UMEx 100
Passive Sampler for Formaldehyde

 

• Sample medium and blank/correction in one unit



• Accurate and reliable for formaldehyde collection
• Accuracy exceeds OSHA standards
• Uses popular 2,4-DNPH chemistry
• Validated by OSHA and Swedish Institute


• Economical and easy to use
• No pump or training required
• Low-cost sampler
• Sample medium and blank/correction section in one unit


• Conforms to EU ISO 16000-4-2004



• 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



• 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
• Workplace sampling from 15 minutes to 12 hours
• Indoor air sampling with validated rates for 24-hour or 7-day samples *

* Sampling period between 24 hours and 7 days have not been evaluated.

Note: U.S. OSHA recommends active sampling with sorbent tubes when the source of formaldehyde is formalin unless data is available showing good correlation between tubes and samplers.

UMEX Downloads

UMEx 100 Research Report PDF

UMEx 100 Operating Instructions PDF

UMEx 100 Spec. Sheet PDF

UMEx 100 Español Folleto

EPA IP-6 Method Update: Determination Of Formaldehyde And Other Aldehydes In Indoor Air PDF

List of Laboratories for Analyzing 500-100 UMEx 100 Passive Samplers

For a listing of Parameters for Laboratory Analysis, see:
500-100 UMEx Sampler Parameters

 

UMEx 100 Passive Sampler for Formaldehyde

The exponentially better 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 UMEx 100 contains a tape impregnated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) for reliable collection of formaldehyde. Samplers are provided in individual aluminized pouches that can be reused 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.

UMEx 400 for Amines

UMEx 400 contains a tape impregnated with 1-Naphthylisothiocyanate (NITC) for the passive collection and analysis of ppm-level aliphatic amines such as methyl amine, dimethyl amine, isopropyl amine, ally-amine, and n-butyl amine. Analysis is by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV). See the UMEx 400 Passive Sampler for Amines page for more information.

 

Using the Passive Sampler for Formaldehyde

Sampling with the UMEx 100 Sampler is very easy and requires no pump or training. Simply remove the badge from the pouch, record sampling information, and slide the cover to the "on" position. Clip the sampler on a worker for personal sampling up to eight hours or in an appropriate location for area sampling up to 24 hours or for 7 days (sample periods between 24 hours and 7 days have not been evaluated). When sampling is complete, simply slide the cover to the "off" position, place the sampler back in the pouch immediately, and seal. Send the sampler to an accredited laboratory for analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography.

 

 

Performance Profile
Sampling Rate for Formaldehyde:	28.6 ml/min with a RSD of 18% (for 15 minutes to 8 hours or 24 hours) * 20.4 ml/min (7 days) * See the Passive Sampling Guide for UMEX 100 sampling rates for other aldehydes
Detection Principle:	Formation of stable DNPH (2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazine) in the presence of formaldehyde
Concentration Range:	5 ppb to 5 ppm
Lower Detection Limits:	15 minutes: 200 ppb (0.24 mg/m3) 8 hours: 5 ppb (0.006 mg/m3) 24 hours*: 2 ppb (0.002 mg/m3) 7 days* : 0.2 ppb (0.0002 mg/m3)
Shelf-life:	12 months from date of manufacture at < 39.2F (4C)
Capacity:	29 µg/sample
Analysis:	Desorption of hydrazine and analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection
Accuracy:	± 25%, exceeds OSHA requirements
Storage:	Before use: < 39.2 F (4C) After use: < 39.2 F (4C) and analyze within three weeks Do not store with food.
Temperature Effects:	No effect on sampling rate between 10 and 30 C
Humidity Effects:	No effect from 10 to 80% relative humidity (RH) Do not use sampler below 10% RH.
Wind Effects:	No effect from 0.05 to 1.0 m/s; good correlation at 0.02 m/s
Interferences‡:	Highly specific for formaldehyde. Large amounts of carbonyl compounds may reduce the uptake of formaldehyde. Use in ozone levels < 0.5 ppm.
Dimensions:	3.4 x 1.1 x .35 in (8.6 x 2.8 x .89 cm)
Weight:	0.38 oz (10.8 gm)

* Sampling period between 24 hours and 7 days have not been evaluated.

