In situ analysis of solvents on breath and blood: a selected ion flow tube mass spectrometric study

We report measurements of residual vapour levels of xylenes and trimethylbenzenes, present following a floor re‐surfacing procedure, using the technique of selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS). A subject exposed to controlled amounts of xylene and mesitylene was monitored by direct breath exhalation over a 4‐hour period after exposure to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) had stopped. The headspace gases above 5‐mL blood samples taken over this period were also monitored. The decays of the solvent levels with time were fitted to a two‐compartment model with residence times for xylene and mesitylene of 0.37 h and 0.38 h, respectively (compartment one) and 2.5 h and 2.8 h, respectively (compartment two). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.