CO2 laser absorption cross-section data are reported for acrolein, styrene, ethyl acrylate, trichloroethylene, vinyl bromide, and vinylidene chloride. These data indicate that sub parts per billion level, interference-free detection limits should be possible for these compounds by the CO2 laser photoacoustic technique. Photoacoustic detectabilities below 40 ppb should be possible for these compounds in the presence of ambient air concentrations of water vapor and other anticipated interferences. These compounds are also found not to be important interferences in the detection of toxic hydrazine-based rocket fuels by CO2 laser spectroscopic techniques.
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Absorption cross-section data tabulated here correspond to averages of measurements made at the following sample pressures when buffered to 760 Torr with N2.
1.72-, 4.35-, and 5.25-Torr acrolein.
0.998-, 1.052-, 2.53-, 3.06-, 3.98-, and 4.80-Torr styrene.
1.043-, 1.051-, 1.48-, 1.52-, 1.59-, 3.33-, 4.07-, and 4.20-Torr ethyl acrylate.
0.969-, 2.54-, 2.68-, 3.00-, 3.21-, and 4.12-Torr trichloroethylene.
1.523-, 1.55-, 7.08-, 7.14-, 7.38-, and 7.40-Torr vinyl bromide.
0.999-, 1.61-, 2.57-, and 3.42-Torr vinylidene chloride.
Table II
Comparison of Expected CO2 Laser Photoacousiic Detectabilities a of Selected Toxic Vapors to Work Place Standards for These Compounds
100-ppm OSHA 8-h TWA (subject to possible revision)
10.834
P42
2.22 ± 0.12
45
10.858
P44
2.75
36
Ethyl acrylate
9.317
R12
7.25 ± 0.05
14
25-ppm OSHA 8-h TWA
9.621
P28
4.61 ± 0.08
22
10.135
R38
5.21 ± 0.02
19
Trichlproethylene
10.591
P20
14.55 ± 0.16
7
100-ppm OSHA 8-h TWA (NIOSH d has recommended that compound be considered a carcinogen and its threshold be reduced)
10.696
P30
12.72 ± 0.10
8
Vinyl bromide
10.494
P10
2.85 ± 0.24
35
5-ppm ACGIHe proposed 8-h TWA (ACGIH has listed compound as suspected human carcinogen)
10.611
P22
4.07 ± 0.07
25
10.718
P32
2.18 ± 0.03
46
Vinylidene chloride
9.210
R32
13.35 ± 0.50
8
10-ppm ACGIH 8-h TWA 1-ppm NIOSH recommended 8-h TWA (compound has produced cancer in certain laboratory animals)
9.240
R26
11.26 ± 0.12
9
Estimated detection limit in air samples containing 15-Torr water vapor and no other interferences.
Assumes an effective minimum detectable absorptivity
value of 10−7 cm−1. This value is 10% of the water continuum background absorption for air samples containing 15-Torr water vapor.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
Tables (2)
Table I
CO2 Laser Absorption Cross Sections (cm−1 atm−1) of Selected Toxic Compounds a
Absorption cross-section data tabulated here correspond to averages of measurements made at the following sample pressures when buffered to 760 Torr with N2.
1.72-, 4.35-, and 5.25-Torr acrolein.
0.998-, 1.052-, 2.53-, 3.06-, 3.98-, and 4.80-Torr styrene.
1.043-, 1.051-, 1.48-, 1.52-, 1.59-, 3.33-, 4.07-, and 4.20-Torr ethyl acrylate.
0.969-, 2.54-, 2.68-, 3.00-, 3.21-, and 4.12-Torr trichloroethylene.
1.523-, 1.55-, 7.08-, 7.14-, 7.38-, and 7.40-Torr vinyl bromide.
0.999-, 1.61-, 2.57-, and 3.42-Torr vinylidene chloride.
Table II
Comparison of Expected CO2 Laser Photoacousiic Detectabilities a of Selected Toxic Vapors to Work Place Standards for These Compounds
100-ppm OSHA 8-h TWA (subject to possible revision)
10.834
P42
2.22 ± 0.12
45
10.858
P44
2.75
36
Ethyl acrylate
9.317
R12
7.25 ± 0.05
14
25-ppm OSHA 8-h TWA
9.621
P28
4.61 ± 0.08
22
10.135
R38
5.21 ± 0.02
19
Trichlproethylene
10.591
P20
14.55 ± 0.16
7
100-ppm OSHA 8-h TWA (NIOSH d has recommended that compound be considered a carcinogen and its threshold be reduced)
10.696
P30
12.72 ± 0.10
8
Vinyl bromide
10.494
P10
2.85 ± 0.24
35
5-ppm ACGIHe proposed 8-h TWA (ACGIH has listed compound as suspected human carcinogen)
10.611
P22
4.07 ± 0.07
25
10.718
P32
2.18 ± 0.03
46
Vinylidene chloride
9.210
R32
13.35 ± 0.50
8
10-ppm ACGIH 8-h TWA 1-ppm NIOSH recommended 8-h TWA (compound has produced cancer in certain laboratory animals)
9.240
R26
11.26 ± 0.12
9
Estimated detection limit in air samples containing 15-Torr water vapor and no other interferences.
Assumes an effective minimum detectable absorptivity
value of 10−7 cm−1. This value is 10% of the water continuum background absorption for air samples containing 15-Torr water vapor.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.