ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly discusses the application, chemical properties and physical properties of methylene chloride. It presents detailed information on the air analysis and analysis of aqueous and nonaqueous samples of methylene chloride. Methylene chloride is a volatile halogenated hydrocarbon and widely used as a solvent. During the analysis of aqueous and nonaqueous samples of methylene chloride, aqueous samples are extracted by the purge and trap method. Volatile analyte is thermally desorbed out from the sorbent trap and swept onto a gas chromatography (GC) column for separation. Then, the aqueous extract or a solution of methanol extract is spiked into water. Air analysis of methylene chloride may be performed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or EPA methods.
