Determination of Volatile Nitrosamines in Latex Products by HS-SPME–GC–MS

Nitrosamines which have been detected in various latex products are carcinogens. The method for determination of volatile nitrosamines in latex products was developed using a combination of headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS) fiber was used for HS-SPME involving the following variables: (1) agitation conditions, (2) extraction temperature (3) extraction time, and (4) salt concentration. The instrument performances of three detection systems including GC combined thermal energy analyzer, nitrogen chemiluminescence detector and MS were evaluated. The agitation conditions including magnetic stirring and ultrasonication were investigated by the comparison of extraction efficiency of HS-SPME for nitrosamines. Obtained optimal detection conditions of nitrosamines were HS-SPME at 45 °C for 60 min assisted with magnetic stirring and saturated NaCl followed by GC–MS. To evaluate this method performance, the commercial products including eleven latex products (gloves, balloons and condoms) and four liquid silicone nipples were analyzed with the method. The results revealed that the method is suitable for simple and effective determination of nitrosamines in latex products. The advantage of this HS-SPME–GC–MS method is simple treatment, fast analysis, adequate sensitivity and without organic solvent.