title: Comparison of sensor characteristics of three real-time monitors for organic vapors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sensor characteristics and performance of three real-time monitors for volatile organic compounds (VOC monitor) equipped with a photo ionization detector (PID), a sensor using the interference enhanced reflection (IER) method and a semiconductor gas sensor were investigated for 52 organic solvent vapors designated as class 1 and class 2 of organic solvents by the Ordinance of Organic Solvent Poisoning Prevention in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Test vapors were prepared by injecting each liquid solvent into a 50 l Tedlar® bag and perfectly vaporizing it. The vapor concentration was from one-tenth to twice the administrative control level for all solvents. The vapor concentration was measured with the monitors and a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector simultaneously, and the values were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The monitor with the PID sensor could measure many organic vapors, but it could not detect some vapors with high ionization potential. The IER sensor could also detect many vapors, but a linear response was not obtained for some vapors. A semiconductor sensor could detect methanol that could not be detected by PID and IER sensors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Working environment measurement of organic vapors by real-time monitors may be possible, but sensor characteristics and their limitations should be known.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Management, School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health.
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: Sumiyo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishimatsu
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fueta
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hinoue
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishidao
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005410:Flame Ionization; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D012997:Solvents / Q000145:classification; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D012997:Solvents; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds