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OPTIMIZING THE PAKS METHOD FOR MEASURING AIRBORNE ACROLEIN
Citation:
Herrington, J., L. Zhang, D A. Whitaker, L S. Sheldon, AND J. Zhang. OPTIMIZING THE PAKS METHOD FOR MEASURING AIRBORNE ACROLEIN. Presented at International Society of Exposure Analysis, Stresa, Italy, September 21-25, 2003.
Impact/Purpose:
The overall goal of human exposure research in air toxics is to develop the methods, data, and models of exposure that will provide the scientific basis for EPA to move to a risk-based program and that will enhance NATA. Specific objectives for this measurement task are to:
o Characterize exposure concentrations and variability in critical microenvironments using targeted measurement studies;
o Quantify the relationship of personal exposure to ambient and indoor concentrations;
o Identify critical microenvironments, human activities, and factors influencing exposure to air toxics;
o Develop methods to quantify exposure from background, point or area sources, and microenvironmental sources;
o Evaluate aggregate and cumulative exposures.
Description:
Airborne acrolein is produced from the combustion of fuel and tobacco and is of concern due to its potential for respiratory tract irritation and other adverse health effects. Active sampling with DNPH-coated solid sorbents has been widely used for sampling airborne carbonyls; however, it is not suitable for sampling acrolein. The Passive Aldehydes and Ketones Sampler (PAKS) is a diffusive, tube-type sampler, which utilizes a dansylhydrazine (DNSH)-coated silica-based bonded C18 sorbent to collect airborne carbonyls. The original PAKS method has been shown to have a collection efficiency of >60% and improved sample stability for acrolein, compared to the DNPH method. However, it is desirable to further increase the PAKS acrolein collection efficiency and improve sample stability.
This work has been funded in part by the US EPA under PO#2D-5806-NAEX. It has been subjected to Agency review and approved for publication.