UMEx 100 Passive Sampler for Formaldehyde

  • Accurate and reliable for formaldehyde collection
  • Accuracy exceeds OSHA standards
  • Uses popular 2,4-DNPH chemistry
  • Validated by OSHA and Swedish Institute
  • Economical low cost sampler
  • Easy to use – no pump or training required
  • Sample medium and blank/correction in one unit
  • Conforms to EU ISO 16000-4-2004
  • Documented uptake rates
  •          For 15 minute to 24 hour samples
  •          For 7 day samples
  • Meets specifications of OSHA Method 1007†  
  • Referenced in EPA IP-6C
  • Highly sensitive and specific analysis method
  • Small and unobtrusive
  • Simple-to-use “on/off” sliding cover
  • Low 2 ppb limit of detection
  • Safe – No glass or chemical liquids in the sampler
  • 28.6 ml/min uptake rate enhances sensitivity for 15 minute, 8 hour, and 24 hour sampling
  • Versatile sampler – suitable for both workplace sampling and long term indoor air sampling

Note: If sampling in an atmosphere where Formalin is the source of Formaldehyde, please see the Technical Note under Documentation.

SKU: 500-100 Category:

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Description

The UMEx 100 Passive Sampler for formaldehyde was developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Working Life in Umea, Sweden.

Constructed of tough polypropylene, the single-use UMEx 100 contains a tape treated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) for reliable collection of formaldehyde. Samplers are provided in individual aluminiumised pouches that can be used to transport the sampler to a laboratory after sampling.

For convenience and quality control assurance against contamination, each sampler incorporates a “blank/correction” section in addition to the active sampling section so there is no need to send extra samplers to the laboratory.

The shelf-life date is printed on a label on the outside of each pouch for easy inventory management. The UMEx 100 Sampler includes a clip for attachment to a worker’s collar for personal sampling or in an appropriate location for area sampling.

SPECIFICATIONS

Sampling Rate 28.6 ml/min with a RSD (Relative Standard Deviation) of 7.6% at wind velocity of 5 to 100 cm/sec for 15 minutes to 24 hours
20.4 ml/min at wind velocities < 5 cm/sec for 1 to 7 days
Detection Principle Formation of stable DNPH-hydrazone in the presence of formaldehyde
Validation Range 0.06 to 3.0 ppm
Lower Detection Limits 15 min: 200 ppb (0.24 mg/m3)
8 hrs: 5 ppb (0.006 mg/m3)
24 hrs: 2 ppb (0.002 mg/m3)
7 days: 0.2 ppb (0.0002 mg/m3)
Shelf-life 12 months from date of manufacture at < 4°C (39.2°F)
Capacity 29 µg/sample
Analysis Solvent extraction and analysis by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) with UV detection
Accuracy ± 25%, exceeds OSHA requirements
Storage Before use: < 4°C (39.2°F)
After use: < 4°C (39.2°F) and analyze within 3 weeks.
Do not store with food.
Temperature Effects No effect on sampling rate between 10 and 30°C
Wind Effects No effect from 5 to 100 cm/s
Interferences Large amounts of carbonyl compounds may reduce the uptake of formaldehyde
Use in ozone levels <0.5 ppm
Dimensions 8.6 x 2.8 x 0.89 cm (3.4 x 1.1 x 0.35 inches)
Weight 10.8 g (0.38 oz)

SAMPLING RATES

Compound Sampling Rate (ml/min)
Acetaldehyde 22.8‡
Benzaldehyde 13.5‡
Butyraldehyde 15.8‡
Crotonaldehyde 9.71‡
Glutaraldehyde 14‡
Hexanaldehyde 9.66‡
Isovaleraldehyde 15.5‡
Propionaldehyde 14‡
Chloroacetaldehyde 19.4**
Decylaldehyde 10.4**
Heptanaldehyde 12.8**
Nonanaldehyde 11.6**
o-Phthaldehyde 12.83**
o-Tolualdehyde 12.7**
Valeraldehyde 15.4**
‡  Partial Validation
** Calculated Sampling Rate

UMEx 100 SAMPLERS

Description Pack Size Part Number
UMEx 100 Passive Sampler for Formaldehyde† # and other Aldehydes. 10 500-100
Designed for single use only. DO NOT reuse UMEx samplers. 25 500-100A
Treated Tape, for QC (quality control) purposes only 50 P20084
† If sampling in an atmosphere where Formalin is the source of Formaldehyde, please contact SKC.
# Limited shelf-life; storage required at <4°C. Do not store with food.

ACCESSORIES

Description Pack Size Part Number
Stand for Indoor Sampling Each 690-302
Shelter for Outdoor Sampling Each 690-303

DOCUMENTS

UMEx 100 Instructions

TECHNICAL NOTES

U.S. OSHA does not approve the use of any passive sampler for compliance sampling of formaldehyde from formalin unless data is available showing good correlation between the passive sampler and active sorbent tube sampling. In OSHA Method 1007, OSHA explains that formaldehyde will react with methanol in the formalin solution to form methoxymethanol and dimethoxymethane. Diffusive sampling rates for these two compounds differ from formaldehyde, which may produce low results with passive samplers. However, several field studies have been conducted that have indicated good correlation between passive (diffusive) samplers and reference methods utilizing pumps. This could be attributed to the many different types of formalin solutions used in the work environment; in addition, formalin solutions are diluted prior to use in some applications. Also note that the sampling rate effect was observed primarily at 86 F (30 C), which is not a common workplace temperature. In mortuaries, for example, where formalin is commonly used, the temperatures would be much lower than 86 F (30 C) and thus the effect would be minimized.

Field Investigation in Hospital Dissection Room1  Correlation between Passive and Active Personal Samples

 

Field investigation took place in a hospital room during dissection of human organs embalmed with formalin. The formaldehyde level was 0.1 to 0.5 mg/m3 and the sampling. Time was 15 to 150 minutes.

 

 

References:
1 Levin, J. O., Lindahl, R., and Andersson, K., “A Passive Sampler for Formaldehyde in Air Using 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine-coated Glass Fiber Filters,” Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 20, No. 12, 1986, pp. 1273-1276
2 Boeniger, M. and Stewart, P., “Biological Markers for Formaldehyde Exposure in Mortician Students,” Report 1, Documentation of Measurement Methodology for Characterizing Extent of Exposure, Report No. 125.27, NIOSH, May 6, 1992

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