A field test for the determination of some ketone vapours in air

Abstract

A field test is described for the determination in air of those ketones most commonly use industrially, in concentrations up to twice their current threshold limit values. The vapour, the nature of which must be known, is collected in water and the solution allowed to react with acidic 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine solution. The addition of methanolic potassium hydroxide results in the formation of a red coloration, which is compared visually with standards after 10 minutes. A common series of standards is used for all the ketones, the volume of absorbent used and the size of sample taken being dependent on the identity of the ketone present in the atmosphere. Both the apparatus and method used are simple and the time required for a complete determination is between 25 and 50 minutes.