of Table 4.2. Because the recovery was greater than 75% and the precision (1.96 SD) was less than 25%, the detection limit of the overall procedure and reliable quantitation limit are the same.
4.4. Instrument response The instrument response (ISTD corrected) to AcPP over the range of 0.5 to 2 times the target concentration is linear with a slope of 1.055. The responses to AcPP were determined by duplicate injections of nine analytical standards prepared from three stock standards (individually prepared). Because the concentrations of these standards were slightly different, the ratios of response to µg/mL were compared. The data are summarized in Table 4.4. and presented graphically in Figure 4.4.
4.5. Storage data
Thirty-six samples were generated by sampling a test atmosphere (one times the target
concentration, 80% RH) at 0.05 L/min for 15 min. Six samples were analyzed immediately after the generation. Fifteen samples were stored in a refrigerator (0°C) and the other fifteen were stored in the dark at ambient temperature
4.6. Precision (analytical method only) The precision of the analytical procedure is 0.034. The precision of the analytical procedure is defined as the pooled coefficient of variation determined from duplicate injections of nine analytical standards representing 0.5, 1, and 2 times the target concentration (Section 4.4.).
4.7. Precision (overall procedure) The precision of the overall procedure is determined from the storage data. The determination of the standard error of estimate (SEE) for a regression line plotted through the graphed storage data allows the inclusion of storage time as one of the factors affecting overall precision. The SEE is similar to the standard deviation except it is a measure of dispersion of data about a regression line instead of about a mean. It is determined with the following equation:
An additional ±5% for pump error is added to the SEE by the addition of variances. The precision at the 95% confidence level is obtained by multiplying the SEE (with pump error included) by 1.96 (the 4.8. Reproducibility data
Six samples, collected from a controlled test atmosphere [80% RH,
4.9. Sampler capacity Sampler capacity was tested by sampling a test atmosphere of 33.4 mg/m3 acetic anhydride at ambient temperature and 80% relative humidity. Two samplers, each containing only the front filter, were placed in series and the back sampler was replaced with a new one every 20 minutes to monitor the downstream air concentration. The sampling rate was 0.0507 L/min. The data are presented in Figure 4.9. The 5% breakthrough point, defined as the point where the downstream analyte concentration reaches 5% of the upstream concentration, was 180 min.
4.10. Extraction efficiency and stability of extracted samples
The extraction efficiency for AcPP was determined by liquid-spiking
4.10.2. Stability of extracted samples The stability of extracted samples was investigated by reanalyzing the extracted samples with fresh standards about 24 h after the original analysis. The samples had been recapped and stored at room temperature. The average of the reanalyzed samples relative to the average of the original analysis was 99.8%.
4.11. Chromatograms A chromatogram at the detection limit of the analytical procedure is shown in Figure 4.1. and a chromatogram at the target concentration is shown in Figure 3.5.1. 4.12. Synthesis of AcPP
1-(2-Pyridyl)piperazine, 98%, from Aldrich 4.12.2. Apparatus
Erlenmeyer flasks 4.12.3. Procedure
Add a solution of 1.63 g of
5. References
5.2. Qazi, A.H. and Vincent, W.J., "Sampling and Analysis of Acetic Anhydride in Air", Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J., 40(9):
5.3. Langhorst, M.L., "Monitoring Airborne Reactive Chemicals by Derivatization and High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography - Anhydrides, Acid Halides, Isocyanates", Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J., 46(5): 5.4. Standen, A., Ed., "Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology", 3rd edition, Volume 1, p. 163. Interscience Publishers, New York, N.Y., 1984. 5.5. J.T. Baker Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). 5.6. "Air Contaminants - Permissible Exposure Limits", Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29; 1910.1000, U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA; Washington, D.C., 1989, DOL (OSHA) Publ. No. OSHA 3112.
5.7. "NIOSH/OSHA Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards", U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Government Printing Office, DHHS(NIOSH) Publication No.
5.8. Reference 5.4. Volume 1, p. 158.
5.9. Sweet, D.V., Ed., "Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances", 5.10. Weast, R.C., Ed., "Handbook of Chemistry and Physics", 67th edition, Boca Raton, Florida, CRC Press, 1986. 5.11. Author's personal observations.
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