title: A gas-phase biosensor for environmental monitoring of formic acid: laboratory and field validation.
abstract: In order to encourage more exposure measurements to be performed, a formic acid gas-phase biosensor has been developed for this purpose. In the present paper, an enzyme based biosensor has been validated with respect to analyte selectivity and on-site use. To ensure that the sampler developed measures the compound of interest the biosensor was exposed to three near structural homologues to formic acid, i.e. acetic acid, methanol and formaldehyde. These vapours were generated with and without formic acid and the only compound that was found to have an effect on the performance of the biosensor, albeit a small one, was acetic acid. The field test was performed in a factory using formic acid-containing glue for glulam products. In parallel to the measurements with the biosensor a well defined reference method was used for sampling and analysing formic acid. It was found that the biosensor worked satisfactorily in this environment when used in a stationary position. It was also shown that the biosensor could determine formic acid vapour concentrations down to 0.03 mg m(-3).
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Working Life, PO Box 7654, SE-907 13 Umeå, Sweden. mattias.sandstrom@arbetslivsinstitutet.se
authors.forename: K J Mattias
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Sandström
authors.forename: Anna-Lena
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sunesson
authors.forename: Ja-Olof
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Anthony P F
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005560:Formate Dehydrogenases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005561:Formates / Q000032:analysis*; D012016:Reference Values; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D005561:Formates; C030544:formic acid; C037212:formate dehydrogenase (NADP+); D005560:Formate Dehydrogenases