Researcher Cecilia Österman collects analysis test tubes that measure air pollution in the cabin
Measurement and analyses of air quality parameters
Det finns olika sätt att undersöka vilka luftföroreningar som förekommer i innemiljön. I det här avsnittet ges exempel på hur mätningar går till, vilka laboratorier som kan hjälpa till med mätning och analys av olika ämnen, samt information om vad som ska ingå i en mätrapport.
Planning the measurements
There are several ways to investigate air pollutants in the indoor environment. The Swedish Work Environment Authority's regulations on limit values for respiratory exposure in the work environment contain rules on which substances may need to be measured depending on the type of air pollutant, how the measurement should be planned and how it should be carried out.
If the aim of the investigation is to assess the relationship between the concentration and the limit values, the measurements must be carried out using personal samplers placed in the breathing zone. The measurements should be planned together with the workers concerned.
Contents of the measurement report
In order for the exposure measurement to be used for an overall assessment of the chemical risks of the work environment, the results of the measurements must be documented in a measurement report, which must contain at least the following information:
- Where the measurements were carried out in relation to where the workers normally spend their time.
- The conditions at the workplace during the sampling, such as which engines were running at what times and the functioning of the ventilation system.
- How the staff were working in the room, an assessment of the staff's physical workload, which can affect the uptake of hazardous substances, and whether they were wearing personal protective equipment.
- What other exposures occur simultaneously and have a synergistic hygienic effect.
- A comparison with previous surveys or other investigations to put the results into perspective.
- What action is recommended in response to the results of the measurements.
Methods for measuring air pollutants in general indoor environments can also be applied to air quality studies on ships. Measured concentrations can be compared with occupational health and safety limits in work areas or recommended guidelines in living areas.
How to make measurements
Some on-board measurements of air pollutants and indoor climate parameters can easily be carried out using passive samplers or simple sensors. The advantage of passive samplers is that they require no power and are small and quiet. Some other measurements, such as particulate matter, require more sophisticated instruments operated by experienced personnel. Instructions for measuring gaseous and particulate air pollutants commonly found on ships are described in the following sections. The information is categorised according to the type of sampler, sensor or instrument required for the different measurements.
Results for airborne pollutants are given as concentrations in µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre). The concentration is an average over the sampling period.
Temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide
There are several sensors on the market for measuring temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration. We have good experience with the robust and stable sensors from Wöhler. The combination instrument CDL210 measures and records carbon dioxide (ppm), humidity in percent and temperature. The logged data can be transferred via a USB connection and processed in a simple programme supplied with the instrument.
The Wöhler KM 410 is a hand-held, battery-operated version of a combination instrument. The KM410 measures and records carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature and relative humidity, and also calculates and records wet bulb temperature and dew point. The instruments can be purchased from Swema.se, for example.
Sensor for measuring temperature, relative humidity and the level of carbon dioxide that collects data on a bridge.
Manual for using the sensor Wöhler can be downloaded here.
Pdf, 197 kB.
Software for transferring measurement data from the sensor to a computer Wöhler CDL 210 / KM 410 – Software can be downloaded from Wöhler's website.
External link, opens in new window.
Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone can be measured with IVL's passive samplers. The sampling principle is that the air diffuses into the sampler and the pollutants are collected on an impregnated filter. The samplers can be ordered from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. Detailed instructions for handling of the samplers are provided with ordered samplers. The sampling period is 1-2 weeks. After the sampling has been completed, the samplers are sent to the laboratory for analysis. The cost of the sampler and analysis is approximately SEK 500-800.
IVL's passive sampler for measuring nitrogen dioxide (red), sulfur dioxide (blue) and ozone (green).
Volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can also be measured with passive samplers.
For passive sampling of VOCs, tubes containing Tenax© adsorbent medium are used. VOCs are analysed both as the sum of VOCs in the sample (TVOC) and by identifying and quantifying individual substances, such as benzene.
Formaldehyde is measured with a different type of passive sampler. Analyses can be ordered from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. The cost of the sampler and analysis is approximately SEK 2 500 – 3 000.
PAHs are measured with a special passive sampler made of polyurethane foam (PUF), which is cylindrical, approximately 10 cm long and 2 cm in diameter. During sampling, the PUF sampler is placed in a special protective metal wire container with a mesh size of 1 mm.
Concentrations can be determined for 32 specified PAHs, including the 16 PAHs identified as priority by the US EPA. Naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene are the PAHs of most concern in the workplace. Samplers, analyses and price information can be ordered from Arbets- och miljömedicin (Occupational and Environmental Medicine) Syd.
Set of samplers for measuring several different air pollutants: Nitrogen dioxide (red button), sulphur dioxide (blue button), ozone (white button), volatile organic compounds (steel tube), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (foam in a protective net) and formaldehyde (white tube in the middle). The cap of the steel tube is removed before a start of the measurement.
Particulate matter, elemental carbon and carbon monoxide
Particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 are measured either by deposition on filters or by direct reading instruments. Both measurement methods must be carried out by experienced personnel. The measurement can be ordered from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.
Elemental carbon is measured with a special instrument called an aethalometer. The measurement can be carried out at Arbets- och miljömedicin (Occupational and Environmental Medicine) Göteborg.
Carbon monoxide is measured with direct reading instruments. IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute offers this type of measurement.
Laboratories
Laboratories that can carry out measurements and analyzes of air pollution:
- Arbets- och miljömedicin Göteborg: formaldehyde, elemental carbon, inhalable dust, respirable dust and total dust.
- Arbets- och miljömedicin Syd: inhalable dust, respirable dust, total dust, naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene.
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute: nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC), particles, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity.