Qualitative determination of compounds adsorbed on indoor dust particles using GC-UV and GC-MS after thermal desorption

Fifteen indoor dust samples were analysed qualitatively to determine the compounds adsorbed on the surfaces of the particles. The analyses were performed by GC-MS and GC-UV after thermal desorption at 150°C. A total of 192 different compounds with boiling points from about 50°C to 250°C were identified or classified. The results from the two methods, which were carried out under similar conditions of thermal desorption and gas chromatographic separation, were complementary. GC-MS clearly showed better results for non-aromatic compounds such as alkanes, chlorinated hydrocarbons, acids, esters and alcohols, but for aldehydes and compounds containing unconjugated double bonds the two methods were about equally successful. However, for aromatic or conjugated compounds, the GC-UV method had a clear advantage. Also two iodonated compounds were determined only by the GC-UV technique. These findings indicate that the combined use of GC-UV and GC-MS is appropiate for the analysis of chemical compounds adsorbed on indoor dust particles.