• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.127-136
• /
• 1994

Diffusional sampling devices offer many advantages for measuring concentration levels of industrial contaminants than the conventional pump and charcoal tubes because they are lightweight, require no power, pump or tubing. This study designed to evaluate and compare the sampling performance of passive sampler to charcoal tube from mixed organic solvent workplace with 181 organic solvent using workers working in different concentration of organic solvents. All study workers kept both devices in their breathing zone simultaneuosly in the workplaces, and the sampling analytical results were compared with those of charcoal tube. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The concentrations of toluene and xylene measured by passive sampler were slightly higher than those of charcoal tube, but there were no significant statistical differences between two methods. 2. The concentrations of MEK and cyclo-hexanone measured by passive sampler in low exposure workplace (below 0.20 of MEK TLV levels and 0.1 of cyclo-hexanone TLV levels) were about 2 times higher than that of charcoal tube sampling. While, absorption efficiency of passive sampler was reduced according to increasing concentration measurements of MEK and cyclo-hexanone in air. 3. The ratios of concentrations of toluene, xylene, MEK and cyc1o-hexanone measured by passive sampler over those measured by charcoal tube were 1.11, 1.07, 1.63 and 3.65 respectively. 4. The percentages of concentration of passive samplers within 0.75 and 1.25 of charcoal tube value as a reference value of 1.0 were 57% in toluene, 74% in xylene, 34% in MEK and 32% in cyclo-hexanone respectively. 5. The correlation coefficients of toluene, xylene, MEK and cyclo-hexanone between passive sampler and charcoal tube sampler were 0.963, 0.957, 0.943 and 0.562 with statistical significance.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.56-63
• /
• 2013

This study was aimed at developing and evaluating a diffusive sampling method using a barium hydroxide solution as an absorbent for measuring carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) in ambient air. The collected $CO_2$ concentration was calculated by the change of conductivity resulted in the reaction of $CO_3{^{2-}}$ and $Ba^{2+}$ in aqueous solution. The sampling rate for the diffusive sampler was determined 0.218 mL/min, as obtained from the slope of the linear correlation between the $CO_2$ mass collected by the diffusive sampler and the time-weighted $CO_2$ concentration with the active sampling method. The unexposed blank sampler sealed in aluminium foil-polyethylene laminated packets has remained stable during at least one-month storage period. A good correlation was observed between the diffusive sampler and active sampler with a coefficient of determination of 0.956. This diffusive sampler would be suitable for the indoor $CO_2$ concentration monitoring.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.34-41
• /
• 2001

Passive samplers have been used for personal, indoor, and outdoor air monitoring of VOCs at ppb concentrations in community and office environments. The path length of modified passive sampler was shortened, so it was intended to increase an uptake rate. The performance of the modified 3M 3500 organic vapor monitor(OVM) as a tool for assessing exposures to toxic air pollutants in nonoccupational community environments was evaluated using combined controlled test atmospheres of six selected target volatile organic compounds(VOCs): benzene, methyl tert-butyl ether(MTBE), chloroform, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene, and toluene. The experiments were conducted by exposing the dosimeters to concentrations of $50{\sim}100{\mu}g/m^3$ on six face velocity(0.00, 0.02, 0.06, 0.12, 0.20, 0.30 m/sec) for 24 hours. If the uptake rate was increased, that means that we could use the passive sampler more effectively. The uptake rates were increased linearly according to reduce the path length. Although the diffusion path length was shortened, the change of uptake rate was within ${\pm}25%$ of theoretical value, indicating that the modified passive sampler(TM) can be effectively used over the range of concentrations and environmental conditions tested with a 24-h sampling period if the face velocities were over 0.12 m/s for 6 components of VOCs. But when the face velocities were less than 0.12 m/s, uptake rates were reduced more than expected values. So, the passive sampler with the shortened path length should be used at indoor or outdoor environment where the face velocity should be over about 0.10 m/s. If the path length was shortened more, the uptake rate was more effected by starvation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.159-165
• /
• 2013

Objective: This study was carried out in order to estimate atmospheric Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) concentrations using pine needles as a passive air sampler (PAS) in urban, semi-rural and rural regions. Methods: One-year old pine needles were collected to analyze their PCBs concentrations ($C_p$, pg/g dry) at the end of December. PCBs concentrations in ambient air ($C_a$, $pg/m^3$) were calculated with the $logK_{oa}-log(C_p/C_a)$) model. Results: PCBs concentrations in ambient air ($C_a$) were high in the order of urban, semi-rural and rural regions. The lower-chlorinated PCBs showed a higher concentration in ambient air. However, the distribution of PCBs congeners was similar in all three regions. Correlation between $C_a$ and the population density of the three regions was significant ($R^2$=0.9834, p<0.001). Conclusions: It was concluded that although the production and use of PCBs was banned in the1970s, PCBs are currently being produced unintentionally by human activities.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.17 no.8
• /
• pp.871-878
• /
• 2008

In this study, we measured volatile organic compounds in Gimhae city, South Korea. We selected twenty site and measured volatile organic compounds in ambient air by passive sampler when at sampling intervals of two month from April to December 2005. Passive sampler was exposed for fifteen day in ambient air. And samples were analyzed by GC/FID for volatile organic compounds. The results of each measured functional zone, mean concentration of each compound measured were generally higher the industrial complex area and traffic pollution area than residental area. Each area showed similar pattern for the observation period. concentration of measured each compound were the following order: winter > fall > spring > summer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.97-108
• /
• 1996

A new type of passive samplers were designed and produced by authors. After evaluating the quality of activated carbon by measuring recovery rate of organic vapors and steadiness of sampling rate, activated carbon with 30 - 35 mesh produced by Company S in Korea was selected. In each passive sampler, an amount of 400 mg of the activated carbon was filled in 25-mm cassette and covered by fixed screen (or wire screen with 100 mesh). In addition to the fixed screen, a wind screen (or wire screen with 300 mesh) was also attached at outer face. The sampling rate of the new Korean passive samplers was estimated Conclusions obtained in the study are as follows. 1. Sampling rates of the newly developed Korean passive samplers were affected by sampling time. For n-hexane, sampling rates of 15- and 60-minute samples were 70.92 and 37.45 ml/min, respectively. Sampling rate of both 200- and 450-minute samples was 25.96 ml/min. It is concluded that, when passive samplers are used for measuring organic vapors, samples be collected longer than 60 minutes. 2. Sampling rate of the passive samplers was also affected by airborne concentration of organic vapors. Lower sampling rates were determined at level of 1/2 threshold limit values (TLVs) recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). It is recommended that sampling rate of the passive samplers be obtained at site by measuring concentrations using both the NIOSH Method and passive samplers simultaneously. 3. When the passive samplers, which collected organic vapors, were exposed to clean air for five hours, there was no significant loss of organic vapors due to reverse diffusion. 4. When samples were stored at room temperature ($21.8{\pm}0.7^{\circ}C$) and refrigerator ($3.8{\pm}0.7^{\circ}C$), there was no significant difference in the accuracy of results. For trichloroethylene and n-hexane, accuracies were within 25 % at both temperatures until seven days. However, poor accuracy exceeding 25 % was indicated in toluene from the first day. It is recommended that samples be stored at freezing temperature below $0^{\circ}C$. 5. Sampling efficiency was significantly affected by direction of the passive samplers. Results of samplers facing wind and down, respectively, were compared. Lower amount of organic vapors were collected when the sampler was oriented down. It is recommended that, when air velocity is low in plants, the passive samplers be oriented to the wind. However, when air velocity is high, the passive samplers be oriented down.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.319-329
• /
• 2017

In this study, formaldehyde concentrations in two exhibition halls were monitored using a passive sampler from May 2012 to April 2013. Formaldehyde concentrations in the exhibition halls were 5 to 36 times higher than concentrations outdoors. Concentrations inside the exhibition room and showcase varied according to pollutant source, HVAC(heating, ventilation, air conditioning)system and environment management. The formaldehyde concentration levels were corrected according to a standard method prescribed by Indoor Air Quality Management Law of the Ministry of Environment, Korea. As a result, Most concentration levels exceeded the exhibition standard of the Ministry of Environment($100{\mu}g/m^3$) and artifacts conservation standard of Tokyo National Museum($50{\mu}g/m^3$). Seasonal concentrations in the exhibition room and showcase were in the order summer>fall>spring>winter. Formaldehyde emissions increased in summer when air temperature and relative humidity are both high. Formaldehyde concentration distribution according to the temperature and relative humidity showed positive correlation. Air temperature showed good correlation because $R^2$ was in the range of 0.8~0.9. Analysis of formaldehyde emission characteristics in the exhibition hall would be helpful in efforts to improve indoor air quality.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
• /
• 1997.10a
• /
• pp.173-174
• /
• 1997

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
• /
• 1996.10a
• /
• pp.135-136
• /
• 1996

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
• /
• 1997.04a
• /
• pp.55-56
• /
• 1997