Eleven volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene and chloroform, and hydrogen fluoride (HF) were measured using gas detector tubes in the working environment of Kyoto Institute of Technology from 2005 to 2009. The results obtained using gas detector tubes for 5 years were compared with those obtained using other methods.
Acetone and methanol were measured in 60-80 % of the laboratories where 12 chemicals were used. Chloroform, toluene, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane were measured in 40-50% of the target laboratories. Chloroform and ethyl acetate were detected in 40-55% and 30-70% of the laboratories where measurements were conducted, respectively. Benzene was almost undetectable at laboratories due to the use of fume hoods and alternative solvents. VOC measurement using gas detector tubes is simple, rapid and accurate, and the VOC concentrations were found to be almost in agreement with or somewhat higher than those obtained using other methods; thus, VOCs measurement by gas detector tubes is very effective for the working environment measurement in college, and it can be used for the risk assessment and management of chemicals.
