Passive Badges for Compliance Monitoring Internationally

Abstract

Passive organic vapor monitors are used throughout the world to monitor workplace exposure to a variety of organic vapors. Exxon industrial hygienists were surveyed to determine the current state of government regulations regarding exposure monitoring and the level of acceptance within their own country or region for the use of passive organic vapor monitors for compliance monitoring. The data indicates that, in countries where the regulation of worker exposure to specific compounds exists, the selection of an appropriate air monitoring technique in most cases is left to the individual hygiene professional. In cases where a specific methodology is cited, alternative methods that can demonstrate acceptable levels of precision and accuracy also may be used. Passive organic vapor monitor methods have been developed and evaluated successfully by agencies such as the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety in the United States and the Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom for the monitoring of compounds such as aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and formaldehyde. The data indicates that use of passive monitors for regulatory compliance monitoring has been accepted by regulatory authorities in countries where specific monitoring methodology is not required.

Benzene exposure: An overview of monitoring methods and their findings

“…Passive vapor monitors or badges which collect VOCs based on diffusion are commonly used in occupational settings to measure ppm concentration levels present within the personal or breathing zone air as they present little burden to the wearer [14,15]. Passive badges have recently been used for environmental measurements where the concentration is typically several orders of magnitude lower by taking precautions to minimize blank contributions from the badge material and when handing of the sample, and from the extraction solvent; by increasing the sampling duration to 24 to 48 h; and by using sensitive analytical techniques [16,17].…”

Workplace Nitrous Oxide Sampling: Alternative Adsorbents

“…Passive diffusion samplers are widely used in occupational monitoring to assess exposure to organic vapors or gas. Several investigations have highlighted the advantages of passive sampling for occupational exposure assessment. − Compared to active sampling which requires the use of individual pumps, diffusive samplers are light, easy to use, and cost-effective devices.…”