Behavior of the GABIE, 3M 3500, PerkinElmer Tenax TA, and RADIELLO 145 Diffusive Samplers Exposed Over a Long Time to a Low Concentration of VOCs

Abstract

Diffusive sampling is particularly suited to determine time-weighted average volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration in occupational hygiene and environmental air monitoring. The purpose of this study was to measure the sampling rate variation of four different samplers in a special use--the exposure to a low concentration of volatile organic compound (10 to 200 ppb) for a long period (1 to 14 days). PerkinElmer tube-type adsorbent was packed with Tenax TA and RADIELLO cartridge packed with Carbograph 4. Badge-type activated carbon diffusive samplers 3M 3500 and GABIE were exposed to the same controlled atmospheres of benzene as meta-xylene (BTX) during the same exposure times. Performance samplers were observed for variability of uptake rates according to concentration levels, exposure duration, back diffusion, and competition phenomena at the adsorption sites. Particular benzene behavior has been noted for the thermally desorbable tube-type diffusive sampler: the measured sampling rates decrease with time following an exponential profile. With badge-type active charcoal diffusive samplers, the uptake rates were found to be highly stable and unaffected by time exposure. Overall, in the region of a few tens of ppb, for long-time exposure and for the lightest compounds, 3M 3500 and GABIE diffusive samplers seem the most appropriate diffusive sampling technique in terms of performance and facility in use.

Extraction and concentration of vapors from fire debris for forensic purposes: Evaluation of the use of Radiello Passive Air Sampler

“…Data published by the United Kingdom Health and Safety Laboratory and by Oury et al [8][9][10] confirms this assertion for very volatile pollutants. On the other hand Radiello's sensitivity decreases rapidly with decreasing compound volatility.…”

“…With its 530 ± 30 mg of activated carbon, Radiello's cartridge possesses an adsorbent quantity superior to other devices (generally between 150 and 500 mg) [10]. The Activated Charcoal Strip of the DFLEX (Diffusive Flammable Liquid Extraction) device, commonly used for fire residues sampling, is of approximately 320 mm 2 (8 mm × 20 mm, two faces) which produces an adsorbing surface of about 1090 mm 2 (cylinder of 5.8 mm × 60 mm).…”

Diffusive Uptake Rates of Volatile Organic Compounds on Standard ATD Tubes for Environmental and Workplace Applications

“…The measured and modeled UR eff values are valid for 8-h and 7-day sampling in occupational and environmental settings, respectively. ATD tubes are not recommended for very short passive sampling, given the considerable variability of the UR during the first hours [27,56]. According to requirements for determining the retention volumes [34] and ASTM's sampling protocols [23], ATD tubes can be used for 4-8 h passive sampling of job-related chemicals at a concentration range of 100 µg/m 3 -100 mg/m 3 in workplaces.…”

“…UR ideal can be theoretically calculated for any compound given a certain tube geometry of A/L. In reality, the UR eff differs considerably from the UR ideal due to volatility of the chemical, weak sorbent, back diffusion and sorbent saturation during long-term sampling [19,27]. UR eff is a percentage of UR ideal and this percentage can be defined as the sampling efficiency α:…”

A Comparative Study of the Performance of Passive Samplers

“…Because of the high sampling rate, care must be taken not to saturate the sorbent with the component of interest. 11,12 Radiello diffusive samplers filled with a thermally desorbable adsorbent have been evaluated for the monitoring of BTEX according to the European Standard EN 13528-2 as a reference passive sampler. 13 The use of passive samplers under real conditions for monitoring and assessing atmospheric air quality requires a knowledge of the parameters responsible for the rate of analyte sampling by a particular type of sampler.…”