title: Cross-sensitivities of electrochemical detectors used to monitor worker exposures to airborne contaminants: false positive responses in the absence of target analytes.
abstract: Ideally, the response of electrochemical detectors is proportional to the concentration of targeted airborne chemicals and is not be affected by concomitantly present substances. Manufacturers provide a limited list of cross-sensitivities but end-users have anecdotally reported unexpected interferences by other substances. Electrochemical detectors designed to measure airborne levels of CO, H(2)S, NO, NO(2), or SO(2), were challenged with potentially interfering substances in the absence of target analytes. Cross-sensitivities undocumented by the manufacturers were observed and were found to vary between different models of instruments for the same challenge chemical.
authors.affiliation: Université du Québec (UQTR), correspondence address at the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, Fire Research Program, Bldg M59 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, CanadaK1A 0R6. claire.austin@nrc.gc.ca
authors.forename: Claire C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roberge
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goyer
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational