Passive Badge Assessment for Long-Term, Low-level Air Monitoring on Submarines: Acrolein Badge Validation

摘要

Passive diffusion badges are being tested as a long-term, method of analyte-specific air analysis onboard U.S. Navy (USN) nuclear submarines. Passive badge monitors for acrolein detection were tested. Long-term sampling efficiency was evaluated for a 28-day period by comparing the response of the passive badge to an active tube sampling method. The badges and tubes were exposed to acrolein vapor at concentrations of 0.2 and 0.1 ppm, resulting in a time-weighted-average of exposure at 100% and 50% of the USN 90-day submarine- specific limit (0.01 ppm). The badges and tubes continued to accumulate the analyte for 21 days, with recovery of the analyte onto badges consistently about 30% lower than recovery onto tubes. The badges and tubes seemed to reach full capacity before the full 28 days of the validation expired. Volatility of the derivatizing agent may have resulted in premature saturation of the sampling substrate. Badge results appear to be stable for continuous, qualitative air monitoring for up to seven days and possibly for up to 14 days.