Inorganic Mercury Passive Sampler

Validated by OSHA Method ID 140

High capacity
Extensively field tested

Validation based on OSHA Method ID 140
Specified in Health and Safety Executive (UK) Method MDHS 16/2
Meets NIOSH and OSHA standards

Lowest cost per measurement available

Reusable housing
capsule refills

Easy-to-use

Attach to a worker’s collar or pocket
No pump needed

Lightweight

Weighs 0.5 ounce

Long-term sampling up to 120 hours
High accuracy and sensitivity

Positive analysis of inorganic mercury
Limit of detection: 0.01 µg^{* †}
Limit of quantitation: 0.04 µg^{* †}
Sampling and experimental error: ± 8.6%
Removable sorbent capsule eliminates false high readings
Background: 0.02 µg/200 mg section

No moisture or chlorine interferences

Extensive field testing and chamber studies show accuracy without interference from either moisture or chlorine

Simple analysis

Uses standard laboratory equipment and analytical methods

* Limits may vary with analysis and instrumentation.
† For sampling low levels of mercury, use a sorbent tube.

Inorganic Mercury Passive Sampler Product Data Bulletin (PDF)

Download Mercury Passive Sampler Instructions (PDF)

List of Laboratories for Analyzing 520 Inorganic Mercury Passive Samplers

SKC Inorganic Mercury Passive Sampler

Several methods for determining personal exposure levels of inorganic mercury vapor are available. Sampling methods that employ passive samplers are desirable because they are simple to perform and eliminate the need for sampling pumps. Unfortunately, most passive samplers must be returned to the manufacturer for analysis by proprietary procedures.

SKC, however, offers an inorganic mercury sampler that is designed for analysis using standard laboratory equipment; therefore, the cost per measurement is kept to an absolute minimum compared to other samplers. The 520 Series Inorganic Mercury Sampler measures worker exposure levels as a Time-Weighted Average (TWA) and permits the positive analysis of inorganic mercury vapor.

The OSHA Laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah, conducted an evaluation of the SKC inorganic mercury sampler over a broad range of mercury concentrations and sampling times. The evaluation consisted of the following major experiments: validation of the sampling rate, desorption efficiency, precision and accuracy, storage stability, reverse diffusion, face velocity dependence, and comparison of methods. The method of reference for this evaluation is OSHA ID 140.

Mercury vapor enters the sampler by positive, controlled diffusion so that a known sample volume is taken for a given period of time. Mercury is completely adsorbed onto the solid sorbent. The sorbent capsule is then taken to an accredited laboratory where the sorbent is dissolved in acid and analyzed by flameless atomic absorption. The sampler holder is cleaned and reused, thereby reducing sampling costs.

Operation

Remove a sorbent capsule from the plastic vial and insert it into the sampler housing. Attach the sampler near the worker's breathing zone.

When sampling is completed, remove the sorbent capsule from the holder and insert it into the provided ziploc bag for shipment to an accredited laboratory.

Clean the housing and insert a new sorbent capsule and foam disk. The sampler can then be reused.

Interferences

Extensive field testing and chamber studies have shown that excellent accuracy and precision can be achieved with these samplers without interference from moisture or other gases, including chlorine.

Ambient Temperature

The sampling rate will vary with ambient temperature changes that affect the diffusion rate. This effect is small, but may be significant if sampling at unusually high or low temperatures. The diffusion coefficient (D) is proportional to the temperature (T) to the 1.5 power (D a T^1.5). This factor is taken into account in the calculation used in the OSHA method.

Wind Velocity

The sampling rate will remain substantially constant over a range of wind velocity from 25 to 750 ft/min. In very still air conditions (below 25 ft/min), the sampling rate will drop by up to 30%. If very high wind velocities (in excess of 750 ft/ min) are expected, additional shielding may be necessary to prevent erratic increases in sampling rate.

Ambient Pressure Changes

The sampling rate varies with ambient pressure changes that affect the diffusion rate. The diffusion coefficient is inversely proportional to the ambient pressure. This factor is taken into account in the calculation used in the OSHA method.

Presence of Other Gases

Mercury sampling on this sorbent has been shown to be unaffected by the presence of other gases, including chlorine. Note, however, that complex interactions in the atmosphere may reduce the total free elemental mercury present to be sampled.

Ordering Information

Ordering Information		Cat. No.
Reusable Capsule Holder		520-03
Sorbent Capsules contain Anasorb ^®C300 ^*, pk 10		520-02A
Sorbent Capsules contain Anasorb ^®C300 ^*, pk 30		520-02C

* SKC proprietary sorbent; comparable to Hydrar® and Carulite®
Note: For sampling of low levels of mercury, use a sorbent tube

Inorganic Mercury Passive Sampler Product Data Bulletin (PDF)

Download Mercury Passive Sampler Instructions (PDF)

List of Laboratories for Analyzing 520 Inorganic Mercury Passive Samplers

References:
OSHA Method No. ID 140, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Inorganics Division, OSHA Technical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.

A. O. Rathje and D.H. Marcero, "Improved Hopcalite Procedure for the Determination of Mercury Vapor in the Air by Flameless Atomic Absorption," Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. Volume 37 (1976), pp. 311-314.

Method MDHS 16/2, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), United Kingdom

This page was last modified January 19, 2007

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Ordering Information