THE PERFORMANCE OF PASSIVE DIFFUSION MONITORS FOR ORGANIC VAPOURS FOR PERSONAL SAMPLING OF PAINTERS *

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Abstract
Comparative measurements of organic vapours with active (pumped charcoal adsorption tubes) and passive (diffusion) monitors showed good agreement in steady-state laboratory chamber tests but considerable discrepancies in field trials on painters, in which the monitors were worn on opposite lapels under fluctuating conditions of vapour concentration and air movement. Further laboratory experiments under fluctuating conditions and using mixed solvent vapour (white spirit) indicated that the performance of the passive monitors was not adversely affected by these factors. Continuous recordings by i.r. gas analyser of air samples drawn from the left and right lapels of a painter working under simulated field conditions showed large differences in concentration corresponding to the differences found between monitors. These findings indicate that a passive diffusion monitor for organic vapours might be a good alternative to a pumped charcoal tube. Comparative trials of sampling devices by personal sampling of workers close to a source of air pollution, such as painters, can lead to wrong conclusions. A careful choice of the position of samplers in field tests is necessary to prevent misinterpretation.

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