Technical note: Residues of gaseous air pollutants in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) tissues

The modern consumer is concerned not only for meat quality, but also about animal welfare and the environment. Studies were conducted to determine the concentration of gaseous residues in the tissues of rabbits. For this purpose, gaseous air pollutants were measured at the height of rabbit cages. Immediately after slaughter, samples were taken for analysis to determine the level of residual pollutants in the tissues (blood, perirenal fat and lung). Headspace gas chromatography was performed on the tissue samples to test for volatile toxic substances. Gas residues of 11 compounds were determined in the samples of blood, perirenal fat and lungs. The same chemicals were present in the air of the farm and the animal tissues, which may indicate their capacity for bioaccumulation. We recommend that the results should be used to develop guidelines regarding the welfare of meat rabbits and requirements for laboratory rabbits.

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Application of Headspace Gas Chromatography to Analysis of Residual Volatiles in Synthetic Rubbers

Rubber Chemistry and Technology ◽

10.5254/1.3535178 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 828-834 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

J. B. Pausch ◽

I. Sockis

Keyword(s):

Gas Chromatography ◽

Environmental Concern ◽

Phosphorus Compounds ◽

Toxic Substances ◽

Headspace Gas Chromatography ◽

General Technique ◽

Solution Approach ◽

Analytical Technique ◽

Flame Ionization ◽

Headspace Gas

Abstract The environmental concern for chemicals covers a broad spectrum in the world of today. There are traces of chemical compounds in the air, water, and soil that must be measured and identified, especially around a chemical or rubber plant. Likewise, the total composition of our industrial rubber products has become a major issue. We want to protect the rubber manufacturing worker, the rubber processing and fabricating people, and finally the consumer from exposure to possible toxic substances, undesirable odors, or any other type of irritant that may result from residual volatiles or decomposition products of our rubber products. For many years the conventional analytical technique for measuring residual monomers, solvents, and other small molecule impurities in rubber has been gas chromatography (GC). The sample was dissolved in a suitable solvent and chromatographed. However, the analytical requirements in the last couple years have dictated lower levels of detection than are possible with the solution method using flame ionization detection. Different approaches to this analytical problem have been widely discussed and will not be reviewed here. Briefly, they include the use of specific GC detectors, such as the electron capture detector for halogenated and other electron deficient compounds; specific detectors for nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus compounds; and the photoionization detector, which has become commercial within the last year. A recent paper described a modified solution approach combined with headspace GC. Each of these methods is suitable in certain analyses but does not represent a good general technique for hydrocarbon analysis in solid rubber materials. This paper describes various aspects of headspace gas chromatography as a general method for direct measurement on solid rubber samples for trace levels of residual volatiles. In addition, several other important advantages result from the elimination of the solvent.

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