Gas chromatographic determination of 1,1,1-trichloroethane in vinyl chloride polymers and in foods.

A gas chromatographic method is described for the quantification of levels of 1,1,1-trichloroethane in vinyl chloride polymer resins and in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) bottles used in the packaging of foods. By application of electron-capture detection the method can be extended to foods which have been stored in PVC bottles and 1,1,1-trichloroethane can be estimated with a limit of detection in the foodstuff of between 0.002 and 0.01 ppm depending on the food. The results of a small survey of the amounts of this compound in PVC bottles and foodstuffs purchased from retail outlets are reported.