|
Determination of the Sampling Rate Variation for SKC 575 Series Passive Samplers
| Date: April 1998 | Chemist: Warren Hendricks |
Organic Methods Evaluation Branch
OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center
Salt Lake City, UT 84115-1802
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this work was to determine sampling rate variation for SKC 575 Series Passive Samplers.
The concept of sampling rate variation in diffusive sampling was established in previous work and it was
defined as the equivalent of sampling pump error in active sampling (Ref. 1). Tests were conducted to
determine sampling rate variation for 3M 3520 diffusive samplers in that work. These tests must be performed
for each unique design of sampler because the variation is presumed to be a function of sampler design. The
tests are based on exposing a specific design of sampler to a five-component solvent mixture in a 16-run
factorial test. The solvent mixture is composed of different classes of chemicals anticipated to provide a
difficult, but realistic, challenge to the sampler. The factorial test involves sample collection from test
atmospheres composed of 16 different combinations of high and low levels of analyte concentrations, high
and low relative humidities, high and low face velocities, long and short sampling times, and parallel and
perpendicular sampler orientation to the air flow in a test chamber. Effects of each environmental factor on
sampler performance, and of possible factor interactions, are revealed by this test. This factorial test is based
on that described in the very comprehensive NIOSH Protocol for the Evaluation of Passive Monitors (Ref. 2).
Sampling rates are determined for each component of the solvent mixture for each run of the 16-run
factorial test. A relative standard deviation (RSD) is calculated from the 16 independently determined sampling rates
for each constituent of the mixture. The RSDs are pooled if they are homogenous. The pooled RSD is a
measure of sampling rate variation for several very different classes of chemicals under several very different
environmental conditions. The sampling rate variation is assumed to apply to other chemicals, and to apply
to other sampling conditions that approximate those tested. Sampling rate variation will have to be
redetermined if the design for a particular sampler is changed. (Ref. 1)
Analytical results from any sampling method contain both sampling and analytical error components.
Sampling and analytical error must be considered when analytical results are compared to an exposure limit
as in OSHA compliance monitoring. OSHA personnel employing active sampling methods use SAE
(sampling and analytical error) factors along with sample results to help determine if a particular exposure
limit has been exceeded. SAEs are unique for each chemical hazard. Each include a fixed sampling error
component (±5% sampling pump error), and a variable analytical error component that is periodically updated
from analysis of SLTC QC Division samples. Use of the sampling rate variation for a particular diffusive
sampler together with QC Division data for that sampler will permit similar treatment of analytical results from
tested diffusive samplers as from active samplers.
REAGENTS
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), Aldrich Chemical Company, 99+%, Lot 11619 CX.
2-Propanol (IPA), Fisher Scientific, Optima grade, Lot 962286.
Methylene chloride (MeCL), Fisher Scientific, Optima grade, Lot 946571.
Toluene (Tol), Fisher Scientific, Optima grade, Lot 924028.
Butyl Acetate (BA), Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co., 99.7% HPLC Grade, Lot 13091 CN.
A solvent mixture was prepared in the following ratio: 184-mL MEK, 306-mL IPA, 54-mL MeCL, 234-mL Tol,
and 222-mL BA. This mixture was used to generate test atmospheres, and to prepare test samples and
analytical standards.
Sample desorbing solution. The solution was composed of 60/40 (v/v) N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and
carbon disulfide with internal standard (0.25 µL/mL p-cymene). This solution was prepared from reagent
grade chemicals of various lot numbers. The desorbing solution was observed to darken and to develop an
unpleasant odor upon standing for long time periods. The quantity of solvent prepared at any one time was
limited to only that sufficient to last for two-three weeks.
SAMPLING MEDIA
SKC Passive Samplers, SKC 575-001, Lot 656, containing 350 mg of charcoal.
Anasorb® 747 adsorbent tubes, SKC 226-83, Lot 268, 200/400-mg sections, and SKC
226-81A, Lot 645, 70/140-mg sections. These sampling tubes were used as an independent means to
monitor concentrations of test atmospheres.
