Development and optimization of a TD-GC/MS methodology for detection and quantification of furan released in air using of an experimental design.

In the aim of understanding the way in which human is exposed to furan present in the air of an occupational area, an analytical method of Thermal desorption-gas chromatography/Mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) has been developed and optimized using a Plackett–Burman experimental design.
This method was then used to study the phenomena of diffusion of furan released in air from a contamination source. This source of furan is simply a coffee machine located in a closed controlled room. Results show that furan concentration increases quickly over time after turning on the coffee machine until reaching a maxima. Then it starts to decrease slowly. On the other hand, concentration of furan seems to be identical everywhere in the conditioned room in each moment.