Measurement of low-molecular-weight carboxylic acids in ambient air and vehicle emission by capillary electrophoresis.

Within the last few years, capillary electrophoresis (CE), especially with indirect ultraviolet detection, has successfully been utilized for the analysis of low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids in a wide variety of matrices (e.g., food, pharmaceutical, environmental, industrial, clinical). The speed, resolution, and simplicity of CE, combined with low operating costs, make the technique an attractive option for the development of improved methods in this field. Hence, CE is becoming increasingly accepted for routine analytical work. In this chapter, the unique capability and applicability of the five selected CE methods used in the analysis of LMW carboxylic acids in ambient air and/or vehicle-emitted samples are described.