APPARATUS
Adsorbent tube media were desorbed for one hour on a Labquake C415-110 Shaker set in the tube rotator mode.
Passive samplers were desorbed for one hour using a SKC 1-225-01 Sorbent Extractor with rack.
Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography. A Hewlett-Packard Model 5890 Series II GC equipped with
a Chem-Station, an automatic sample injector, and an FID were used. Separations were performed on a
Restek Stabilwax® (60-m × 0.32-mm i.d. × 1.00-µm
df) column. The injection volume was 1 µL with either a
50 to 1 or a 5 to 1 split. The GC was temperature programmed from 40 to 220°C in three ramps: 40 to 90°C
at 5°/min, 90 to 170°C at 10°/min, and 170 to 220°C at 15°/min. The GC oven was maintained at 40°C for
1 min following injection, and held at 220°C for 5 min following completion of the temperature program. The
hydrogen carrier gas flow rate was 1.2 mL/min, the nitrogen auxiliary gas flow rate was 30.5 mL/min, the
septum purge flow rate was 2.1 mL/min, the detector hydrogen gas flow rate was 31.0 mL/min, and the
detector air gas flow rate was 375 mL/min. A Waters Millennium Chromatography Manager system was used
for data collection.
Samples were collected from dynamically-generated test atmospheres that were prepared using an apparatus
constructed from stainless steel. The apparatus consisted of two chambers that were connected in series, and designed to
permit simultaneous exposure of a large number of samplers to the same test atmosphere at two significantly
different face velocities.
Humid air (for use with controlled test atmospheres) was generated using a Miller-Nelson Model HCS 301
Flow-Temperature-Humidity Control System. This system was equipped with a 500 L/min mass flow
controller.
Relative humidity and temperature of the test atmospheres within the exposure apparatus were monitored
with an EG&G Model 911 Dew-All Digital Humidity Analyzer. Comparison readings were taken periodically
with a Solomat MPM 500e meter equipped with a Model 355RHX humidity/temperature probe. The probes
were calibrated by the manufacturer.
Dilution air flow rates (50-360 L/min) were measured with a Equimeter No. 750 gas meter. The meter
readings for several different flow rates were compared to those of a Singer DTM 115 gas meter (that had
been tested by the local natural gas distributor and found to be accurate) that was connected in series before
the Equimeter. Both meters gave very similar readings.
The solvent mixture was metered into the system with an Isco 100 DM syringe pump equipped with a
cooling/heating jacket and an insulation cover package. The pump was operated in the constant flow mode.
The temperature of water in the cooling/heating jacket was maintained at 23°C with a Forma Scientific Model
2006 CH/P Bath and Circulator.
Solvent vapors were generated by pumping the liquid through a short length of 0.0625-inch o.d.
polyether-etherketone (PEEK) tubing into a vapor generator where it evaporated into
the dilution air stream (Figure 1). The vapor generator consisted of a 10-cm
length of 0.25-inch o.d. glass tubing with a small hole in the side.
The hole was just large enough for the PEEK tubing to be inserted. The glass tubing was placed inside a
0.5-inch stainless steel Swagelok® tee wrapped with heating tape. The PEEK tubing entered the
third port of the tee through an adaptor and was inserted about 0.125 inch (approximately in the center) into the glass
tubing through the small hole. Solvent was pumped through the PEEK tubing into the glass tubing. The liquid
flow rate was such that liquid did not accumulate in the evaporation tube. The entire dilution air stream
passed through the tee and swept generated vapors into the remainder of the apparatus.
The following is a description of the arrangement of the apparatus that was placed in a
walk-in hood: Liquid from which vapors were to be dynamically generated was pumped with a
precision Isco syringe pump (an identical pump and a small solvent mixing tee was available
when its use was desired) into a heated manifold where it evaporated. The generated
vapors were swept from the manifold with dilution air. Stainless steel tubing (0.5-inch o.d.)
connected with stainless steel Swagelok® fittings was used to transfer the test
atmosphere. The dilution air was humidified (if desired) using a Miller-Nelson
Flow-Temperature-Humidity controller. The vapor/dilution air mixture then passed into a
3×24-inch stainless steel mixing chamber that could be removed from the system. The test
atmosphere next passed through 0.5-inch ball valves where it could be either diverted to
waste, or directed into the exposure chambers.
An additional ball valve allowed the chambers to be purged with room air. The transfer tubing diameter was
increased from 0.5 inch to 1 inch at this point using a Swagelok® adaptor attached to the chamber inlet. Tube
and fitting diameter was increased to 1 inch after this fitting to help reduce any increased pressure to ambient.
The 1-inch o.d. chamber inlets have small stainless steel deflectors to help insure that the test atmosphere
completely fills the sampling chambers. Stainless steel screens were placed inside the chambers for the
same purpose. This design should cause air flow through the chambers to be somewhat turbulent. A Gast
Model R1102 blower was used to move the test atmosphere through the apparatus. A gate valve was used
to help regulate pressure by adding make up air to the blower. Pressure within the chambers was monitored
with an Omega Technologies Company Model Px 212-060 AV Pressure Transducer connected to an Omega
Technologies Company Model DP 41-S Strain Gauge Meter. The pressure transducer was calibrated daily
with a Princo Nova Full Range Mercurial Barometer. Face velocities of the test atmospheres were calculated
by dividing the volumetric flow of each atmosphere by the cross-sectional area available for air flow in each
chamber. The cross-sectional area available for air flow was the cross-sectional area of each chamber
reduced by the cross-sectional areas of the samplers. Humidity and temperature were monitored only within
the large chamber because of access port limitations. This arrangement of the apparatus is shown in Figure 1.
EXPERIMENTAL
Desorption Efficiency
Desorption efficiency experiments were performed by spiking SKC 575-001 Passive Samplers, and front
sections of Anasorb® 747 adsorbent tubes with the solvent mixture. The following masses were those studied:
MEK- 12, 206, and 2056 µg; IPA- 19, 333, and 3333 µg; MeCL- 6, 99, and 992 µg; Tol- 16, 283, and 2823 µg;
and BA- 16, 273, and 2727 µg. Anasorb® 747 desorption samples were prepared by transferring the front
sections of sampling tubes into 4-mL glass vials, spiking each sample with the solvent mixture, and storing
the samples at ambient temperature overnight. The samples were desorbed with 2 mL of desorption solvent
for one hour on a tube rotator the next day. Diffusive samplers were prepared by sealing the samplers with
the O-rings and covers included with the sampler, cutting off the ends of the two protruding tubes of each
sampler, spiking each sampler with the solvent mixture through one of the tubes, and then sealing the tubes
with the manufacturer-supplied plugs. Samples were allowed to stand six hours before desorption. Six hours,
rather than overnight, was used because low desorption efficiencies were obtained for MEK when samples
allowed to stand overnight. The low recoveries were attributed to instability of MEK on the charcoal surface.
These samples were desorbed for one hour in-situ with 2 mL of desorbing solvent using a SKC 1-225-02
Sorbent Extractor with rack. The sampler was secured by clipping it to a rail of the SKC Sorbent Extractor
rack, and then the solvent was added through the port nearest the outside edge of the sampler with a 2-mL
volumetric pipet. The tip of the pipet just fit inside the sampler port. The desorption solvent was transferred
from the desorbed sampler to a GC auto-sampler vial using the manufacturer-supplied PTFE tube and the
port nearest the outside edge of the sampler.
