Simultaneous Determination of Benzene and Toluene in Pesticide Emulsifiable Concentrate by Headspace GC-MS

Abstract

The toxic inert ingredients in pesticide formulations are strictly regulated in many countries. In this paper, a simple and efficient headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HSGC-MS) method using fluorobenzene as an internal standard (IS) for rapid simultaneous determination of benzene and toluene in pesticide emulsifiable concentrate (EC) was established. The headspace and GC-MS conditions were investigated and developed. A nonpolar fused silica Rtx-5 capillary column (30 m × 0.20 mm i.d. and 0.25 μm film thickness) with temperature programming was used. Under optimized headspace conditions, equilibration temperature of 120°C, equilibration time of 5 min, and sample size of 50 μL, the regression of the peak area ratios of benzene and toluene to IS on the concentrations of analytes fitted a linear relationship well at the concentration levels ranging from 3.2 g/L to 16.0 g/L. Standard additions of benzene and toluene to blank different matrix solutions 1ead to recoveries of 100.1%–109.5% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.3%–8.1%. The method presented here stands out as simple and easily applicable, which provides a way for the determination of toxic volatile adjuvant in liquid pesticide formulations.

Looking beyond the Active Substance: Comprehensive Dissipation Study of Myclobutanil-Based Plant Protection Products in Tomatoes and Grapes Using Chromatographic Techniques Coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

“…For the analysis of coformulants in vegetable samples at lower limits, an automated headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) could be used since they are normally volatile compounds, such as naphtha, benzene, and toluene compounds. Thus, this technique allows for the preconcentration of the compounds, minimizing sample treatment and reducing experimental errors . On the other hand, liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC–MS) is commonly applied for the determination of myclobutanil and metabolites …”

“…Thus, this technique allows for the preconcentration of the compounds, minimizing sample treatment and reducing experimental errors. 20 On the other hand, liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC−MS) is commonly applied for the determination of myclobutanil and metabolites. 8 For all of that, the dissipation of myclobutanil and its coformulants was evaluated in this study under different temperature conditions, room and refrigerated temperatures (22 and 3 °C), since they could affect both myclobutanil dissipation and metabolites' formation in a different way, in tomato and grape samples treated with the commercial product Mitrus.…”

Simulating Impacts of Biosparging on Release and Transformation of Poly- and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances from Aqueous Film-Forming Foam-Impacted Soil

“…Toluene was analyzed by headspace GC–mass spectrometry (MS) (Trace 1310 GC coupled with TSQ 8000 Evo MS/MS and TriPlus RSH autosampler, Thermo Fisher Scientific) using a method based on Cao et al (Section S1). DO and pH measurements were taken at least once per week in a N 2 -sparged centrifuge tube sealed with parafilm. Because of the slow flow rates, effluents were collected for approximately 1 h to obtain sufficient volume for the DO and pH probes.…”

Characterization of Benzene Samples Taken from Different Areas in Sudan Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

“…The American Petroleum Institute (API) stated in 1948 that "it is generally considered that the only absolutely safe concentration for benzene is zero" [9]. There is no safe exposure level; even tiny amounts can cause harm.…”