TY - JOUR TI - Development and evaluation of airborne carbonyl measurement methods DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3BZ66GW PY - 2007 AB - The overall goal of the current dissertation work was to further develop and optimize the Passive Aldehydes and Ketones Sampler (PAKS) method, and compare the PAKS method to the United States (U.S.) Environmental Protections Agency's (EPA) Compendium Method TO-11A (active sampling with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)-coated solid sorbents). The PAKS method was optimized to have improved collection efficiencies (~100%) and sample stabilities (on cartridge and in extract) for acrolein and crotonaldehyde (as opposed to Method TO-11A's acrolein collection efficiency of ~20%). Subsequently, the PAKS sample processing procedures were optimized so as to provide the most efficient, accurate, precise, and cost effective techniques. In addition, the PAKS method blank contamination sources and concentrations were identified, and then minimized as best as possible. In the end, the final PAKS method demonstrated stable blank and sample concentrations for almost a half year; method and analytical precisions, expressed as coefficient of variation from replicate samples, of ~20% and <10%, respectively for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein; and analytical detection limits ranging from 0.28 to 4.81 µg/m³ and method detection limits ranging from 0.00 to 9.87 µg/m³ for a 24-hour sampling period. Extensive laboratory experiments indicated that U.S. EPA Compendium Method TO-11A had long-term (i.e., ≥24 hours) acetaldehyde sampling collection efficiencies that were substantially less than 100% at 30% and 60% relative humidity. The Active Acrolein Sampler (AAS) method was developed based on the principles of the PAKS methods. The AAS method was suitable for short-term (i.e., 30 minutes) and long-term (i.e., ≥24 hours) acrolein sampling at sampling rates from 50 to 250 mL/min. Relative humidity from 30 to 90%, temperature from 20 to 40° C, and the presence of ozone up to 250 ppb did not affect the performance of the AAS method for short-term acrolein sampling (i.e., 1 to 2 hours). The AAS method had an acrolein LOD of 0.24 µg/m³ for a 30 minute sampling duration @ 250 mL/min, which was comparable to other acrolein measurement methods; however, the AAS method is a significant advantage over other methods when one considers the AAS for its simplicity and ease of use. KW - Environmental Sciences KW - Carbon compounds KW - Air quality LA - English ER -