Biomedical subjects

Stuart Batterman

Publications and source records attributed to Stuart Batterman.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Simultaneous measurement of ventilation using tracer gas techniques and VOC concentrations in homes, garages and vehicles.

Air exchange rates and interzonal flows are critical ventilation parameters that affect thermal comfort, air migration, and contaminant exposure in buildings and other environments. This paper presents the development of an updated approach to measure these parameters using perfluorocarbon tracer (PFT) gases, the constant injection rate method, and adsorbent-based sampling of PFT concentrations. The design of miniature PFT sources using hexafluorotoluene and octafluorobenzene tracers, and the development and validation of an analytical GC/MS method for these tracers are described. We show that simultaneous deployment of sources and passive samplers, which is logistically advantageous, will not cause significant errors over multiday measurement periods in building, or over shorter periods in rapidly ventilated spaces like vehicle cabins. Measurement of the tracers over periods of hours to a week may be accomplished using active or passive samplers, and low method detection limits (<0.025 microg m(-3)) and high precisions (<10%) are easily achieved. The method obtains the effective air exchange rate (AER), which is relevant to characterizing long-term exposures, especially when ventilation rates are time-varying. In addition to measuring the PFT tracers, concentrations of other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are simultaneously determined. Pilot tests in three environments (residence, garage, and vehicle cabin) demonstrate the utility of the method. The 4 day effective AER in the house was 0.20 h(-1), the 4 day AER in the attached garage was 0.80 h(-1), and 16% of the ventilation in the house migrated from the garage. The 5 h AER in a vehicle traveling at 100 km h(-1) under a low-to-medium vent condition was 92 h(-1), and this represents the highest speed test found in the literature. The method is attractive in that it simultaneously determines AERs, interzonal flows, and VOC concentrations over long and representative test periods. These measurements are practical, cost-effective, and helpful in indoor air quality and other investigations.

Air Movements↗

PubMed2005

Long duration tests of room air filters in cigarette smokers' homes.

Information regarding the long-term performance of stand-alone room airfilters is limited. In this study, laboratory and field tests were carried out to determine the effectiveness and performance of room filters that are easily deployed in essentially any type of house. Tests were conducted in houses containing strong PM sources, specifically cigarette smokers. Using commercially available four-speed HEPA filter units, we tested flow rate, pressure drop, and power consumption as a function of fan speed and filter loading. Filters were then deployed in four single-family homes over a 2 month period. Between 15 and 40 cigarettes were smoked daily by several smokers in each home. Occupants were instructed to continuously operate the unit at one of the higher speeds. Periodically, we monitored filter usage, fan speed, particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations, PM number concentrations, volatile organic compound (VOC) levels, and other parameters with the filter fan operating and with filters both installed and removed. The filters decreased PM concentrations by 30-70%, depending on size fraction and occupant activities, and significantly reduced the half-life of PM3-1.0. The half-life of 1-5 microm particles, CO2 concentrations, and VOC concentrations, including 2,5-dimethyl furan (a tracer for environmental tobacco smoke), did not change, indicating that occupancy and cigarette smoking intensity did not change overthe monitoring periods. Occupants generally kept the filters operating at a moderate speed. Filter air flow rates decreased 7-14% with extended operation, largely due to the loading of prefilters. Air exchange rates, deposition loss rates, and clean air delivery rates were estimated from the field data. Continuous operation at an intermediate fan speed would incur a total annualized cost of $236. While acceptance of the filters was very high, occupants might benefit from instructions and reminders to clean the prefilter and to keep the unit on. We conclude that adequately sized room air filters can substantially lower PM concentrations in smoker's homes if air exchange rates are limited and that the filters can maintain their performance over extended periods.

Air Movements↗

PubMed2003

Threshold quantity criteria for risk management programs: recommendations for toxic releases.

