Abstract

In this study, several kinds of volatile amines in ambiant air were collected and their concentrations were expected from the calibration curves prepared by standard solutions of 7 amines by the official measuring method prescribed in Japanese Offensive Odor Law. The obtained calibration curves showed a good linearity and the detection limit of trimethyl amine was found to be about 0.033 ppb (0.040 ng) in case of 50 liters air. It means that trimethyl amine could be detected with the concentration of lower than its permitting level at the border line of companies. As typical examples of measuring amines in air, results of investigation of two sewage works and one rendering plant around the capital area indicated that 4 kinds of amines, i.e. methyl amine, dimethyl amine, trimethyl amine and isopropyl amine were detectable and concentrations of trimethyl amine at the primary sedimentation pond and sludge dewatering building of the sewage plant A showed 9.07 ppb and 7.79 ppb respectively, being over the concentration of odor strength 2.5, And the aeration tank, excrement input facility and indoor of maintenance room of excrement process building in the sewage plant B showed 70.0 ppb of dimethyl amine and 2.44 ppb of trimethyl amine.