Validation of a radial diffusive sampler for measuring occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene

•1,3-Butadiene was classified as a human carcinogen.•Low levels of 1,3-butadiene in workplace air can be measured by Radiello® sampler.•The 1,3-butadiene ACGIH BEI (DHBMA) was found not correlated to personal exposure.•Urinary and environmental 1,3-butadiene were found to be correlated. 1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a major industrial chemical used in the manufacture of rubbers and latexes; it is also a ubiquitous environmental pollutant whose major source is traffic. Occupational exposure to (BD) can occur both during its production and during its use as a raw material. The objective of the study was the laboratory and field validation of a new diffusive sampler for BD. The nominal sampling rate of the Radiello® diffusive sampler filled with Carbopack X is 30.5cm3/min, at 0.177mg/m3, 20°C and 50% relative humidity (RH), for an 8-h exposure time. A model can be used for calculating the sampling rate as a function of temperature, time and RH. The concentration does not affect the sampling rate above 30μg/m3. The measurement uncertainty (k=2), calculated both by laboratory data and by field comparison according to International Standard Organization (ISO) 13752, satisfies the EN 482:2006 requirement for measurements between 0.1 and 0.5 times the threshold limit value—time weighted average (TLV–TWA) (uncertainty