Paraldehyde, Toluene, and Methylene Chloride Analysis by Headspace Gas Chromatography

This report describes a headspace sampling procedure that allows an assay technique for blood alcohol to be easily modified for the infrequent requests for other volatile substances. Also presented are three cases in which the toxic agents were volatile compounds. In all these cases, headspace sampling for gas chromatographic analysis proved useful in the confirmation of the substances involved. Specific assays for paraldehyde, toluene, and methylene chloride are described. Retention characteristics of various volatile substances on 0.2% Carbowax 1500 on Carbopack C are listed.