25mm cassette
Peracetic acid (PAA) is widely used in industries for its strong antimicrobial and oxidizing properties. Key applications include:
- Disinfection: Sterilizes equipment, surfaces, and pipelines.
- Packaging Sterilization: Used in aseptic packaging for beverages and other food products.
- Sterilization of Medical Equipment: Essential in hospitals for sterilizing surgical instruments and endoscopes.
At the same time, Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is always present in peracetic acid solutions due to the chemical equilibrium between peracetic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and water:
CH₃COOH + H₂O₂ ⇌ CH₃COOOH + H₂O
Both PAA and H₂O₂ are volatile and strictly regulated compounds. Monitoring these substances simultaneously is crucial for ensuring workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
Purpose of the Service
Our air sampling service is designed to support industrial hygiene consultants and health and safety professionals in assessing exposure risks to hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid. These compounds are commonly found in various industrial settings, and their accurate quantification is essential for maintaining safe working conditions and meeting occupational exposure limits.
Technical Details of the Service
In 2004, a research paper titled “Simultaneous Sampling of Peroxyacetic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide in Workplace Atmospheres” by G. HECHT, M. HÉRY, G. HUBERT, and I. SUBRA, published in The Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Volume 48, Issue 8, November 2004, Pages 715–721, introduced a methodology for simultaneous analysis of both PAA and H₂O₂. LCS Laboratory validated this method internally and now offers it to the health and safety community.
- Sample Collection:
- Samples are collected over 20-30 minutes using personal air sampling pumps operated at a flow rate of 1 L/min.
- The sampling train consists of a prefilter for separating hydrogen peroxide, followed by an adsorbent tube for collecting peracetic acid.
- Filtration for Hydrogen Peroxide:
- Air passes through a specialized 25 mm glass fibre filter that captures hydrogen peroxide while allowing peracetic acid to pass through.
- The filter is analyzed in our laboratory using the OSHA 1019 method to quantify hydrogen peroxide levels.
- Adsorption for Peracetic Acid:
- Air continues through an adsorbent tube that traps peracetic acid for separate analysis.
- Peracetic acid is analyzed in our laboratory using HPLC-UV.
- Detection Limits:
- Typical detection limits are 0.3 ppm for hydrogen peroxide and 0.01 ppm for peracetic acid, based on a 30 L air sample.
Contact Us for More Information
LCS Laboratory is dedicated to providing expert air sampling and analysis services. For guidance on planning your project, ordering sampling kits, or shipping instructions, please Contact Us.
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Trust LCS Laboratory for accurate, efficient, and reliable air sampling and analysis services.
