Evaluation of a diffusive sampler for air sampling of monoterpenes

A diffusive sampler for the assessment of exposure to terpenes was validated by laboratory experiments and field tests. The uptake rate for α-pinene was calculated to be 11.4 ml min^–1. No statistically significant effects of relative humidity, exposure time, concentration of α-pinene or sorbent were found on performing an eight run fractional factorial design. The correlation between pumped sampling and diffusive sampling in a saw mill was good (correlation coefficient = 0.997). No effects of back-diffusion could be shown. The uptake rate was constant over the air speed range 0.05–0.6 m s^–1 and the monoterpenes α-pinene, β-pinene and Δ³-carene could be sampled simultaneously. The sampler should be analysed within 14 d after the exposure assessment.