🌿 Phenolphthalein in workplace air — high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection (HPLC-UV); lowest determinable concentration according to the standard 0.33 mg/m³ (240 l of air), MAC (NDS) 8 mg/m³ for the inhalable fraction; PN-Z-04506:2019-10

Environment PN-Z-04506

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN card, in full: "This standard gives a method for determining phenolphthalein (CAS no.: 77-09-8) in workplace air using high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. The method is used in the inspection of sanitary and hygienic conditions. The lowest phenolphthalein concentration that can be determined under the air sampling and determination conditions described in the standard is 0.33 mg/m3 (for an air sample volume of 240 l)." (our translation). We did not have the text of the standard (8 pages). The CIOP index of methods from 2000–2017 lists no article on phenolphthalein; AB 849 cites, besides the standard, the article "Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy 2018, no. 3 (97), pp. 119-129" — we did not read it and give nothing from it.

NDS VALUE (list in the annex to the regulation of 26 March 2026, Journal of Laws 2026 item 447). Item 246: "Phenolphthalein [77-09-8] – inhalable fraction" — NDS 8 mg/m³, no NDSCh and no "skin" notation; the inhalable fraction is defined according to PN-EN 481 (footnote 6 of the list). The lowest determinable concentration according to the card, 0.33 mg/m³, is about 4 % of the NDS.

STATUS (card as of 04.10.2026). The card of PN-Z-04506:2019-10 (Polish version) has neither the heading "Withdrawn" nor a "Withdrawal date" line: published 18-10-2019, 8 pages, price group D, Health, Environment and Medicine Sector, KT 159 Chemical and Dust Hazards in the Working Environment, ICS 13.040.30; the card has no "Replaces" field. The PKN search for "PN-Z-04506" and "fenoloftaleiny" (04.10.2026) returns only this standard.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, data load up to 17.09.2026, read on 04.10.2026). The number 04506 appears in 5 records at 5 laboratories; in the current PCA documents (read on 03.10.2026; issues from 26.01.2026 to 17.09.2026) — in 5 rows at the same laboratories; a search of all PCA documents downloaded from the BIP found no laboratories outside the database copy; no document repeats pages. The item of AB 1226 (issue no. 26 of 17.09.2026) is printed in bold italics in the PCA document — suspended from 10.06.2026 to 07.12.2026; in the database copy the object has an asterisk next to it ("Środowisko pracy - powietrze *"). All entries have the form "PN-Z-04506:2019-10"; AB 632 — together with instruction IB-77 issue 1 of 09.01.2021, AB 849 — together with the article from PiMOŚP 2018. The "Laboratories" tab (query "PN-Z-04506") shows all 5 laboratories — checked with a tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 04.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (database copy). Object: working environment — air samples collected on filters (at AB 1226 without this note). Quantity: concentration (content) of phenolphthalein; only AB 632 adds "inhalable fraction". Ranges: 0.33–16.7 mg/m³ and 0.080–4.00 mg in the sample — AB 300, AB 418, AB 849 and AB 1226 (suspended); AB 632 — 0.17–16.67 mg/m³ and 0.040–4.00 mg in the sample. Technique: high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection — HPLC-UV (AB 300, AB 632), HPLC-UV/VIS (AB 418, AB 849), HPLC UV/DAD (AB 1226).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. First — fraction: the NDS refers to the inhalable fraction, and only AB 632 records it in its scope; how the standard samples the inhalable fraction is not stated on the card — the report should name it. Second — limit of quantification: four laboratories give a bottom limit equal to the card (0.33 mg/m³; 0.080 mg in the sample corresponds to 0.33 mg/m³ at 240 l), AB 632 — half of it (0.17 mg/m³ and 0.040 mg in the sample), which requires conditions different from those in the standard. Third — suspension: the AB 1226 item is suspended until 07.12.2026. Fourth — accompanying documents: AB 849 cites, besides the standard, a 2018 article whose content we did not compare with the standard.

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We did not have the text of the standard — we do not give the type of filter and sampler, the air sampling flow rate, the extraction solvent, the column, the mobile phase, the wavelength or calculations.

Method principle

Phenolphthalein from workplace air is determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection (PKN card); the result in mg/m³ is compared with the NDS of 8 mg/m³ for the inhalable fraction. The lowest determinable concentration according to the card is 0.33 mg/m³ for 240 l of air. WE DO NOT GIVE details — we did not have the text of the standard.

Applications

• Workplace air — phenolphthalein, inhalable fraction — in the current scopes of 5 laboratories (one item suspended)
• Assessment of occupational exposure against the NDS of 8 mg/m³ for the inhalable fraction (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 246 of the list)

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-Z-04506:2019-10

Title (PL)

Ochrona czystości powietrza — Oznaczanie fenoloftaleiny na stanowiskach pracy metodą wysokosprawnej chromatografii cieczowej z detekcją spektrofotometryczną

Title (EN)

Air purity protection — Determination of phenolphthalein at workplaces by high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection

Step-by-step procedure

1. Sampling

   Air through a filter; according to the card the determinability is given for 240 l; WE DO NOT GIVE the fraction or flow rate.

2. Sample preparation

   WE DO NOT GIVE the extraction method — we did not have the text of the standard.

3. Analysis

   High-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection (PKN card); WE DO NOT GIVE conditions.

4. Result and assessment

   Concentration in mg/m³; comparison with the NDS of 8 mg/m³ for the inhalable fraction (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447); lowest determinable concentration 0.33 mg/m³.

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• Mobile phase and extraction solvents — chemical laboratory safety rules
• TECHNICAL NOTE: the NDS refers to the inhalable fraction; the AB 1226 item is suspended until 07.12.2026

Frequently asked questions