Passive Air Sampling (PDF) - Columbia Analytical Services

Passive Air SamplingColumbia Analytical now offers analysis of Radiello® passive diffusive air samplers. Used in Europe for over 10 years,passive diffusive samplers are now gaining attention in the United States for many air sampling applications.Passive diffusive air sampling can yield qualitative and/orquantitative information for many individual compounds (such ashydrogen sulfide) and chemical classes (such as volatile organiccompounds). Sampling with passive diffusive devices such asRadiello® is simple (no sampling pump required), discreet, and canachieve low reporting limits. With careful advance planning anddiscussion with laboratory staff, passive samplers can be used tomeet data quality objectives.Applications for Passive Diffusive Air Samplers:• Ambient air monitoring• Indoor air monitoring• Workplace monitoring• LEED/Green Building (EQ Credit 3.2) sampling• Fenceline/Perimeter air monitoring atremediation sites• Odor investigations• Landfill perimeter monitoring• Airport ambient air monitoring• Long-term (>24 hours) air monitoring• Air monitoring in remote locations(no electrical power)Columbia Analytical Services will offer analysis of the followingRadiello cartridges:• RAD130 (VOCs: CS 2desorption)• RAD145 (VOCs: Thermal desorption GC/MS)• RAD147 (Phenols/VOCs: Thermal desorption GC/MS)• RAD165 (Aldehydes)• RAD166 (NO 2/SO 2/HF)• RAD 168 (Ammonia)• RAD170 (Hydrogen sulfide)• RAD172 (Ozone)www.caslab.comAn Employee-Owned Company

Radiello® FAQs1. Are Radiello® “approved” by OSHA/NIOSH for IH use?Sigma Aldrich is pursuing addendums for OSHA/NIOSH methods for 2010. While the addendum will not officially “approve”the use of the devices, it will provide additional information that can be used to support the choice of using Radiello for aparticular project.2. Are Radiello® “approved” by EPA for use?At this time, there is no “approved” status for Radiello®, but it is involved in 3 large EPA studies at this moment. It is uncertainif the EPA will officially release a new Air Method with passive samplers.3. Are Radiello® a good “replacement” for or “improvement” on Summa canisters?For some sampling applications, Radiello® may be a viable option. However, the list of VOCs for the thermal desorption tubeand/or the chemical desorption tube is not as long as our standard 75 compound TO-15 list. This is partially due to the factthat, as with any type of sorbent sampling (e.g. active sampling TO-17), one sorbent material is not optimal for a very longlist of compounds of differing chemical properties/boiling points. In addition, with Radiello®, each VOC will have its ownsampling rate—and thus its own reporting limit. It is best to consult with the lab to see if the VOCs of interest at your sitehave established sampling rates.4. When would I use Radiello® instead of Summa canisters?Here are some examples:i. If you are interested in other parameters not sampled in Summacanisters: e.g. aldehydes, SO 2,NO 2, Ozone, H 2Sii.If you are looking for long-term indoor/ambient air sampling (longerthan 24 hours)iii. If you are looking for a discreet indoor/ambient air sampling option (i.e. you areworried that residents/neighbors will see the Summa canisters and wonder what is going on)5. Can Radiello® give me low reporting limits for risk based sampling?The longer you expose radiello for sampling, the lower the reporting limits will be. Thus, for some compounds/applications,Radiello® may yield very low reporting limits suitable for risk based sampling.6. Can Radiello® be used for soil vapor?The manufacturer cautions against using these samplers for applications such as soil vapor sampling, where the air flow islimited. There needs to be sufficient air flow by the sorbent media to apply the established sampling rates. Columbia Analyticalis currently participating in a study that is evaluating Radiello®, among other passive samplers, for high concentration/soilvapor samples. We will share results as soon as they are available.7. Do you have examples of projects where Radiello® has been used?Our lab is currently performing side by side sampling with various Radiello® and established sampling methods. We willshare results as soon as they are available. There are also numerous journal articles & conference proceedings mentioningthe use of Radiello® samplers—please contact the laboratory for a list of these publications.Contact Columbia Analytical to learn whether passive diffusive sampling can be used for your next project.2655 Park Center Drive, Suite A | Simi Valley, CA 93065805.526.7161 | 805.526.7270 (fax)www.caslab.comAn Employee-Owned Company