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ULTRA
The Passive Alternative for Low-level VOCs
SKC Ultra 590 series

 

ULTRA Passive Sampler Downloads
  • ULTRA low ppb to ppt-level detection of organic vapors in ambient or indoor air

  • ULTRA convenient miniature samplers are easy to transport and set up


  • ULTRA lightweight — only 0.4 ounce and unobtrusive


  • ULTRA economical — no pump, no cleaning, no certification, no high shipping cost


  • ULTRA sample integrity with seamless sorbent transfer and storage to maintain low sorbent background


  • ULTRA reliable sampling based on EPA Method TO-17 for VOCs


  • ULTRA passive convenience, thermal desorption sensitivity


  • ULTRA ideal for indoor air and ambient studies

Patented (U.S. Patent No. 6,607,581) SKC ULTRA® Passive Samplers provide reliable sampling of low-level volatile organic compounds (VOCs) without the use of a pump. Target chemicals simply diffuse from the atmosphere into the sampler at a fixed rate. Analysis is by highly sensitive thermal desorption (TD) with gas chromatography (GC).

ULTRA Passive Sampler Applications

ULTRA Sampler for VOCs
EPA TO-17 for VOCs specifies sorbent tube sampling followed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography analysis, typically with mass spectrometry. Convenient, economical ULTRA samplers use the same sorbents and analysis providing low limits of detection in the low ppb to ppt concentration range for some chemicals.

See SKC update to EPA TO-17 for recommended sorbent for target compounds.

ULTRA Samplers for OSHA Sampling
OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center has shown ULTRA samplers with Chromosorb® 106 (Cat. No. 590-200) to effectively sample a mixture containing common solvent analytes. It is anticipated that the ULTRA sampler could be used to develop a new fully validated OSHA method that would find its best application in low-level, long-term workplace sampling for designated chemicals.

See the OSHA ULTRA Study at www.osha.gov and search on ULTRA.

ULTRA Sampler for Vapor Intrusion
A 10-home vapor intrusion study performed by the New York State Department of Health and Department of Environmental Conservation used ULTRA II samplers and SUMMA-type canisters side-by-side. Data indicated that ULTRA II samplers with Anasorb GCB1 or Tenax TA correlated well with canisters and may be used as a screening tool and potential predictor of concentrations inside homes.

See Measuring Sub-ppb Levels of VOCs in Indoor Air (PDF).

ULTRA Samplers for Landfill Gas Emissions
EPA-600/R-05/123a Guidance for Evaluating Landfill Gas Emissions from Closed or Abandoned Facilities states, "Indoor air sampling for COPCs (contaminants of potential concern) may be performed using several methods including whole air sampling (e.g., specially treated canisters) and passive sampling using solid sorbents." ULTRA samplers are available for this application.

See www.epa.gov/appcdwww/pubs/600r05123/600r05123.pdf.

Performance Profile

Sorbent Tenax® TA, Chromosorb 106, Anasorb® GCB, Carbopack X, or Carbograph 5
(ULTRA I is prefilled with sorbent; ULTRA II sorbent is sold separately and supplied in glass vials with PTFE-lined caps.)
Dimensions 1.4 [dia.] x 2.5 x 0.6 in (3.5 [dia.] x 6.3 x 1.5 cm)
Analysis Thermal desorption (TD) using a 0.25-in OD (0.194-in ID) x 3.5-in L (minimum) thermal desorption tube (Perkin Elmer) and gas chromatography (GC)
Shelf-life 30 days from date of manufacture
Storage Before Sampling: up to 30 days at < 39.2 F (4 C) in a clear, organic solvent-free environment
After Sampling: 21 days at < 39.2 F (4 C) in a clear, organic solvent-free environment
Sampling Rates See table below.

 

Sampling Rates at Zero Velocity for ULTRA Passive Samplers
Passive samplers operate on the principle of diffusion; therefore, they can exhibit “starvation” effects at low air velocities. Low air velocity is a common situation in indoor settings such as homes and buildings, where spaces are large and ventilation is controlled. Passive samplers have lower uptake rates under these conditions. The table below lists rates determined for air velocities less than 5 cm/sec.

