Impregnated filters for the collection of ethanethiol and butanethiol in air

The use of glass-fiber filters impregnated with mercuric acetate is described for the collection of methanethiol and butanethiol in air. The entrapped thiol is regenerated from the mercuric mercaptide, formed on the filter during sampling, by treatment with acid. Samples are analyzed by gas chromatography with a relative error of ±4% and a RSD of less than 2%. The method may be used for the measurement of long-term or short-term exposures in the range of 0.1 to 1 ppm.