Evaluation of an ISO draft proposal for sampling and analysis of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent vapors in workplace atmospheres.

The ISO draft proposal for sampling and analysis of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent vapors in workplace atmospheres (ISO/TC 146/SC 2/WG4 N41) has been evaluated by means of a round-robin test. For this purpose, the repeatability and reproducibility for the determination of tetrachloromethane, trichloromethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethene were determined at three concentration levels. Furthermore, parameters such as breakthrough and loss on storage were determined. Samples were taken by 11 participants from six countries. After statistical evaluation of the results, it appeared that improvements were necessary for the determination of tetrachloromethane and trichloromethane. For the other three compounds, repeatability and reproducibility were sufficient. Possible error sources and possibilities for improvements are discussed.