🌿 Isopropyl acetate in workplace air — adsorption of vapours on activated charcoal, desorption with carbon disulphide, gas chromatography; lowest determinable concentration according to the standard 50 mg/m³, MAC (NDS) 600 mg/m³, STEL (NDSCh) 1000 mg/m³; PN-Z-04119-7:2006
In short
Polish standard of 2006, part 7 of the series on acetic acid esters, with a method for determining isopropyl acetate in workplace air: the vapours are adsorbed on activated charcoal, desorbed with carbon disulphide and analysed by gas chromatography; the lowest determinable concentration according to the PKN catalogue card is 50 mg/m³. The test is performed according to PN-Z-04119-7:2006; Ranges in accreditation scopes: from 0.060 mg/m³ (AB 1642) to 4195 mg/m³ (AB 882, GC-MS); AB 869 — 0.01–15 mg per sample. The procedure comprises 4 steps; it is used for: Workplace air — isopropyl acetate — in the current scopes of 6 laboratories, Assessment of occupational exposure against the NDS of 600 mg/m³ and the NDSCh of 1000 mg/m³ (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 433 of the list).
At a glance
- Standard: PN-Z-04119-7:2006
- Category: Environment
- Procedure steps: 4
- STATUS (card as of 04.10.2026): PN-Z-04119-7:2006 current; card without a "Replaces" field
- Edition (from the PKN card): PN-Z-04119-7:2006, Polish version; published 24-03-2006, 7 pages, KT 159 Chemical and Dust Hazards in the Working Environment, ICS 13.040.30
- Lowest determinable concentration (card): 50 mg/m³
Overview
WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN catalogue card, in full (our translation): "A method is given consisting in adsorption of isopropyl acetate vapours on activated charcoal, desorption of the compound with carbon disulphide and analysis of the solution obtained by gas chromatography. The lowest concentration of isopropyl acetate that can be determined by this method is 50 mg/m3" (no full stop at the end on the card). We did not have the text of the standard (7 pages). The CIOP index of methods from 2000–2017 lists the article "Isopropyl acetate – no. 3(25) 2000" in the quarterly "Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy"; the full text is in the BazTech database, which requires passing a captcha test — we did not read the article and give nothing from it.
NDS VALUES (list in the annex to the regulation of 26 March 2026, Journal of Laws 2026 item 447). Item 433: "Isopropyl acetate [108-21-4]" — NDS 600 mg/m³, NDSCh 1000 mg/m³, without the "skin" notation. The lowest determinable concentration according to the card, 50 mg/m³, is about 8 % of the NDS.
STATUS (card as of 04.10.2026). The card of PN-Z-04119-7:2006 (Polish version) has no "Withdrawn" heading and no "Withdrawal date" row: published 24-03-2006, 7 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-04119" (04.10.2026) shows the series "Tests for acetic acid esters content" — part 7 is current; of the other parts, sheets 00 and 01 of 1978, part 2:1998 (sec-butyl acetate) and part 11:2008 (isobutyl acetate) are withdrawn.
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 04119-7 appears in 6 records at 6 laboratories; in the current PCA documents (read on 03.10.2026; issues from 26.11.2025 to 28.07.2026) — in 6 rows at the same laboratories; a search of all PCA documents downloaded from the BIP found no laboratories outside the database copy; no item is suspended and no document repeats pages. Form "PN-Z-04119-7:2006" — 5 laboratories, including AB 882 next to procedure PB-10 edition 1 of 31.08.2022 (GC-MS) and AB 1207 next to procedure PB-06A edition 7 of 20.01.2025 (GC-MS); AB 1144 writes "PN–Z-04119-7:2006" with an en dash. The "Laboratories" tab searches for entries beginning with the query typed: "PN-Z-04119-7" shows 5 laboratories, AB 1144 is found only under the en-dash query "PN–Z-04119-7" — 6 in total, the same in the copy and on the production server labcoda.pl (tab queries on 04.10.2026).
WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (database copy). Object: working environment — air (at AB 1144 and AB 1642 samples collected on a solid sorbent); at AB 1207 the object recorded in the copy also covers, besides the working environment, samples of ambient air and indoor air. Quantity: concentration (content) of isopropyl acetate (at AB 1207 — "1-methylethyl acetate (isopropyl acetate)"). Ranges in mg/m³: 0.060–2111 (AB 1642), 0.33–3300 (AB 1207, GC-MS), 1.90–2000 (AB 1144), 3.0–2000 (AB 581), 14.5–4195 (AB 882, GC-MS); AB 869 — 0.01–15 mg per sample. Technique: gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) — 4 laboratories; gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS) — AB 882 and AB 1207.
WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. First — limit of quantification: according to the card the lowest concentration determinable by this method is 50 mg/m³; all laboratories with a range in mg/m³ state a lower bottom limit (from 0.060 to 14.5 mg/m³), which requires conditions different from those in the standard — the report should name them. Second — detector: the GC-MS items (AB 882 with PB-10, AB 1207 with PB-06A) are performed according to in-house procedures, with the standard next to them. Third — object: at AB 1207 the same item also covers ambient and indoor air, for which the NDS is not a reference value. Fourth — searching: the en-dash notation at AB 1144 is not found under the query "PN-Z-04119-7". Fifth — the NDSCh of 1000 mg/m³ requires a short-term measurement whose conditions WE DO NOT GIVE.
WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We did not have the text of the standard — we do not give the volume or flow rate of air sampling, the type of tube and mass of charcoal, the column, the detector required by the standard, chromatograph conditions, desorption efficiency or calculations.
Method principle
Isopropyl acetate vapours from workplace air are adsorbed on activated charcoal, desorbed with carbon disulphide, and the solution obtained is analysed by gas chromatography; the result in mg/m³ is compared with the NDS of 600 mg/m³ and the NDSCh of 1000 mg/m³. Lowest determinable concentration according to the card — 50 mg/m³. WE DO NOT GIVE details — we did not have the text of the standard.
Applications
- Workplace air — isopropyl acetate — in the current scopes of 6 laboratories
- Assessment of occupational exposure against the NDS of 600 mg/m³ and the NDSCh of 1000 mg/m³ (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 433 of the list)
Key parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| STATUS (card as of 04.10.2026) | PN-Z-04119-7:2006 current; card without a "Replaces" field |
| Edition (from the PKN card) | PN-Z-04119-7:2006, Polish version; published 24-03-2006, 7 pages, KT 159 Chemical and Dust Hazards in the Working Environment, ICS 13.040.30 |
| Lowest determinable concentration (card) | 50 mg/m³ |
| NDS / NDSCh (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 433) | 600 mg/m³ / 1000 mg/m³ |
| Ranges in accreditation scopes | from 0.060 mg/m³ (AB 1642) to 4195 mg/m³ (AB 882, GC-MS); AB 869 — 0.01–15 mg per sample |
| Coverage in accreditation scopes (read 04.10.2026) | 6 laboratories, 6 records in the database copy, 6 rows in PCA; "Laboratories" tab: "PN-Z-04119-7" — 5, "PN–Z-04119-7" (en dash) — 1, the same on the production server |
Standard
- Standard number
- PN-Z-04119-7:2006
- Title (PL)
- Ochrona czystości powietrza — Badania zawartości estrów kwasu octowego — Część 7: Oznaczanie octanu izopropylu na stanowiskach pracy metodą chromatografii gazowej
- Title (EN)
- Air purity protection — Tests for acetic acid esters content — Part 7: Determination of isopropyl acetate at workplaces by gas chromatography
Step-by-step procedure
-
Sampling
Adsorption of vapours on activated charcoal; WE DO NOT GIVE details.
-
Desorption
With carbon disulphide (PKN card).
-
Analysis
Gas chromatography of the solution obtained; WE DO NOT GIVE conditions.
-
Result and assessment
Concentration in mg/m³; comparison with the NDS of 600 mg/m³ and the NDSCh of 1000 mg/m³ (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447); lowest determinable concentration 50 mg/m³.
Required equipment and apparatus
| Equipment | Example | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Gas chromatograph | Analysis of the solution after desorption (PKN card); the card does not give the detector or column | — |
| Air sampling set with an activated charcoal tube | Adsorption of vapours (PKN card); WE DO NOT GIVE the volume or flow rate | — |
Reagents, media and consumables
| Reagent | CAS | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Activated charcoal | — | Sorbent for isopropyl acetate vapours (PKN card) |
| Carbon disulphide | — | For desorption (PKN card) |
Health and safety (OHS)
- Carbon disulphide as desorbent — work in a fume hood, chemical laboratory safety rules
- TECHNICAL NOTE: a bottom limit below 50 mg/m³ requires conditions different from those in the standard
Frequently asked questions
Which standard describes this test?
The test is performed according to PN-Z-04119-7:2006 — “Air purity protection — Tests for acetic acid esters content — Part 7: Determination of isopropyl acetate at workplaces by gas chromatography”.
How does this method work?
Isopropyl acetate vapours from workplace air are adsorbed on activated charcoal, desorbed with carbon disulphide, and the solution obtained is analysed by gas chromatography; the result in mg/m³ is compared with the NDS of 600 mg/m³ and the NDSCh of 1000 mg/m³. Lowest determinable concentration according to the card — 50 mg/m³.
What is the measuring range and accuracy?
STATUS (card as of 04.10.2026): PN-Z-04119-7:2006 current; card without a "Replaces" field; Edition (from the PKN card): PN-Z-04119-7:2006, Polish version; published 24-03-2006, 7 pages, KT 159 Chemical and Dust Hazards in the Working Environment, ICS 13.040.30; Lowest determinable concentration (card): 50 mg/m³; NDS / NDSCh (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 433): 600 mg/m³ / 1000 mg/m³.
How long does the test take?
The procedure comprises 4 steps. The standard does not give a duration for every stage — the laboratory's own procedure decides.
What equipment is required?
Gas chromatograph, Air sampling set with an activated charcoal tube.
Where is this test used?
Workplace air — isopropyl acetate — in the current scopes of 6 laboratories; Assessment of occupational exposure against the NDS of 600 mg/m³ and the NDSCh of 1000 mg/m³ (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 433 of the list).
What safety precautions apply?
Carbon disulphide as desorbent — work in a fume hood, chemical laboratory safety rules; TECHNICAL NOTE: a bottom limit below 50 mg/m³ requires conditions different from those in the standard.
Which laboratory can perform this test?
The test is performed by laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. On LabCoda you can find them by the standard number PN-Z-04119-7.