Impact of Storage Conditions on the Stability of Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Sampling Bags

Abstract

Odorous emissions from agricultural and waste management operations can cause annoyance to local populations. Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are dominant odorants that are often lost during collection using sample bags. The degree of VSC losses depends on factors such as storage time, bag materials, temperature, sample relative humidity (RH), light exposure, and the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To assess the impact of those factors on the stability of 10 VSCs (hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, ethanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, tert-butanethiol, ethyl methyl sulfide, 1-butanethiol, dimethyl disulfide, diethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide), laboratory-based experiments were conducted according to a factorial experimental design. Linear mixed-effects models were constructed for loss predictions. The estimated recovery of HS in Tedlar bag was 8 to 10% higher than in Mylar and Nalophan between 6 and 30 h. At ≤20°C and without being exposed to light, at least 75% relative recovery of the 10 VSCs in Tedlar bags can be achieved after 18 h, whereas, a maximum of 12 h of storage should not be exceeded to ensure a minimum of 74% relative recovery of the VSCs in Mylar and Nalophan bags.

Prediction of oral squamous cell carcinoma based on machine learning of breath samples: a prospective controlled study

“…If analysis within 20 min was not possible (n = 2), the sample was transferred to a single use mylar bag (QuinTron, Milwaukee, WI, USA), stored at room temperature and analyzed within 24 h [ 31 ]. During analysis we made sure that these samples did not differ significantly from the other samples.…”

Measurement and assessment of odorous sulfur compounds

“…Odour capture using sample bags is similar to using canisters in that they both provide whole air samples. Sample bags are useful for VSC collection as they capture the whole air sample matrix and are comparatively economical compared to other methods, although it should be noted that bags are disposed of after a single use (Fisher et al, 2018a;Hansen et al, 2011;Koziel et al, 2005;Le et al, 2015).…”

“…To date, the most common and versatile bag material that produces reasonably good stability of VSC samples is Tedlar. Tedlar has been examined in multiple studies and indicates excellent storage for the most pertinent VSCs showing stability for EtSH and DMS for 14 days, with other VSCs recovered after approximately 12 days (Hansen et al, 2011;Le et al, 2015;Sulyok et al, 2001). In a separate study, Lau (1989) concluded that Tedlar was the most effective sample bag medium for VSCs with the exception of SO 2 (Lau, 1989).…”

“…It should also be noted that many studies comparing Tedlar to Nalophan have used thicker Tedlar bags. Further research using identical bag thicknesses are required (Guillot et al, 2012;Le et al, 2015). Mylar is another considered alternative with comparable benefits to Nalophan (Adams et al, 2003;Le et al, 2013b;Le et al, 2015).…”

Dynamics of Volatile Sulfur Compounds and Volatile Organic Compounds in Sewer Headspace Air

“…Whole air samples (5 L) were collected into Nalophan sample bags using a lung sampler. Nalophan bags were used due to their availability and low cost, and have been previously demonstrated to provide an acceptable level of performance when compared to other bag materials (Le et al 2013;Le et al 2015). The samples were then transported to the laboratory and analysed within 24 hours of collection to reduce VSC loss due via transformation, permeation through the bag, or adsorption onto the bag surface (Le et al 2013;Le et al 2015).…”