SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1990
STP18974S

Determination of Formaldehyde in Samples of Environmental Origin

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An analytical method was developed for the determination of formaldehyde in liquid samples and leachates of solid samples. After a review of the current literature, five candidate methods involving chemical derivatization were chosen for evaluation. Methods involving both liquid and gas Chromatographic procedures were considered. The derivatization method which satisfied all performance criteria was reaction with 2,4-dinitrophyenylhydrazine (DNRH) at pH 5, followed by quantification using liquid chromatography with absorbance detection. Mildly acidic derivatization conditions were employed to avoid unwanted generation of formaldehyde from ubiquitous precursors. Optimized experimental procedures include a 30 minute reaction time, followed by extraction using methylene chloride or a solid sorbent method. The derivatization of formaldehyde proceeded in high yield with excellent reproducibility. Laboratory blank levels were in the 10–15 ug/L range. The method satisfied performance criteria over the range of 15–1400 ug/L. Several authentic sample matrices were used to evaluate the method. The method was subjected to a single laboratory validation protocol.

Author Information

Bicking, MKL
, Columbus, OH Twin City Testing Corporation, St. Paul, MN
Cooke, WM
, Columbus, OH IT Corporation, Knoxville, TN
Kawahara, FK
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH
Longbottom, JE
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH
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Details
Developed by Committee: D34
Pages: 323–332
DOI: 10.1520/STP18974S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5123-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1293-3