Note: U.S. OSHA recommends active sampling with sorbent tubes when the source of formaldehyde is formalin unless data is available showing good correlation between tubes and samplers.

UMEX Downloads

UMEx 100 Research Report PDF

UMEx 100 Operating Instructions PDF

UMEx 100 Spec. Sheet PDF

UMEx 100 Español Folleto

EPA IP-6 Method Update: Determination Of Formaldehyde And Other Aldehydes In Indoor Air PDF

List of Laboratories for Analyzing 500-Series UMEx Passive Samplers

For a listing of Parameters for Laboratory Analysis, see:
500-100 UMEx Sampler Parameters

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Ordering Information      

Description	Qty.	Cat. No.
UMEx 100 † PassiveSampler for Formaldehyde ‡ and other Aldehydes individually packaged in aluminized pouch. † Limited shelf-life; storage required at < 39.2F (4C). Do not store with food.	10	500-100
Replacement Treated Tape for UMEx 100 Passive Samplers	50	P20084

 

References

Levin, J.O. and Lindahl, R., "Diffusive Air Sampling of Reactive Compounds - A Review," Analyst, Vol. 119, January 1994, pp. 79-83.

Levin, J.O., Lindahl, R., and Andersson, K., "Monitoring of Parts-per-billion Levels of Formaldehyde using a Diffusive Sampler," APCA Journal, Vol. 39, No. 1, January 1989, pp. 44-47.

Levin, J.O., Lindahl, R., Andersson, K., and Hallgren, C., "High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Determination of Diethylamine in Air Using Diffusive Sampling Thiourea Formation," Chemosphere, Vol.18, Nos. 11-12, pp. 2121-2129.

Levin, J., Lindahl, R., and Andersson, K., "High-performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Formaldehyde in Air in the ppb and ppm Range Using Diffusive Sampling and Hydrazone Formation," National Institute of Occupational Health, Research Department in Umea, Analytical Chemistry Division, P.B. 6104, S-90006 Umea, Sweden Environmental Technical Letter 9, 1988, pp. 1423-1430.

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 & Technology, Vol 20, No. 12, 1986, pp. 1273-1276.

Levin, J.O., Lindahl, R., Heeremans, C., and van Oosten, K., "Certification of Reference Materials Related to the Monitoring of Aldehydes in Air by Derivatization with 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine," Analyst, Vol. 121, September 1996, pp. 1273-278.

Lindahl, R., Levin, J.O., "Laboratory Validation of a Diffusive Sampler for the Determination of Glutaraldehyde in Air," Journal of Chromatography A, 710, 1995, pp. 175-180.

Lindahl, R., Levin, J.O., and Jarvholm, B., "Self-assessment as a Method for Determination of Exposure to Formaldehyde," Indoor Air, Vol. 4, 1999, pp. 453-458.

Lindahl, R., Levin, J.O., and Martensson, M., "Validation of a Diffusive Sampler for the Determination of Acetaldehyde in Air," Analyst, Vol. 121, September 1996, pp. 1177-1181.

Pengelly, I., Groves, J. A., Levin, J.O., Lindahl, R., "An Investigation into the Differences in Composition of Formaldehyde Atmospheres Generated from Different Source Material and the Consequences for Diffusive Sampling," Applied Occupational Hygiene Vol. 40, No. 5, 1996, pp. 555-567.

OSHA Method 1007 Formaldehyde (Diffusive Samplers), May 2005.

Note: UMEx was developed in collaboration with:
Jan O. Levin
Arbetslivsinstitutet
National Institute for Working Life
Umea, Sweden

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This page was last modified May 18, 2009