Peracetic acid (PAA) is a commonly used chemical for sterilization. It is used as a disinfectant in the food and health care industries and has the advantage that it leaves behind no toxic residues. However, PAA is irritating to mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) has set a threshold limit value (TLV®) short term exposure limit (STEL) of 1.24 mg/m3 (0.4 ppmv) over a 15-minute period. In addition, efforts are currently underway at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to establish an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) concentration. New reliable sampling and analytical methods are urgently needed to permit reliable exposure measurements below the exposure limits. The objective of this study was to develop a field-portable colorimetric method for on-site measurement of PAA air concentration. This method involves collection of vapor-phase PAA, followed by colorimetry using N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPD), and quantification using a field-portable spectrophotometer. Vapor collection using a 3D-printed impinger and a glass impinger were explored. The DPD method is based on PAA reacting with an excess of iodide, causing the iodide to be oxidized to iodine. The iodine reacts with DPD to produce a magenta-colored product that is measured by a photometer. Limits of quantification were determined for a 15 L air sample, and were found to be 0.92 mg/m3, for a 3D-printed impinger and 0.79 mg/m3 for a glass impinger, respectively. These detection limits can be achieved with 15 minutes of sampling time. Good linearity was observed over the measurement range of 0.2-2.2 mg with near 100% recoveries. The method has adequate sensitivity, it is field-portable, and allows rapid onsite PAA analysis at concentrations approximately ten times below the ACGIH® TLV® STEL.

Field-portable colorimetric method for the measurement of peracetic acid vapors

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.