A simple method for carbon disulfide monitoring using a diffusive sampler, thermal desorption and a stain tube

A simple sampling and analytical method for monitoring carbon disulfide (CS₂) vapor was investigated to assess exposure to low levels of CS₂ in a viscose rayon factory. CS₂ vapor was adsorbed on polymer beads (poly (2,6- diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide)) packed in a diffusive sampling tube. The sampling tube was heated at 180°C for 7 min using a Daily Exposure Limit Test Apparatus, and thermally desorbed CS₂ was measured by a stain tube for CS₂. In laboratory experiments, the indicated CS₂ levels measured by this method were highly correlated with calibrated CS₂ concentrations (1-40 ppm), exposure duration (1-8 hr) and cumulative exposure levels. The CS₂ values were stable up to 7 days after sampling when the diffusive tubes were stored at 4°C and 20°C. The effects of relative humidity, wind velocity and hydrogen sulfide on the measured values were negligible. In a field survey, 65 workers in a viscose rayon factory wore both the diffusive sampling tube and a commercially available 3M 3500 organic vapor monitor on their collar during their 8-hr work period. CS₂ concentrations obtained by the two methods were comparable and the correlation coefficient was 0.931. This method proved to be useful in determining the concentrations of CS₂ to which workers were exposed.