The Use of Diffusive Samplers for the Measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Indoor Air of 44 Homes in Southampton

Abstract

Diffusive sampling using tube-type adsorbent samplers can be applied to the measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air of homes and outdoors. In the present study samplers packed with Tenax TA have been used to investigate VOCs in the air of 44 homes and at 4 outdoor locations in the Southampton area of the UK as part of a study of the effects of measures for the alleviation of the symptoms of asthma. These measures included installation of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems in 20 of the homes. No significant changes in concentrations of 6 VOCs (benzene, toluene, xylene, decane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and undecane) were observed following the MVHR installation. A range of other VOCs found in the homes is identified using mass spectrometry. Twelve different compounds were found to occur as the dominant peak in the chromatogram in one or more indoor air samples, whilst 63 different compounds appeared amongst the 10 biggest peaks.

Evaluation of a new passive sampler using hydrophobic zeolites as adsorbents for exposure measurement of indoor BTX

“…Some of them have been frequently employed to quantify air pollutants or/and assess people's exposure to them. [21][22][23][24] However, these samplers are vulnerable to variations of environmental factors. [25][26][27][28] Tolnai et al compared the sampling rates (SRs) of Perkin-Elmer tube samplers and found there were up to 300% deviations in different studies.…”

Temperature Dependence of the Organic Carbon/Water Partition Ratios (KOC) of Volatile Methylsiloxanes

“…No quality-control details are given. Brown and Crump (1998) found D4 in 37.5 per cent of homes sampled in an investigation of volatile organic carbon compounds in indoor air samples from 44 homes in Southampton. The samples were collected using diffusive sampling over a four week period.…”