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Collection of a single alveolar exhaled breath for volatile organic compounds analysis
Author(s) -
Pleil Joachim D.,
Lindstrom Andrew B.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700280110
Subject(s) - medicine , sampling (signal processing) , cartridge , pollutant , chromatography , environmental chemistry , environmental science , waste management , organic chemistry , computer science , chemistry , mechanical engineering , filter (signal processing) , engineering , computer vision
Measurement of specific organic compounds in exhaled breath has been used as an indicator of recent exposure to pollutants or as an indicator of the health of an individual. A typical application involves the collection of multiple breaths onto a sorbent cartridge or into an evacuated canister with the use of a relatively complex sampling apparatus. A new method has been developed wherein a single exhaled breath is directly transferred from the mouth into an evacuated 1 1 or 1.8 1 stainless steel SUMMA® canister. The single breath canister (SBC) method avoids the necessity for a complex sampling system requiring maintenance and cleaning and allows easy collection of samples. Additionally, it is possible to collect a rapid sequence of samples from a subject to establish the elimination curve subsequent to an exposure to specific volatile organic compounds with a theoretical resolution of adjacent breaths. The SBC method was compared to an accepted canister based sampling system to assure comparability and then used to demonstrate its utility by measuring the absorption and elimination of chloroform during and after exposure to chlorinated shower water. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.