Development of a Sampling and Analytical Method for 2,2-Dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane in Workplace Air

The use of 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (compound number: HCFC-123) is growing in industry as a substitute for ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Recently, liver-related illnesses have been reported from industries handling HCFC-123. However, information on worker exposure to the material is limited, and an acceptable sampling/analytical method is not available. The aim of this study was to develop a widely applicable sampling and analytical method to determine worker exposures to airborne HCFC-123 and to evaluate the performance of the method. A solid sorbent tube, containing two sections (400 mg in the front and 200 mg in the back) of activated coconut-shell charcoal was chosen for sampling airborne HCFC-123 vapor. The breakthrough volumes were 13.6 L at 3597±210.1 ppm (with a sampling airflow rate of 0.046 L/min) and 17.0 L at 1841±4.5 ppm (with sampling airflow rate of 0.046–0.050 L/min). Samples of HCFC-123 in the charcoal tube were stable for 7 days either at room temperature or in a ...