Compound
Sampling Rate (ml/min)
< 5 cm/sec
Acetone
12.6
Benzene
10.69
Carbon tetrachloride
10.41
Chloroform
10.14
Cyclohexane
7.76
n-Decane
4.96
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
10.74
1,1-Dichloroethane
13.14
1,2-Dichloroethane
11.79
1,1-Dichloroethene
9.74
cis-Dichloroethene
11.10
trans-Dichloroethene
10.2
Ethyl acetate
9.26
Ethyl benzene
9.02
n-Heptane
9.38
Hexafluorobenzene
7.77
Hexane
9.59
Isopropyl acetate
9.57
Limonene
5.55
Methyl ethyl ketone
6.27
Methylene chloride
10.29
Methyl-t-butyl ether
9.84
Nonane
6.55
Octafluorotoluene
9.32
Octane
8.58
4-phenylcyclohexene
3.85
Perchloroethylene
10.02
alpha-Pinene
7.06
Styrene
9.04
Toluene
8.90
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
9.40
Trichloroethylene
11.47
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
9.92
Vinyl chloride
17.4
m-Xylene
7.78
o-Xylene
8.11
p-Xylene
8.42

Two Convenient Configurations

ULTRA convenience of a passive sampler with the ULTRA sensitivity of thermal desorption

 

ULTRA I
Prefilled with thermally purged sorbent

  • Ready for immediate use up to 30 days


ULTRA Passive Sampler Downloads

Easier Sorbent Transfer in the Lab!
Prefilled samplers permit easy and direct transfer of sorbent to a thermal desorption tube in the laboratory. the sorbent in the Ultra Sampler is transferred to a tube
ULTRA I
Diffusive samplers prefilled with cleaned/purged sorbent. See SKC update to EPA TO-17 for recommended sorbent for target compounds.

ULTRA I Passive Sampler† prefilled with: Qty.
Cat. No.
Tenax TA Sorbent, 265 mg 5
Chromosorb 106‡ Sorbent, 285 mg 5
Anasorb GCB1 Sorbent, 370 mg
Equivalent to Carbopack B 		5
Carbopack X Sorbent, 500 mg 5
Carbograph 5 Sorbent, 450 mg 5
Analysis Accessories
Thermal Desorption Tube, for ULTRA I and II, Perkin Elmer, 0.25-inch OD x 3.5-inch length, includes screens and end caps ea
† Use within 30 days; storage at < 39.2 F (4 C) recommended
‡ For additional information on sampling rate for Chromosorb 106, see Reference 3 below or Table of Sampling Rates (ml/min) for the Solvent Analyte Mixture Using SKC ULTRA Samplers Containing Chromosorb 106 (PDF).

ULTRA II
User-filled with thermally purged sorbent

  • Low background ensured with separate sorbent vial

  • Ideal for vapor intrusion studies

ULTRA Passive Sampler Downloads

Easier Sorbent Transfer in the Field!
Ultra II badge and Sorbent Vial: Transferring Sorbent
The user transfers sorbent directly into and out of the sampler housing. Before and after sampling, sorbent is stored in glass vials with PTFE caps to maintain low background and longer shelf-life and to facilitate shipping to the laboratory for analysis.
ULTRA II
For each sample, purchase empty sampler housing and separate vial of cleaned/purged sorbent. See SKC update to EPA TO-17 for recommended sorbent for target compounds.

Description Qty.
Cat. No.
ULTRA II Sampler, empty sampler housing only, packaged in reusable pouch
Requires sorbent in vial listed below 		ea
Sorbent Vial†
Cleaned and purged (< 20 ng typical background levels)
Tenax TA Sorbent in vial, 265 mg ea
Chromosorb 106‡ Sorbent in vial, 285 mg ea
Anasorb GCB1 Sorbent in vial, 370 mg
Equivalent to Carbopack B 		ea
Carbopack X Sorbent in vial, 500 mg ea
Carbograph 5 Sorbent in vial, 450 mg ea
Analysis Accessories
Transfer Funnel, for ULTRA II, aluminum, facilitates transfer of sorbent from vial to 0.25-inch OD thermal desorption tubes ea
Thermal Desorption Tube, for ULTRA I and II, Perkin Elmer, 0.25-inch OD x 3.5-inch length, includes screens and end caps ea
† Use within 30 days; storage at < 39.2 F (4 C) recommended
‡ For additional information on sampling rate for Chromosorb 106, see Reference 3 below or Table of Sampling Rates (ml/min) for the Solvent Analyte Mixture Using SKC ULTRA Samplers Containing Chromosorb 106 (PDF).

