Active Gas and Vapour Sampling
Work processes found across many industrial sectors and workplaces have the potential to expose workers to harmful gases and vapours. The aim of gas and vapour sampling is to collect a representative for analysis to assess the worker’s exposure to a hazardous substance in a defined work area. Ensuring accuracy in the sampling of active gases and vapours is crucial for ensuring the long-term health and safety of workers. Air sampling techniques are used to monitor air composition as a function of time. There is a range of different approaches to performing air sampling. The air sampling method depends on the pollution of interest, the sample type and sample duration. Active air sampling is one of these methods performed to measure air contaminants.
What is Active Gas and Vapour Sampling?
Active air sampling requires the use of a pumping device to draw the air/contaminant mixture into or through the sampling device such as sorbent tube, filter, impinger or sample bag. Like personal air sampling, the most widely accepted and preferred method of sampling for active gases and vapours still requires a filter medium to be connected to a battery-operated pump to draw air through the filter for at least 8 hours.
When sampling for gases and vapours, a lower flow is required and as such the sampling train usually consists of a dedicated low flow sampling pump and a sorbent tube in a tube holder. A medium flow pump can also be used with a low flow adaptor to achieve a lower flow rate.
There are three key components for all active sampling :
- Sampling Pump – Used to pull or push the air/contaminant through the sampling device.
- Sample Collection Media – A medium that is used to collect/contain the contaminants so that this may be sent off for analysis
- Calibrator – Something to indicate how much air has been pulled or pushed through the collection media
Once the pollutant has been trapped by a sorbent tube or sample bag, the air sample collection is then sent off for analysis.
Air Sampling Devices Trusted by Health and Safety Professionals
Trusted by health and safety professionals for quality and reliability since 1973, Air-Met offers an extensive range of SKC sorbent tubes which are produced under strict conditions to ensure that the tubes are free of contamination.Our active gas and vapour range also includes SKC Sorbent Tubes, Tedlar Sample Bags, Bulk Sorbents, Coated Filters, Tube Holders and Low Flow Adaptors.
Contact your local Air-Met office today to request a copy of the latest SKC Catalogue for our complete range.
