A personal sampler for inhalable mixed-phase aerosols: modification to an existing sampler and validation test with three pesticides

A modified personal air sampler with an inhalable entry efficiency for collecting pesticide aerosols and vapours simultaneously was studied. An XAD 2 cartridge was constructed to fit into the sampler housing and the vapour trapping efficiency of the cartridge was determined for three pesticides using a dynamic U-tube test system. Tests were performed with different amounts of pesticides (1.7 up to 1450 μg) and duration of sampling (30 - 120 min) under various environmental conditions. Trapping efficiency varied from 87% up to 100% for dichlorvos and methomyl, but was slightly lower for chlorothalonil (72% up to 79%). No break-through was observed. The efficiency was not affected by humidity, temperature, pesticide loading and sampling duration. Penetration of solid aerosols through the cartridge at normal sampling flow rate (21.min −1) was below 5%. It is concluded that the present sampler enables adequate simultaneous sampling of pesticide aerosols and vapours.