Integration of Headspace Solid Phase Micro-Extraction with Gas Chromatography for Quantitative Analysis of Formaldehyde

A study was carried out to evaluate the solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) for formaldehyde emission analysis of uncoated plywood. In SPME, formaldehyde was on-fiber derivatized through headspace extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The SPME was compared with desiccators (DC-JAS 233), small-scale chamber (SSC-ASTM D6007) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE-EPA 556) methods which were performed in accordance with their respective standards. Compared to SSC (RSD 4.3%) and LLE (RSD 5.0%), the SPME method showed better repeatability (RSD 1.8%) and not much difference from DC (RSD 1.4%). The SPME has proven to be highly precise (at 95% confidence level) with better recovery (REC 102%). Validation of the SPME method for formaldehyde quantitative analysis was evidenced. In addition, the SPME by air sampling directly from plywood specimens (SPME-W) correlated best with DC ( r² = 0.983), followed by LLE ( r² = 0.950) and SSC ( r² = 0.935).