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ChromJournalInnoVAtIVe pRoducts foR chRomAtoGRAphytesting the reduction of emissionswhen using scAt safetycaps onsolvent bottles in laboratoriesDipl.-Ing. Josef SparkSGS InStItUt FReSenIUS GmbH,Im Maisel 14, 65232 taunussteincommIsIonSGS Institut Fresenius GmbH received a writtenassignment from SCat europe GmbH to testthe reduction of emissions achieved by theuse of SCat SafetyCaps. test cabinet trialswere performed during which the amount ofemissions in the atmosphere were checkedregularly over a period of 7 days. acetonitrileand methanol were used as solvent components.test methodsacetonitrile. the determination was performedusing a silica gel tube for methanol or ananasorb-747 tube for acetonitrile. the analysiswas performed according to nIoSH 2000(methanol) and nIoSH 1606 (acetonitrile).the adsorbed material was extracted by solvent,and the extracted material analysed by capillarygas chromatography using a thermal evaporator.The detection was performed using a GC/MSsystem (ion trap), the selectivity was enhancedby chemical ionisation with water.meAsuRementsdetermining the atmosphericemissions by means of testcabinet trialstest cabinet trials were performed to determinethe emissions of methanol or acetonitrile into theatmosphere. For this purpose the test cabinetswere operated under the following definedconditions (based on DIn en ISo 16000-9):• temperature: 23 °C• atmospheric humidity: 50%• Product loading factor: 1 m 2 /m 3• air exchange rate: 0.5 per hour• Volume: 1000 ml bottle with or without anSCat SafetyCapSamples were taken at the outlet after 24 hours,3 days and 7 days, in order to determine theatmospheric concentration of methanol andMethanol emission in test chamberdetermination of the atmosphericconcentration of methanol oracetonitrile in a test cabinetAcetonitrile test cabinetconcentration in mg/m 3ResultsMethanol test cabinetconcentration in mg/m 3TimeWithout cap With cap Without cap With cap24 h 800 5 660 23 d 770 3 640 17 d 730 1 630 1Assessment of the atmosphericconcentrations determined duringthe test cabinet trialsConcen ntration (mg/m 3 )70060050040030020010001 3 7DaysSolvent bottle withoutSafetyCapSolvent bottle withSafetyCapWorkplace exposure limitto determine the emissions from an opensolvent bottle in comparison to a solvent bottleclosed with a SCat SafetyWasteCap, eachsolvent bottle was placed in a test cabinet andthe emissions of methanol or acetonitrile weremeasured after 1 day, 3 days and 7 days.It becomes evident that with a solvent bottlewithout a SafetyCap in the test cabinet,despite a continual air change, a concentrationof methanol of 630 - 660 mg/m 3 could beestablished, whereas with a solvent bottle withSafetyCap the results showed concentration ofonly 1 - 2 mg/m 3 .8VWR InteRnatIonal I chromJournal Issue 12 I 2012
For more information on these products contact your local VWR sales office, sendan e-mail to chromjournal@eu.vwr.com or visit our website www.vwr.comthis shows that with the SCat SafetyCapa significant reduction, almost to 0, of themethanol concentration in the test cabinet wasachieved, as a result falling significantly shortof the workplace exposure limit tRGS 900of 270 mg/m 3 . In contrast to this, when theSCAT SafetyCap was not fitted, the methanolconcentration in the test cabinet was 630 -660 mg/m 3 , which is significantly higher thanthe workplace exposure limit, resulting in anexposure which can affect the health of theemployees in the laboratory.Similar results were achieved in the test chambermesurements with acetonitrile. Using a SCatSafetyWasteCap, a concentration of 1 - 5 mg/m 3could be observed, while on the contrary, withthe bottle without any SafetyCap, the acetonitrileconcentration, despite a continual air change,was 730 - 800 mg/m 3 .Concen ntration (mg/m 3 )9008007006005004003002001000Acetonitrile emission in test chamber1 3 7Solvent bottle withoutSafetyCapSolvent bottle withSafetyCapWorkplace exposure limita comparison of the test cabinet emission resultswith the acetonitrile limit value to tRGS 900 of34 mg/m 3 shows that without the SCat cap, theacetonitrile concentration is significantly higherthan the workplace exposure limit. In contrast tothis, when the SCAT SafetyCap is fitted to thebottle of solvent, the acetonitrile concentration issignificantly minimised, so that it is considerablylower than the workplace exposure limit to tRGS900 of 34 mg/m 3 .DayssummARyIn summary, it is evident that the solvent emissions could be significantly reduced by the SCATSafetyCaps. In this respect, the use of SCat SafetyCaps can be expected to lead to a clear reductionof the exposure of solvents in the atmosphere in a laboratory.as a result the reduction in the solvent concentration in the atmosphere can be assumed to beof a similar proportion as was described above, leading to a significantly lower health risk for theemployees concerned.Furthermore, SCAT SafetyCaps significantly minimise the risk of contamination of solvent-free blanksamples in laboratories, so the use of SCat SafetyCaps can also be considered a measure ofquality assurance.chromJournal Issue 12 I 2012 I VWR InteRnatIonal 9
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