Gas-solid chromatographic procedures for determining acrylonitrile monomer in acrylonitrile-containing polymers and food simulating solvents.

A gas chromatographic method is described for acrylonitrile monometer (AN), using a nitrogen/phosphorus detector. Procedure for the analysis of AN in 5 food simulants (water, 3% acetic acid, heptane, 50% ethanol, and 8% ethanol) as well as in the polymer matrix are included. The quantitation limit for direct injection of AN/food simulant solution is 0.04 ng AN/microliter. AN-based polymers are dissolved in N,N-dimethylacetamide and injected directly. Residual AN in the polymer can be quantitated at the 0.5 ng/microliter level. Results of migration studies are also presented.