Measurements of environmental 1,3-butadiene with pumped and diffusive samplers using the sorbent Carbopack X

15 November 2019

Martin, N.A., Duckworth, P., Henderson, M.H., Swann, N.R.W., Granshaw, S.T., Lipscombe, R.P., Goody, B.A.

Atmospheric Environment, 2005, 39(6), 1069-1077

Studies with the sorbent Carbopack X in pumped and diffusive samplers, of the Perkin–Elmer-type, have been carried out using a controlled atmosphere test facility (CATFAC) to generate 1,3-butadiene, together with benzene, at environmental levels. The 7-day and 14-day 1,3-butadiene diffusive uptake rates for this sorbent have been determined to be respectively (1.24±0.16) ng·ppm⁻¹·min⁻¹ ((0.55±0.07) cm³·min⁻¹)) and (1.02±0.12) ng·ppm⁻¹·min⁻¹ ((0.45±0.05) cm³·min⁻¹)) under a wide range of concentrations at 20 °C, 50% relative humidity and a wind speed of 1 m·s⁻¹. Preliminary studies indicate that this sorbent may also be useful in radial diffusive samplers for short-term monitoring over a few hours. A pumped sampling method has been developed to measure both 1,3-butadiene and benzene simultaneously over a period of 14-days using two Perkin–Elmer-type devices coupled to an in-house developed controlled flow air sampler. The 1,3-butadiene safe sampling volume for Carbopack X has been measured yielding a value of ⩽82 litre·g⁻¹. Tests carried out with calibrated amounts of 1,3-butadiene (50 ng and 150 ng) on Carbopack X indicate that samplers should be stored in a refrigerator prior to thermal desorption in order to achieve a recovery of effectively 100%. Ambient ozone does not appear to react with 1,3-butadiene adsorbed in the samplers.