RESORCINOL – DETERMINATION METHOD IN THE WORKPLACE AIR

Abstract

Background: Resorcinol (1,3-dihydroxybenzene) is a white solid used in rubber, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paints and varnishes and other industries. Resorcinol is a harmful, irritant, methemoglobin-forming and hemolytic substance. It can cause kidney and liver damage. The aim of the study was to develop a method for the determination of resorcinol in the workplace air, which would enable the determination of its concentrations in the range 0.1–2 of the MAC (maximum allowable concentration) value. Material and Methods: The method relies on passing the test air containing resorcinol through a cellulose filter, extraction with aqueous methanol solution and chromatographic analysis of the obtained solution. The tests were performed using a liquid chromatograph (HPLC) 1200 series of Agilent Technologies with a diode array detector (DAD). The determinations were carried out using an Allure Basix column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm granulation). The procedure was validated according to European Standard PN-EN 482. Results: The developed method allows the determination of resorcinol in the workplace air in the concentration range of 4.5–90 mg/m3. The limit of detection is 0.087 µg/ml, the precision 5.16% and the relative expanded uncertainty 22.6%. The method described en-ables selective determination of resorcinol in workplace air in the presence of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene, 1,4-dihydroxybenzene, benzene and phenol. Conclusions: The method is characterized by good precision and accuracy; it meets the requirements of the European Standard PN-EN 482, and can be used by occupational hygiene laboratories to measure concentrations of resorcinol in workplace air to assess workers’ exposure to this substance.