Facilities using hazardous substances are required to comply with risk management programs that aim to reduce the frequency of chemical accidents and the severity of consequences in the event of an accident. Both the European Union and the United States use chemical-specific weight thresholds for toxic substances to determine those facilities and processes that must comply with such programs. This study evaluates whether the establishment and use of these 'threshold quantities' is consistent and protective of public health. The chemical footprint or hazard zone length is calculated using current threshold quantities and 'level of concern' (LOC) concentrations for 77 toxic chemicals in the US regulations. Using the worst-case scenario and the recommended procedure involving the Risk Management Program (RMP)*Comp, footprint lengths range up to 40 km. However, the RMP*Comp program provides inconsistent results. Threshold quantities are then calculated using an atmospheric dispersion model and several meteorological and land-use scenarios. In the base scenario (winds at 4.3 m/s, neutral stability, urban conditions, and distances of 100, 250, and 1000 m), distance-based weight thresholds are considerably smaller than current listings for most toxic substances. Distance-based and current thresholds have low correlation (e.g. r=0.34) and large discrepancies (e.g. differences up to three orders of magnitude). Alternative scenarios evaluated for distance-based threshold quantities, which used using stable atmospheres and rural settings further reduce the distance-based weight thresholds and increase discrepancies. Linear relationships are shown between threshold quantities and level of concerns for each scenario and dispersion mode (neutral or dense) that allow simple calculation of threshold quantities. The current thresholds may exclude facilities that could pose significant off-site risks, and the thresholds are inconsistent with the off-site consequence analysis (OCA). Recommendations include revising the threshold quantities that determine covered facilities/processes; modifying RMP*Comp to eliminate errors; establishing threshold quantities using a more rational approach, e.g. based on hazard zones or distances using credible scenarios; and using the same health-based level of concern in both initial screening and subsequent off-site consequence analyses.

Accident Prevention↗

PubMed2002

Partition coefficients for the trihalomethanes among blood, urine, water, milk and air.

Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, chlorodibromomethane, and bromoform comprise the trihalomethanes, a group of widespread and mildly lipophilic compounds that result from water chlorination and other sources. Many animal studies show the chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of these compounds, and recent work has demonstrated the importance of both ingestion and inhalation exposure pathways. This study presents partition coefficients describing the equilibrium among biological compartments (air, water, blood, milk, urine) for the four THMs based on results of headspace gas chromatographic analyses performed under equilibrium conditions and at 37 degrees C. The calculated partition coefficients ranged from 2.92 to 4.14 for blood/water, 1.54-2.85 for milk/blood, and 3.41-4.93 for blood/urine, with the lowest being chloroform and the highest being bromoform. Both human and cow milk were tested, with similar results. The available samples of human milk may not fully account for differences in lipid content and possibly other factors that affect estimates of partition coefficients. Simultaneous measurements of milk and blood in exposed individuals are suggested to confirm laboratory results. Partition coefficients are predicted using the octanol-air partition coefficient, also measured in this study, and the octanol-water partition coefficient. Results are similar to literature estimates for liquid/air partitioning of chloroform and chlorodibromomethane, but they differ from predictions based on hydrophobicity and lipid content. High correlations between the derived partitioned coefficients and the molecular structure (number of Br atoms) and physical properties (molecular weight and boiling point) are found for these analogous chemicals. In humans, THMs are both stored and metabolized with relatively rapid clearance rates. The derived partition coefficients can help to interpret results of biological monitoring and predict the potential for the accumulation and transfer of chemicals, specifically by the application of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models. THM exposures to potentially susceptible populations, e.g. nursing infants, can be predicted using either such models.

Air↗

PubMed2002

Low-flow active and passive sampling of VOCs using thermal desorption tubes: theory and application at an offset printing facility.

