APPLICATION OF MICRODIFFUSION METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF BENZENE IN HOUSEHOLD ORGANIC-SOLVENT COMMODITIES

A simple pretreatment method by using a Conway microdiffusion unit was developed for the determination of benzene (Bz) in household organic solvent commodities by gas chromatography (GC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analytical procedure is as follows: each 5 ml of hexane was put into both the center and the outer portions of a Conway unit. A 0.5—1.0 g sample was added to the outer portion, and the unit was immediately covered. After standing for 4 h at 25°C, the solution in the center portion was taken and the content of Bz absorbed in the solution was determined by GC with a hydrogen flame ionizing detector and HPLC with a UV detector. This method was applied to ten commercial products, and 0.01—0.76 w/w % of Bz were determined in five products. The detection limit of Bz by GC and HPLC method was 0.01 w/w %. © 1990, The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. All rights reserved.