Potential Low-cost Sampling Method

 

Low-cost dosimeter tubes are intended to asses workplace exposure to contaminants over the course of one work day (approximately 8 hrs). These tubes change colors as they are exposed to a contaminant, providing a time-weighted average concentrations. Manufactures are able to target specific contaminant by changing the material inside the tube that is reacting to the gases. Tubes for CO, NO2, SO2, H2S, and benzene have been tested over longer periods (1-2 weeks) to detect low levels of these gases (Nash & Leith). There are also instances where carbon monoxide dosimeter tubes have been used long-term (over a period of two weeks) to assess indoor concentration in homes (Raw et al.). This is essentially what we plan to do, however PERC dosimeter tubes have never been tested in this application.

The photo you see provides an example of CO (carbon monoxide) tubes that have been exposed. The blue lines provide a scale (units: ppm*hrs), and the brown line indicates the accumulated concentration.

Nash, David G, and David Leith. 2010. "Use of Passive Diffusion Tubes to Monitor Air Pollutants." Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995) 60 (March 2015): 204–9. doi:10.3155/1047-3289.60.2.204.

Raw, Gary J, Sara K D Coward, Veronica M Brown, and Derrick R Crump. 2004. "Exposure to Air Pollutants in English Homes." Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology 14 Suppl 1: S85–94. doi:10.1038/sj.jea.7500363.