While air sampling techniques using adsorbent-based collection, thermal desorption and chromatographic analysis have found a niche in ambient air sampling, occupational applications have been more limited. This paper evaluates the use of thermal desorption techniques for low flow active and passive sampling configurations which allow conveniently long duration sampling in occupational settings and other high concentration environments. The use of an orifice enables flows as low as 0.5 ml min(-1) and sampling periods up to several days without significant biases. A model is used to predict sampling rates of a passive sampler encompassing an orifice, a void space, glass wool, and the adsorbent. Laboratory and field tests conducted at a commercial offset printing facility, which contained a variety of volatile organic compounds (primarily aromatic but also a few chlorinated and terpene compounds at levels from 1 to 67,000 microg m(-3)), are used to evaluate the approach. Tenax GR and Carbosieve SIII, both singly and together, were employed as adsorbents. Side-by-side tests comparing high flow, low flow and passive samplers show excellent agreement and high linearity (r = 0.95) for concentrations spanning nearly five orders of magnitude. Active samplers were tested at flows as low as 0.5 ml min(-1), compared to typical flows up to 40 ml min(-1). Passive samplers demonstrated a linear range and agreement with predictions for adsorbate loadings from approximately 1 ng to nearly 10 microg. Using a chemical mass balance receptor model, concentrations in the facility were apportioned to solvents, inks and other indoor and outdoor sources. Overall, the use of low flow active and passive sampling approaches employing thermal desorption techniques provides good performance and tremendous flexibility that facilitates use in many applications, including workplace settings.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2002

Diffusive uptake in passive and active adsorbent sampling using thermal desorption tubes.

Low flow active sampling techniques collecting vapors and gases using thermally desorbable adsorbents are now feasible and desirable in many applications as they permit long integration times, the potential for miniaturized sampling configurations, and other advantages. At very low air flow rates (< 1 ml min(-1)), diffusive uptake on adsorbents in conventional sorbent tubes may equal or exceed the active (pumped) uptake rate, and even at low flow rates (1-4 ml min(-1)), diffusive uptake may significantly bias measurements. Thus, corrections to account for the diffusive flux or means to limit the diffusive uptake are needed in low flow applications. This paper presents (1) a theoretical analysis of the role of diffusive and advective uptake for several sampling geometries of tube-type samplers; (2) experimental confirmation using both laboratory and field studies; (3) estimates of the tortuosity and porosity of the glass wool packing used to retain the adsorbent, parameters needed to estimate diffusive fluxes in passive and active sampling; (4) a demonstration that orifice-equipped low flow active samplers can reduce diffusive uptake and improve precision, and (5) a model predicting the saturated adsorbent layer that helps to account for the gradual decline in uptake rates seen in passive sampling. Diffusive uptake will depend on the tube configuration and diffusion coefficient of the substance of interest, but for conventional sampling tubes (0.4-0.5 cm id, 1.5 cm air gap), sample flow rates should be maintained above 1 to 4 ml min(-1) to keep errors below 5%. Laboratory experiments showed close agreement with theoretical calculations, and the field study using 1 to 4 d sampling periods and 0.3 ml min(-1) flows demonstrated that the orifice-equipped samplers essentially eliminated diffusive uptake. No significant practical difficulties are encountered using orifices, e.g., pressure drop is minimal. Experimental estimates of tortuosity (0.79 +/- 0.02) and porosity (0.92 +/- 0.10) of the glass wool packing (0.3 cm length) represent relatively little resistance to diffusion; however, variation in the packing and adsorbent placement can degrade the precision achievable by passive samplers. Diffusion barriers, consisting most simply of an orifice, may be used to lower the diffusive uptake. A needle-type orifice permits flows below 0.1 ml min(-1) and is suitable for sampling periods as long as several weeks, and it provided greater precision than conventional open-ended sampling tubes (8% compared to 13%). Finally, the gradual decrease in diffusive fluxes often seen in passive sampling is attributed to additional resistance posed by a saturated adsorbent layer, in agreement with a simple model based on total VOCs and specific adsorptivity of the adsorbent.

Adsorption↗