Sampling Rate and Capacity
Table 1 Typical Concentrations of Test Atmospheres
|
|
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
concn (µg/L) OSHA PEL (µg/L) |
535 590 |
865 980 |
260 87 |
725 755 |
695 710 |
|
The sampling rate and capacity for each component of the solvent mixture was determined by
exposing diffusive samplers (in sets of four) to the mixture for increasing time periods. Typical
concentrations of test atmospheres and OSHA PELs for the components of the solvent mixture are
shown in Table 1. Mixture concentrations at this level are referred to as 1×, and one-tenth
of these concentrations as 0.1×, in this report. Unless otherwise
noted, the sampler orientation was parallel to the flow direction of the test atmosphere.
The average relative humidity, temperature, and face velocity of the test atmospheres was 76%, 24°C, and
0.24 m/s respectively. Six active samples were collected for each run. Five of the active samplers were large
Anasorb® 747 sampling tubes, and one was a small tube that was employed because of
sampling chamber access port limitations. The sampling rate for the active samplers was 30 mL/min.
Reverse diffusion experiments were performed by sampling the 1× concentration for one-half
the total sampling time, and then sampling clean humid air for the remainder of the sampling time. Ten diffusive
samplers were exposed to the solvent mixture for 128 min, five were removed and analyzed, and then the remaining
five were exposed to clean humid air for an additional 120 min. The relative humidity, temperature, and face
velocity of the test atmosphere was 84%, 21°C, and 0.10 m/s respectively. In another experiment, eight
samplers were exposed to the 1× mixture for 60 min, four samplers were removed, and then the remaining
four were exposed to clean humid air for an additional 60 min. The relative humidity, temperature, and face
velocity of the test atmosphere was 75%, 22°C, and 0.21 m/s respectively.
Several experiments were performed to determine the effects of face velocity of the test atmosphere past the
samplers. Face velocity in the test chamber was varied by changing the flow rate of the dilution air. The
concentration of the mixture was 1×, and the average relative humidity was 78% at 23°C.
Factor Tests
A 16-run factor test was performed using a modified version (Ref. 1) of the NIOSH
Factor Test (Ref. 2). NIOSH has identified six factors that can affect sampler
performance. These factors are analyte concentration, exposure time, face velocity, relative humidity,
interferant, and monitor orientation. Sixty-four experimental runs (26)
would be required to fully evaluate combinations of each factor at two levels. NIOSH recognized that this would
be an excessive number of tests, and has devised a 16-run fraction of the full factorial that is
capable of revealing any of these factors having a significant effect, free of two-factor
interactions, on sampler performance. Some two and three-factor interactions can also be screened by this
design. The test is based on the comparison of each factor effect to experimental error so that the
significance of that effect can be determined. Experimental conditions are shown in Table 2. Interferant was
provided by the components of the solvent mixture, for example: if MEK was being examined then IPA, MeCL,
Tol, and BA were the interferants, and the levels were declared either high or low.
Table 2 Experimental Design Of The Factor Test
|
run no. |
analyte concn |
RH (%, °C) |
inter level |
time (min) |
lin vel (m/s) |
sampler orien |
 |
run no. |
analyte concn |
RH (%, °C) |
inter level |
time (min) |
lin vel (m/s) |
sampler orien |
|
| 1 |
0.1× |
7, 21 |
low |
120 |
1.7 |
perp |
9 |
1× |
81, 21 |
high |
30 |
0.1 |
paral |
| 2 |
1× |
14, 22 |
low |
31 |
0.1 |
perp |
10 |
0.1× |
64, 24 |
high |
120 |
1.4 |
paral |
| 3 |
0.1× |
78, 23 |
low |
30 |
1.5 |
paral |
