Sampling With ULTRA Passive (Diffusive) Samplers Sample Setup Guide Publication 1744 PDF

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Sampling with ULTRA Passive (Diffusive) Samplers
Sample Setup Guide
SKC Inc. 724-941-9701 SKC South 434-352-7149 SKC Gulf Coast 281-859-8050 SKC-West 714-992-2780
www.skcinc.com
Publication 1744 Rev 1503
Passive sampling is the collection of airborne gases and vapors at a rate controlled by a physical
process such as diffusion, without the use of an air sampling pump. Passive (diffusive) samplers
rely on the movement of contaminant molecules across a concentration gradient (i.e., molecules
diffuse from an area of high concentration in air to an area of low concentration onto the sampler).
This rate of diffusion can be calculated mathematically and determined experimentally for individual
chemicals. SKC provides diffusion or sampling rates for many organic vapors that can be sampled
with SKC ULTRA Passive Samplers. This Sample Setup Guide demonstrates the basic operation
of SKC ULTRA Passive Samplers and de nes the critical sampling information that should be sent
to a laboratory for analysis.
Introduction
SKC offers ULTRA Passive Samplers with a choice
of sorbents. Choose the sampler with the sorbent
best suited for the chemical(s) of interest. Refer to
the SKC Passive Sampling Guide on the SKC website,
www.skcinc.com, for more information. The sorbents and
analysis for ULTRA Passive Samplers are the same as those
speci ed in the active EPA Method TO-17. ULTRA samplers
provide for low parts per billion (ppb) to parts per trillion (ppt)
detection of organic vapors in ambient and indoor air.1 Consult
the SKC Passive Sampling Guide for sampling rates and
minimum and maximum sampling times.
ULTRA Passive Samplers are offered in two con gurations.
Select the con guration that best ts your application.
Pre lled ULTRA Passive Samplers
The ULTRA sampler housing is pre lled with purged sorbent. The
compartment access port on the back of the sampler provides for
easy and direct transfer of sorbent to a thermal desorption tube in a
laboratory.
User- lled ULTRA Passive Samplers
Sorbent for the ULTRA Sampler is provided separately in glass vials
with PTFE lids to maintain low sorbent background. The sampler's
compartment access port and transfer funnel accessory allow the
user to transfer purged sorbent from the vial directly into the housing
before sampling. After sampling, the user either ships the sample
sorbent in the sampler or transfers the sorbent back into the vial for
shipment. Samplers or vials are shipped to a laboratory for thermal
desorption and analysis.
1. Sample Collection
Remove the sampler from the
resealable pouch.
Record sample ID number,
sampling location, and date on
the pouch.
Prepare the passive sampler for sampling.
For Pre lled ULTRA: Slide sampler cover to open position
(diffusion holes visible). Write the sample start time on the
pouch label.
Sampler ID label
Clip
Diffusion holes (sample
sorbent compartment)
Sliding cover in
open position
Blank/
correction
sorbent
compartment
Notice: This publication is intended for general information only and should not be used as a substitute for reviewing applicable government regulations, equipment operating instructions, or legal standards. The
information contained in this document should not be construed as legal advice or opinion nor as a nal authority on legal or regulatory procedures.
SKC Inc. 724-941-9701 SKC South 434-352-7149 SKC Gulf Coast 281-859-8050 SKC-West 714-992-2780
www.skcinc.com
Publication 1744 Rev 1503
Sampling with ULTRA Passive (Diffusive) Samplers
For User-filled ULTRA:
Using the Transfer Funnel
accessory, transfer sorbent
from vial to sampler. Slide
sampler cover to open
position (diffusion holes
visible). Write the sample
start time on pouch label.
When sampling is completed, slide sampler cover to closed
position.
For Pre lled ULTRA: Write the sample stop time on the
pouch label. Ensure ID number on sampler matches ID
number on pouch and place sealed sampler in resealable
pouch.
For User- lled ULTRA: Write the sample stop time on the
pouch label.
a. Ensure ID number on sampler matches ID number on
pouch and place sealed sampler in resealable pouch.
Or
b. Transfer sorbent from the sampler body into a vial
and place vial in envelope.
2. Sampler Storage and Shipment to Analytical Laboratory
Before Sampling:
Pre lled: 30 days (except charcoal - 6 months) in a
clean, organic solvent-free environment
User-filled: 60 days (except charcoal - 1 year) in a
clean, organic solvent-free environment
After Sampling: 21 days at 39.2 F (4 C) in a clean, organic
solvent-free environment
Carefully package sealed pouch(es) containing sampler(s) or
sorbent vial(s) and blank(s). Use expedited shipping to ship
sample(s) and Chain of Custody Form(s) to a laboratory for
analysis.
3. Critical Information to Include in Sample Shipment
The laboratory will need to know the air volume for the
chemical of interest. Calculate as follows:
Chemical sampling rate
supplied by SKC (ml/min) X Sampling time (min) = Air volume (ml or L)
The laboratory will determine the total micrograms (μg) found
on the sampler for the chemical of interest. The air volume
will be used to report the chemical concentration in air as
ppb or ppt.
4. Analysis
Thermal desorption (TD) followed by analysis using gas
chromatography (GC) with a detector speci ed in the method
for the compound of interest. See Analysis Instructions at
www.skcinc.com/instructions/40125.pdf or www.skcinc.com/
instructions/40127.pdf (charcoal).
References
1 SKC Update to EPA Method TO-17 available at www.skcinc.com
Copyright 2007 - 2015
Clip
Sample compartment
Sliding cover in
closed position
Blank/
correction
compartment

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