A Gas Chromatographic Microsystem for Volatile Organic Compounds: Critical Components, Chemometric Algorithms, and a Laboratory Prototype for Workplace Exposure Monitoring

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bryant-Genevier J
• Description:
  This dissertation describes a series of projects related to the development of a gas chromatographic microsystem for the determination of exposures to mixtures of airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The primary application of this instrument was quantitatively analyze the individual components of complex VOC mixtures typical of workplace exposures. The primary focus is on the design, development and characterization of the Personal Exposure Monitoring Microsystem (PEMM), a portable micro-scale gas chromatograph (uGC), as well as accompanying chemometric algorithms for improving sensitivity and selectivity. In this chapter, background knowledge relevant to the research presented in this dissertation will be discussed, as well as an overview of the previous uGC system development efforts from the Zellers research group, from which this work drew heavily. The significance of this work will also be presented. Specifically, a review of traditional and portable sampling and analytical methods for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the workplace is presented, followed by a showcase of the field testing of the SPIRON uGC to assess vapor intrusion of trichloroethylene (TCE) in homes near Hill Air Force Base (AFB). Next, a series of discussions on the 1) factors affecting preconcentration of VOCs on graphitized carbon adsorbents and the design of micro-scale preconcentrators, 2) the variables governing the performance of gas 2 chromatographic systems, and 3) principles and governing assumptions of bilinear chemometric algorithms, most notably evolving factor analysis (EFA) and alternating least squares (ALS) are presented. Chapter 2 describes research performed in the development and application of a chemometric algorithm employing EFA-ALS to chromatograms from a micro-chemiresistor (uCR) array detector. A significant portion of the work presented in Chapter 2 has been published in the journal Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. Chapter 3 presents research on the characterization and optimization of a micro-fabricated dual adsorbent preconcentration and injection device for use with the Personal Exposure Monitoring Microsystem (PEMM) uGC. This work has been submitted for publication in the Journal of Chromatography A. Chapter 4 discusses the design, integration, and validation of the PEMM for analysis of VOCs in the workplace. This work is being prepared for publication. In summary, this dissertation entails several independent yet interrelated projects directed towards the development of uGC technology for applications in industrial hygiene and exposure assessment. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety Solvents Volatile Organic Compounds
• Keywords:
  Equipment Design Gas Chromatography Monitors Occupational Exposure Vapors VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds
• Publisher:
  University of Michigan
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Dissertation
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-185
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055722
• Citation:
  Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan, 2016 May; :1-185
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• Performing Organization:
  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20130901
• Source Full Name:
  A gas chromatographic microsystem for volatile organic compounds: critical components, chemometric algorithms, and a laboratory prototype for workplace exposure monitoring
• End Date:
  20170831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:8e783f990dfdba06303d303b1e2615a0a24e4d9c42ea7af4eebdcf957b39c4fae3487cb74794b96b99c2d088bd892d287fd52b838aee7c781b76d2cf96e32d02
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/213506/cdc_213506_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.78 MB ]