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Journal of Analytical Toxicology Article Abstracts

Journal of Analytical Toxicology Horizontal Line

Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, ISSN 0146-4760, Volume 26, Number 1, January/February 2002, pp. 35-42

Quantitative Determination of n-Propane, iso-Butane, and n-Butane by Headspace GC­MS in Intoxications by Inhalation of Lighter Fluid
Marie-Paule L.A. Bouche[1], Willy E. Lambert[1], Jan F.P. Van Bocxlaer[2], Michel H. Piette[3], and André P. De Leenheer[1] [1]Laboratory of Toxicology, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
[2]Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Analysis, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
[3]Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Ghent University, J. Kluyskensstraat 29, B-9000 Gent, Belgium

This report describes a fully elaborated and validated method for quantitation of the hydrocarbons n-propane, iso-butane, and n-butane in blood samples. The newly developed analytical procedure is suitable for both emergency cases and forensic medicine investigations. Its practical applicability is illustrated with a forensic blood sample after acute inhalative intoxication with lighter fluid; case history and toxicological findings are included. Identification and quantitation of the analytes were performed using static headspace extraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. In order to reconcile the large gas volumes injected (0.5 mL) with the narrowbore capillary column and thus achieve preconcentration, cold trapping on a Tenax sorbent followed by flash desorption was applied. Adequate retention and separation were achieved isothermally at 35°C on a thick-film capillary column. Sample preparation was kept to a strict minimum and involved simply adding 2.5 µL of a liquid solution of 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane in t-butyl-methylether as an internal standard to aliquots of blood in a capped vial. Standards were created by volumetric dilution departing from a gravimetrically prepared calibration gas mixture composed of 0.3% of n-propane, 0.7% of iso-butane, and 0.8% of n-butane in nitrogen. In the forensic blood sample, the following concentrations were measured: 90.0 µg/L for n-propane, 246 µg/L for iso-butane, and 846 µg/L for n-butane.

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