Validation
ULTRA Passive Samplers were evaluated by the U.S. Military1,2, OSHA Technical Center (Salt Lake)3, Swedish researchers4, and SKC Research and Development Laboratories5,6. Samplers with specific sorbents were found to be suitable for eight-hour workshift sampling, 24-hour indoor air studies targeting medium-to-high boiling point compounds, and for 24-hour or seven-day sampling of benzene and 1,3-butadiene*.

ULTRA Passive Samplers use the same sorbents and analysis as specified in the active method EPA TO-17. ULTRA samplers provide comparable low limits of detection in the low ppb to ppt concentration range for some chemicals while offering the benefits of economy and convenience7.

* Uptake rates for 1,3-butadiene declined over a one-week period.

 

References
  1. Hendricks, W.D., et. al., Feasibility of Diffusive Sampling to Monitor U.S. Military Personnel for Exposure to Toxic Chemical Substances, U.S. Dept. of Labor, OSHA, Salt Lake Technical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 2002

  2. Hendricks, W., The Marines Project: A Laboratory Study of Diffusive Sampling/Thermal Desorption/Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Monitoring Personal Exposure to Toxic Industrial Chemicals, Industrial Hygiene Division, OSHA, Salt Lake Technical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, April 2002

  3. Hendricks, W., Performance of SKC ULTRA Passive Samplers Containing Carboxen 1016, Carbotrap Z, or Chromosorb 106 When Challenged With a Mixture Containing Twenty of OSHA SLTC's Top Solvent Analytes, Methods Development Team, Industrial Hygiene Chemistry Division, OSHA, Salt Lake Technical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, February 2003. Go to www.osha.gov and search on ULTRA

  4. Strandberg, B., et. al., "Evaluation of Two Types of Diffusive Samplers and Adsorbents for Measuring 1,3-butadiene and Benzene in Air," Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 39, Issue 22, July 2005, pp. 4104-4110

  5. Coyne, L., et. al., Using Diffusive Samplers for Monitoring for Ppb Levels of Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air, presented at AirMon 02 Fourth International Symposium on Modern Principles of Air Monitoring, Lillehammer, Norway, Feb. 3-7, 2002

  6. Coyne, L., et. al., Using Diffusive Samplers for Monitoring for Ppb Levels of Volatile Organic Compounds in Air, presented at AIHce 2002, San Diego, CA, June 2002

  7. SKC Update to EPA Method TO-17, download below

     

ULTRA Passive Sampler Downloads

ULTRA Passive Samplers Spec. Sheet (PDF)

ULTRA I Passive Samplers Operating Instructions (PDF)

ULTRA II Passive Samplers for Thermal Desorption Operating Instructions (PDF)

ULTRA I and II Passive Samplers Analysis Instructions (PDF)

Secondary Diffusion Barrier for ULTRA and 575 Series Passive Samplers Operating Instructions (PDF)

Long-term Indoor/Ambient Air Validation Report

Indoor and Outdoor Sampling Rates for Environmental Sampling Using ULTRA Passive Samplers

Measuring Sub-ppb Levels of VOCs in Indoor Air: Performance Comparison of Diffusive Badges and Canisters (PDF)

Table of Sampling Rates (ml/min) for the Solvent Analyte Mixture Using SKC ULTRA Samplers Containing Chromosorb 106 (PDF)

EPA TO-17 Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Ambient or Indoor Air (PDF)

List of Laboratories for Analyzing ULTRA Passive Samplers

Vapor Intrusion Sampling Options: Performance Data for Canisters, Badges, and Sorbent Tubes for VOCs (PDF)

Monitoring Indoor Air and Workplace VOCs with Diffusive Samplers (PDF)

 

PowerPoint Shows


Feasibility of a New Diffusive Sampler to Measure Sub-ppb Levels of VOCs

 Download PPS File

View HTML version

Issues and Concerns in Diffusive Sampling: Factors Influencing Performance. A Field Evaluation of Diffusive Samplers and Canisters for Monitoring Volatile Organic Compounds in Vapor Intrusion Studies

Download PPS File

This page was last modified January 11, 2012
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