Methods are described for the detection of amines as vapors and in solution. The lower limit of detection of diethylamine or triethylamine vapors by drawing the vapor through a detector tube containing silica gel impregnated with dichloroacetaldehyde and then heating is 25 μg. As low as 1 μg of the same amines can be detected In aqueous solution by the degradation of a chloral-dichloroacetaldehyde copolymer. Detection signal in the latter case is the appearance of fluorescence when liberated monomer dissolves a 2-diphenylacetyl-1,3-indandione derivative.