Collection and analysis of butyltin compounds in air at nanogram-per-cubic-meter levels.

An analytical method for determining butyltin chlorides in air at low nanogram-per-cubic-meter levels was developed. Butyltin chlorides investigated were mono-n-butyltin trichloride (MBTC), di-n-butyltin dichloride (DBTC), and tri-n-butyltin chloride (TBTC). These tin chlorides were trapped on cartridges packed with Porapak-N, eluted with methylene chloride containing 0.3% HCl, hydridized with sodium borohydride, and analyzed by capillary gas chromatography with flame photometric detection. On the basis of a 20 m3 sample, a detection limit of 0.05 ng/m3 can be achieved.