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The use of a passive sampler for the simultaneous determination of long-term ventilation rates and VOC concentrations

Journal Article · · Environment International; (USA)
; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Institute for Water, Soil and Air Hygiene, Berlin (Germany, F.R.)
  2. Free Univ., Berlin (Germany, F.R.)
When interpreting seasonal variations of indoor concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC), the ventilation rate must be known. Therefore, a method has been developed which permits the simultaneous determination of the average ventilation rate and the concentration of VOC in a room over an integration period of two week with the same passive sampler. Hexafluorobenzene (HFB), a non-toxic substance, was chosen as the tracer so as not to interfere in the gas chromatographic analysis of VOC in indoor air. Emission rates of HFB sources were determined at various temperatures from 15 to 30{degree}C. After a test of the procedure for sampling periods of one and two weeks in an experimental chamber at ventilation rates between 0.5 and 2 h{sup {minus}1}, the procedure was successfully applied under field conditions. Good agreement was obtained when comparing the HFB method with a perfluorocarbon technique.
OSTI ID:
6943389
Journal Information:
Environment International; (USA), Journal Name: Environment International; (USA) Vol. 15:1-6; ISSN 0160-4120; ISSN ENVID
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English