Measurements of environmental 1,3-butadiene with pumped and diffusive samplers using the sorbent Carbopack X

Studies with the sorbent Carbopack X in pumped and diffusive samplers, of the Perkin–Elmer-type, have been carried out using a controlled atmosphere test facility (CATFAC) to generate 1,3-butadiene, together with benzene, at environmental levels. The 7-day and 14-day 1,3-butadiene diffusive uptake rates for this sorbent have been determined to be respectively (1.24±0.16) ng ppm−1 min−1 ((0.55±0.07) cm3 min−1)) and (1.02±0.12) ng ppm−1 min−1 ((0.45±0.05) cm3 min−1)) under a wide range of concentrations at 20 °C, 50% relative humidity and a wind speed of 1 m s−1. Preliminary studies indicate that this sorbent may also be useful in radial diffusive samplers for short-term monitoring over a few hours. A pumped sampling method has been developed to measure both 1,3-butadiene and benzene simultaneously over a period of 14-days using two Perkin–Elmer-type devices coupled to an in-house developed controlled flow air sampler. The 1,3-butadiene safe sampling volume for Carbopack X has been measured yielding a value of 82 litre g−1. Tests carried out with calibrated amounts of 1,3-butadiene (50 ng and 150 ng) on Carbopack X indicate that samplers should be stored in a refrigerator prior to thermal desorption in order to achieve a recovery of effectively 100%. Ambient ozone does not appear to react with 1,3-butadiene adsorbed in the samplers.