MerPAS - Passive Air Sampler
The MerPAS Passive Air Sampler is the newest Tekran sampling solution developed to provide our customers a simple device for measuring mercury in a wide range of environments. The sampler can be configured to sample either background ambient air or highly-contaminated industrial locations. Since collection is passive, MerPAS sampling is completely power-free allowing easy deployment in a wide array of locations.
Based on the design developed by researchers at the University of Toronto, the MerPAS sampler is the perfect sampling solution for locations not requiring high-resolution data, or for locations where greater spatial coverage is needed to complement a single location high resolution mercury monitor. After collection, the MerPAS sampler is analyzed in a laboratory for Hg content using thermal or wet chemical techniques.
- No power required
- Easy to deploy & retreive
- Low cost – low temporal resolution
- Applicable for wide concentration range (1 ng/m3 to 10 mg/m3)
- Relatively immune to wind and temperature effects
- Uses well-characterized diffusive barrier
- Highly tested and characterized
Outdoor Ambient Air - White Body with Jar
The MerPAS sampler fitted with the white body diffusive barrier is best used for sampling outdoor ambient air of low to intermediate mercury concentrations (0- 50 ng/m3). The sampler may be deployed for intervals of 1 week to 1 year. This sampler may also be used at concentrations of 50 to 1000 ng/m3 for shorter time intervals.
Example Applications
- Background Ambient Air
- Heavy Industry Areas
- Urban Air
- Site Survey Mapping
Outdoor Contaminated Ambient Air - Yellow Body with Jar:
The MerPAS sampler fitted with the yellow body diffusive barrier is best used for sampling outdoor ambient air with highly elevated mercury concentrations (50 ng/m3 ~ 1 mg/m3). The sampling time is typically hours up to 7 days, depending on the expected Hg levels and project goals.
Example Applications
- Mercury Remediation Sites
- Artisanal Gold Mining Areas
- Hg Hot Spot Mapping
- Hg Recycling Perimeter
Indoor Air - Yellow Body without Jar:
For indoor applications, the MerPAS sampler is deployed without the protective jar housing at any Hg concentration. Sample time is determined by monitoring goals and expected air Hg levels. The yellow body diffusive barrier is used due to better performance at low wind speeds.
Example Applications
- Private Residence Testing
- Real Estate Inspections
- Dental Offices
- Schools and Science Labs
- Laboratory & Hospitals
- Hg Recycling Interior
Personal Exposure - Yellow Body Pocket Mounted
The MerPAS sampler may also be configured as a personal sampler. For this configuration, the yellow body diffusive barrier is used without any protective housing. The sampler is attached to a plastic plate and then attached to the lapel or shirt pocket to keep the device near the worker breathing zone. Typical sample time is 8 hours.
The below table provides some general guidelines on MerPAS configuration and recommended deployment times for a variety of sampling applications. Note that the minimum and maximum deployment times take into consideration the target range of the instrument used for analysis. The sampling rates of the white-body and yellow-body sampler are listed below. Confirm the suggested ranges listed below are compatible with the instrument used for analysis.
White-Bodied w/ Jar Sample Rate (outdoor air) = 0.135 m3/day
Yellow-Bodied w/ Jar Sample Rate (outdoor air) = 0.06 m3/day*
Yellow-Bodied - No Jar Sample Rate (indoor air) = 0.069 m3/day*
