Analysis of volatile organic compounds in leather

Gas-chromatog./mass spectrometry combined with the purge and trap technique was used to det. the compn. of volatile emissions from various leather samples. The purge and trap technique consists on placing the leather sample in a hermetically closed vial at room temp. using inert gas flow to strip off and transport the volatile substances to an absorbent trap, to conc. the sample. The transfer of concd. sample to the gas-chromatog. column is accomplished by thermal desorption. Identification of alcs., aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, benzene derivs., etc., was carried out by mass spectrometry. For an upholstery leather sample with strong odor, volatile compds. detected include terpenes, i.e., limonene, pinene, etc. The method is convenient and easy to implement for routine assessment of leather products to meet environmental stds. for indoor air related to furniture, upholstery, automobile interiors, as well as leather garments.