Characterization of Photothermal Desorption-Compatible Diffusive Samplers for Volatile Organic Compounds.

Products and starting materials containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can easily be found in a variety of businesses, making them a common source of occupational exposure. To prevent negative impacts on employee health, field industrial hygienists must conduct regular sampling to ensure exposures remain below the regulatory limits set by governmental and professional associations. As such, the need for sensitive and reliable exposure assessment techniques becomes evident.

Photothermal Desorption of Toluene from Carbonaceous Substrates Using Light Flash.

Millions of workers are occupationally exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) annually. Current exposure assessment techniques primarily utilize sorbent based preconcentrators to collect VOCs, with analysis performed using chemical or thermal desorption. Chemical desorption typically analyzes 1 µL out of a 1 mL (0.

Evaluating the Effects of Modified Windscreens on Organic Vapor Monitor Performance.

Passive sampling using diffusive samplers has become popular as a convenient means of occupational compliance sampling for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, diffusive samplers possess sensitivity limitations when sampling low concentrations and for short durations. To reduce these limitations, our research team has been developing a novel method of sample recovery called photothermal desorption (PTD), which uses high energy visible light pulses to desorb analytes from sampling media.

On the Role of Atmospheric Weathering on Paint Dust Aerosol Generated by Mechanical Abrasion of TiO Containing Paints.

In recent years, the introduction and use of new nanomaterials in construction has increased at a rapid rate. Exterior surface paints have been a product that have had these nanomaterials added to them. In this study, the effects of natural weathering and exposure to atmospheric agents was examined to determine the detrimental effects on outdoor paint that has been created with nanomaterials.

Aerosol Transmission of Infectious Disease and the Efficacy of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): A Systematic Review.

Objective: Health care professionals and governmental agencies are in consensus regarding contact and droplet transmission of infectious diseases. However, personal protective equipment (PPE) efficacy is not considered for aerosol or airborne transmission of infectious diseases. This review discusses the inhalation of virus-laden aerosols as a viable mechanism of transmission of various respiratory infectious diseases and PPE efficacy.

Determining the Thermal Properties of Buckypapers Used in Photothermal Desorption.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose an occupational exposure risk due to their commonplace usage across industrial and vocational sectors. With millions of workers annually exposed, monitoring personal VOC exposures becomes an important task. As such, there is a need to improve current monitoring techniques by increasing sensitivity and reducing analysis costs.