Influence of temperature and relative humidity on the performance of nitrogen dioxide diffusive sampler

Abstract

Passive diffusive samplers provide an excellent opportunity to perform indicative measurements or establish a dense network of measuring sites. This paper describe and present the results of experiments in exposure chamber to determine the effects of different ambient air temperature (T) and relatively humidity (RH) on the performances of passive diffusive samplers for measuring nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the outdoor environment. In experimental studies were used passive diffusive samplers with stainless steel grids and impregnating solution of 10% (v/v) triethanolamine (TEA) with water. During these researches in laboratory chamber passive samplers was exposed at various conditions: temperature from 10°C to 40°C and relatively humidity from 30% to 80%. During these variations in conditions NO2 concentration was constant, approximately 40 μg/m3. Influence of temperature and relative humidity are weak on passive sampler performance when ambient temperature is 20°C and relatively humidity 60%. Changing environmental conditions (T > 30 °C and RH > 75 %) indicates accuracy of passive samplers 10–35% when compared to co-located continuous NOx analyzer.