A New Device for Automatic Exposition of Passive Samplers in Air Pollution Monitoring

Ivo Allegrini

ENVINT srl, Montopoli di Sabina (RI), Italy

Abstract: This paper describes a new sampler intended for automatic exposition of passive samplers in indoor and outdoor air pollution monitoring. The sampler overcome most of the limitations in the use of passive samplers since it allows time and event programming, thus extending the flexibility in practical applications. The implemented software allows a full control of environmental parameters which can be input by analog or digital data. Preliminary tests have been carried out by indoor monitoring of Hydrogen Sulphide and monitoring of ambient Ozone. Data show that Hydrogen Sulphide accumulates in indoor atmosphere while Ozone can be monitored in specific time intervals in which it is expected to show the highest concentration, thus the highest exposition risk to population. Additional applications are discussed with the aim to reconsider the use of passive samplers in the solution of several environmental problems related to human exposure to atmospheric pollutants.

Key words: air pollution, passive sampler, ozone, hydrogen sulphide, indoor pollution