11 |
1× |
14, 22 |
high |
121 |
0.1 |
perp |
| 4 |
1× |
81, 21 |
low |
121 |
0.1 |
paral |
12 |
0.1× |
11, 23 |
high |
30 |
1.8 |
perp |
| 5 |
0.1× |
13, 21 |
high |
120 |
0.1 |
paral |
13 |
1× |
78, 22 |
low |
30 |
1.8 |
perp |
| 6 |
1× |
12, 22 |
high |
30 |
1.5 |
paral |
14 |
0.1× |
85, 21 |
low |
121 |
0.1 |
perp |
| 7 |
0.1× |
80, 21 |
high |
31 |
0.1 |
perp |
15 |
1× |
8, 22 |
low |
121 |
1.5 |
paral |
| 8 |
1× |
73, 22 |
high |
120 |
1.8 |
perp |
16 |
0.1× |
14, 21 |
low |
30 |
0.1 |
paral |
inter = interferant, perp = perpendicular, paral = parallel |
Precision
Relative standard deviations of percent recovery for active samples and of sampling rates for diffusive
samplers were calculated for runs 2, 4, 13, and 15 of the Factor Test, for the 6-hour sampling rate and
capacity test, and for the first set of reverse diffusion (0.21 m/s) samples for SKC diffusive and active
samplers. These runs were selected because similar runs were performed in previous work for 3M Organic
Vapor Monitors (OVMs), and it is useful to compare results for the samplers. The data were pooled for each
component of the solvent mixture for each sampler, after first testing that the data were homogenous by the
Cochran Test at the 95% confidence level. The following data were not homogenous and not included in the
pools. SKC diffusive: MeCL result for factor test 13. 3M: MeCL result for factor test 4. Active: Tol and BA
results for reverse diffusion test.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION
Desorption Efficiency
Table 3 Desorption Efficiency (Percent)
|
|
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
140 mg 747 400 mg 747 SKC Sampler |
100.4 103.7 92.9 |
100.9 106.5 102.6 |
102.5 105.8 100.9 |
98.1 96.3 95.0 |
100.5 104.3 102.1 |
|
The results of the desorption efficiency experiments are summarized in Table 3. All samples were desorbed
with a 60/40 mixture of DMF and carbon disulfide. This mixture is used to prevent two-phase
samples caused by the presence of water. Desorption of each component of the solvent mixture from
Anasorb® 747 was high and constant over the studied range. Desorption of MEK, however, from
the charcoal diffusive samplers was only about 82% when the samplers were allowed to stand overnight after
spiking. Desorption of MEK was about 101, 96, and 93% when samples were allowed to stand about 40,130,
and 360 min after spiking. The decreasing recoveries for MEK were attributed to the documented instability
and desorption problems of ketones on charcoal (Ref. 3). The desorption efficiency
results from the six-hour standing time for diffusive samplers were used for this study
because the delay between sampling and analysis of samples was less than six hours in most cases.
Desorption of the other components of the solvent mixture from diffusive samplers was high and
constant, even when the samples were allowed to stand overnight.
Sampling Rate and Capacity
Sampling rates were calculated by dividing mass collected (corrected for desorption efficiency) by sampling
time multiplied by the actual concentration of the test atmosphere (sampling rate = µg/(min × µg/L)).
Sampling rate, in L/min, was converted to mL/min, the same units often used for adsorbent tubes. Theoretical
concentrations were calculated from the test atmosphere generator apparatus operation parameters. The
actual concentrations of the test atmospheres were determined by the analysis of adsorbent tube samples.
The average of adsorbent tube results was about 95% of the theoretical amounts for this work. The same
sampling times were used for both active and diffusive sampling. All samples were analyzed as soon as
possible after collection.
Sampling rate and capacity results are presented in Table 4 and in Figure 2. The sampling rates were
determined at ambient temperature and pressure, and were converted to their equivalent at 25°C and 760 mmHg.
