scope:

This guideline describes the sampling and analysis of phthalic acid diesters in indoor air, in house dust and in solvent wipe samples by means of gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry.

Two alternative sampling and processing methods, whose comparability has been proven in an internal round robin test, are specified for indoor air [2]. Sampling can take place by adsorption on thermal desorption tubes that are, e.g., filled with Tenax® or glass wool and are subsequently processed by means of thermal desorption. Alternatively, sampling can take place by adsorption on adsorbents, e.g., Florisil® that are subsequently processed by means of extraction of solvents [3; 4].

The method is designed for the measurement of dimethyl phthalate up to di-n-octyl phthalate in indoor air for a sampling duration of 2 h to 24 h depending on the method. Concentrations of, e.g., 100 ng/m3 for di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate or respectively 10 ng/m3 for dimethyl phthalate can be measured with this method in due consideration of the method blank value.

Note 1: Sampling on PU foams [5] is not described in this guideline because cleaning and problems related to blank values are associ-ated with substantial additional efforts.

Note 2: Attention should be paid to the fact that the analysis of phthalates presents additional or respectively different challenges to thermal desorption in comparison with VOC analysis.

Depending on the sampling method, the compounds dimethyl phthalate to diisoundecyl phthalate can be analyzed in house dust [6]. Lower results of volatile phthalates such as dimethyl phthalate shall be taken into account. The investigation of house dust samples is only appropriate as screening method. This investigation only results in indicative values and is not acceptable for a final assessment of a potential need for action.

Dimethyl phthalate to diisoundecyl phthalate can be analyzed in solvent wipe samples. Solvent wipe samples are supportively appropriate for source identification.

Note 3: Basically, the method is suitable also for the analysis of other phthalates, adipates and cyclohexane dicarbon acid esters. The suitability shall be proven by determination of the performance characteristics.