A new passive sampler for regulated workplace aldehydes

Appl Occup Environ Hyg. 1999 Apr;14(4):255-62. doi: 10.1080/104732299303034.

Abstract

A new solid sorbent passive air sampler for aldehydes had a silicone membrane atop a cylindrical diffusion path of 1.1 cm length and 1.3 cm diameter above a 10 percent (w/w) O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA) Tenax TA pellet. Known vapor concentrations of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-regulated aldehydes near their permissible exposure limits were generated from a syringe pump dynamic air dilution system that was connected to an exposure chamber. The O-oxime derivatives from aldehyde reaction with PFBHA were desorbed with hexane, and quantified by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or gas chromatography/electron capture detection (GC/ECD). The capacity for aldehydes with one carbonyl group was 30-35 mumoles, and 15 mumoles for the dialdehyde, glutaraldehyde. The experimental sampling rates in mL/min were 8.86 +/- 0.38, acetaldehyde; 11.69 +/- 0.32, chloroacetaldehyde; 7.85 +/- 0.19, crotonaldehyde; 9.97 +/- 0.10, formaldehyde; 6.47 +/- 0.42, furfural; and 4.46 +/- 0.15, glutaraldehyde. Other data on valeraldehyde and acrolein have shown that the sampling constants were independent of face velocity between 0.1 to 0.35 m/s (20 to 70 fpm), temperatures between 9 to 48 degrees C, RH between 3 to 79 percent, and intermittent sampling exposure pattern.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Air Pollution, Indoor*
  • Aldehydes / analysis*
  • Filtration / instrumentation*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Aldehydes