Table 4 Sampling Rate and Capacity (mL/min)
|
| time (min) |
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
| 7.5 |
17.58 |
17.96 |
18.01 |
14.06 |
12.31 |
| 15 |
18.37 |
18.50 |
18.46 |
14.75 |
12.83 |
| 30 |
18.58 |
19.42 |
18.72 |
14.48 |
13.60 |
| 60 |
18.97 |
19.83 |
18.56 |
14.80 |
14.02 |
| 120 |
18.64 |
19.34 |
17.24 |
14.62 |
13.79 |
| 180 |
18.00 |
19.11 |
16.54 |
14.78 |
13.95 |
| 240 |
17.78 |
19.45 |
16.36 |
15.24 |
14.41 |
| 300 |
17.98 |
17.91 |
14.86 |
15.04 |
13.25 |
| 362 |
17.59 |
17.64 |
14.16 |
14.90 |
13.16 |
| 420 |
14.12 |
16.08 |
12.37 |
14.02 |
12.52 |
|
Table 5 Average Sampling Rate (mL/min) and RSD (Percent)
|
|
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
30-120min RSD (%)
SKC samp rates |
18.7 1.1
17.1(Bl) |
19.5 1.3
17.8(C) |
18.2 4.5
14.7(F) |
14.6 1.1
14.5(Bl) |
13.8 1.5
12.7(C) |
|
The sampling rates for the mixture components, except methylene chloride, were fairly constant
from 30 to 240 min. The capacity of the sampler for a component is presumed to be exceeded
when the apparent sampling rate for that component decreases rapidly. The sampling rate for
methylene chloride (and to a lesser degree, IPA and MEK) appeared to decrease after 60 min.
The capacity of the sampler for methylene
chloride was clearly exceeded after four hours, and perhaps even two hours. The sampler loading after two
hours was approximately 6 mg of the mixture, including 0.6 mg of methylene chloride. The shortest
recommended sampling time was set at 30 min, and the maximum recommended sampling time at 120 min
for this work because of methylene chloride capacity limitations. Table 5 shows average sampling rates for
30 to 120 min. Eight-hour sampling rates (and validation levels) have been published by SKC in their 1998
catalog, and are included in Table 5. SKC determined these sampling rates in full (F), bi-level (Bl), and
calculated (C) levels of validation. SKC defines these levels as follows: full, passed NIOSH protocol
requirements; bi-level, a key member of a homologous series passed full, and the analyte passes NIOSH
protocol for sampling rate, desorption efficiency, humidity effects, reverse diffusion, and storage stability; and
calculated, use of the Hierschfelder Equation and internal dimensions of the sampler to calculate sampling
rate. The biggest difference between SLTC and SKC sampling rates is for methylene chloride.
Table 6 Reverse Diffusion (Percent Ratio)
|
|
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
60 min 120 min |
100.5 94.9 |
100.7 97.0 |
95.7 91.9 |
100.7 98.8 |
102.2 98.6 |
|
Experiments were performed to determine if the capacity of the sampler for methylene chloride had
actually been exceeded, or if reverse diffusion had occurred. The net effect of exceeded capacity and
of reverse diffusion is the same, analyte lost and not measured. This test is performed to detect the
loss of a collected, but inadequately retained analyte. The sampling times in Table 6 are one-half
the total test sampling time. For example: a reverse diffusion test for a two-hour sampling time
requires one-half the samples be exposed to the mixture for one
hour, and the other half be exposed to the mixture for 1 hour and then to clean, humid air for an additional
hour. Reverse diffusion was measured as the percent ratio of mass recovered from samples exposed to both
the solvent mixture and also to clean humid air relative to samples that had been exposed to only the solvent
mixture. Table 6 shows that there was a loss of methylene chloride for the 60-min test, and a more significant
loss in the 128-min test. MEK had a less severe loss in the 128-min test than methylene chloride. These
results show that reverse diffusion could be a fairly large uncorrectable bias for methylene chloride if
collected for long sampling times at the mixture concentrations used for this work. The SKC sampler has no
back-up section.
The effects of increasing face velocity on sampling rates is shown in Figure 3. The most dramatic effects
occur at low to medium velocities. The overall effect was similar to that observed for 3M
OVMs (Ref. 1).
