Passive colorimetric dosimeter tubes for ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide

Abstract

Colorimetric, stain length, personal dosimeters operating by gas diffusion have been developed to determine worker exposure for up to an eight-hour period for several inorganic airborne contaminants in the range of their Threshold Limit Values. Length of stain, colorimetric dosimeters have been made for the detection of ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in air. For each gas detection system, the sampler depends on the transfer of the gas by diffusion into a glass tube containing a colorimetric length of stain indicator. The stain length developed in a given period of time is compared to a calibration chart to determine, on the spot, the average gas concentration to which the dosimeter has been exposed. These dosimeters are known by the trade name Vapor Gard.