Factor Test
The results of the factor test are presented in Table 7. The sampling rates were determined at ambient
temperature and pressure, but are expressed at 25°C and 760 mmHg. Average sampling rates and their
percent RSDs are shown in Table 8. These percent RSDs were found to be homogenous by the Cochran
Test. The pooled percent RSD, 8.7%, is the sampling rate variation for SKC 575-001 Passive Samplers as
determined by this work.
Table 7 Factor Test Results (mL/min)
|
| test |
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
 |
test |
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
| 1 |
19.26 |
20.52 |
20.20 |
16.26 |
14.07 |
9 |
17.80 |
17.84 |
17.91 |
14.38 |
12.80 |
| 2 |
17.68 |
18.09 |
18.30 |
14.52 |
12.64 |
10 |
20.61 |
20.56 |
19.42 |
16.54 |
14.38 |
| 3 |
20.52 |
20.41 |
20.39 |
16.39 |
14.54 |
11 |
16.69 |
17.07 |
17.15 |
13.87 |
12.07 |
| 4 |
16.66 |
16.51 |
15.78 |
13.26 |
11.45 |
12 |
21.18 |
21.61 |
20.72 |
17.57 |
15.18 |
| 5 |
16.18 |
17.06 |
17.31 |
13.83 |
11.93 |
13 |
20.21 |
20.42 |
20.02 |
16.42 |
14.37 |
| 6 |
19.50 |
20.88 |
20.79 |
16.77 |
14.51 |
14 |
17.51 |
17.61 |
16.96 |
13.90 |
12.14 |
| 7 |
17.20 |
17.49 |
17.62 |
13.97 |
12.17 |
15 |
18.55 |
19.28 |
18.79 |
15.65 |
13.67 |
| 8 |
19.41 |
19.88 |
18.54 |
16.06 |
13.96 |
16 |
17.53 |
17.50 |
18.16 |
14.10 |
12.10 |
|
Table 8 Percent RSDs of Average Sampling Rates
|
|
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
| ave (mL/min) |
18.53 |
18.92 |
18.63 |
15.22 |
13.25 |
| RSD (%) |
8.57 |
8.86 |
8.07 |
8.95 |
9.04 |
| pooled RSD (%) |
|
|
8.71 |
|
Table 9 Analysis of Factor Data
|
|
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
error MSE |
0.29 0.66 |
0.21 0.48 |
0.20 0.45 |
0.16 0.36 |
0.16 0.35 |
|
The results in Table 7 were further analyzed to detect factor effects as described in Refs. 1 and 2.
This analysis gave an experimental error for each component of the mixture. Minimum significant
effect (MSE) was calculated for each component by multiplying the error by 2.26 (the t statistic at the
95% confidence level for nine degrees of freedom).
Table 10 Analysis of Factor Data
|
|
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
concn RH inter time vel orien interaction |
0.66 0.63 0.12 1.27 4.15 0.34 none |
0.72 0.33 0.53 1.49 6.33 0.69 none |
0.97 1.32 0.24 2.70 5.44 0.26 E5:1.03 |
0.56 0.57 0.86 1.64 6.87 0.57 none |
0.37 0.13 0.71 1.64 6.14 0.43 none |
|
The average experimental error was slightly more than 1%, which is sufficiently low to reveal factor effects
of about 3%. These results are shown in Table 9. The analysis also gave an effect result for each component
of the solvent mixture for concentration, relative humidity, interferant, sampling time, face velocity, sampler
orientation, and for some factor interactions, such as an interaction between concentration,
relative humidity, and sampling time. The absolute value of the ratio of effect/MSE was
calculated and is presented in Table 10. Any ratio above one is significant at the 95%
confidence level, and that effect should be studied further in additional experiments. The
results for interferant may be somewhat equivocal because the remainder of the mixture
was considered the interference. That is: IPA, MeCL, Tol, and BA were declared the
interference in MEK tests; MEK, MeCL, Tol, and BA the interference for IPA...etc. Sampling time and face
velocity had significant effects on the sampling rate for each component of the solvent mixture. Face velocity
had the more pronounced effect. Relative humidity was also significant for methylene chloride. Concentration
was essentially a significant factor for methylene chloride. The E5 interaction for methylene chloride is
completely confounded among some interaction between concentration and sampling time or interferant and
sampler orientation.
Table 11 Comparison of Sampling Rate Variations
|
|
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
SKC 3M |
8.6 5.6 |
8.9 7.5 |
8.1 6.9 |
9.0 6.3 |
9.0 5.6 |
| Cochran |
g statistic = 0.1380 |
| F Test |
2.36 |
1.41 |
1.38 |
2.04 |
2.58 |
|
The ±8.7% pooled sampling rate variation for the SKC samplers is somewhat higher than the ±6.4%
variation determined in similar experiments for 3M 3520 OVMs (Ref. 1). The two sets of data were
subjected to the Cochran and F Tests. These tests are used to compare variances to determine if they
differ significantly. The critical values for the Cochran and F Tests are 0.2086 and 2.86 at the
95% confidence level, respectively. The results of the tests are shown in Table 11. These tests
detected no statistical difference in the variances. The F Test is used to compare two variances, while the
Cochran Test is used to compare more than two variances to determine if they differ significantly. The
Cochran Test is more appropriate for this work.
Precision
Table 12 Precision Data (Percent RSD)
|
|
MEK |
IPA |
MeCL |
Tol |
BA |
|
active SKC 3M |
2.0 2.7 1.8 |
2.1 2.3 1.8 |
2.0 2.0 1.7 |
1.7 2.3 1.8 |
2.0 2.4 1.8 |
|
Relative standard deviations were calculated for each component of the solvent mixture for tests that
were common to active, SKC diffusive, and 3M diffusive samplers. The results are presented in
Table 12. The data shows that the precision was similar for all the samplers. Active and SKC
diffusive samples were collected at the same time. 3M OVMs were collected in previous, but similar work.
CONCLUSIONS
The sampling rate variation for SKC 575-001 Passive Samplers is ±8.7% as determined by this
work. No statistical difference between this result and the ±6.4% variation previously determined for 3M 3520
Organic Vapor Monitors was detected by the F and Cochran Tests. Sampling rate variation is assumed to be a
function of the design of the sampler, and not dependent on the sorbent within the sampler. Therefore, ±8.7%
variation is appropriate for use with SKC 575-001 (charcoal), 575-002
(Anasorb®747), and 575-003 (Anasorb®
727) passive samplers. The sampling rate variation is further assumed to apply to chemicals other than those
tested, and also to other environmental conditions that approximate those tested.
It is not possible to assess reverse diffusion in SKC Passive Samplers used in field applications because they
have no reference (back-up) section. Some chemicals, like methylene chloride, have been shown to have
a potential for reverse diffusion that could be exacerbated by the presence of other chemicals. This would
necessitate that methods for chemicals shown to have a likelihood for reverse diffusion have conservative
sampling times.
The appropriate sampling rate variation will be used by OSHA as the sampling error component in SAE
calculations for 3M OVM and SKC diffusive samplers. The analytical error component will be periodically
updated from the analysis of QC Division samples. Each analyte will have a unique SAE. The treatment of
SLTC analytical results for diffusive samples will parallel that for active samples for comparison of field
sample results with OSHA exposure standards.
REFERENCES
Hendricks, W. Development of a Protocol for Laboratory Testing of Diffusive Samplers, OSHA Salt
Lake Technical Center, unpublished, Salt Lake City, UT 84115-1802, December 1996.
Cassinelli, M.E., Hull, R.D., Crable, J.V., and Teass, A.W., "Protocol for the Evaluation of Passive
Monitors", Diffusive Sampling: An Alternative Approach to Workplace Air Monitoring, Berlin, A.,
Brown, R.H., Saunders, K. J., Eds., Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, London, pp. 190-202, 1987.
Harper, M., Kimberland, M.L., Orr, R.J., Guild, L.V., Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg., 1993, 8, 293-304.
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