A gas-phase biosensor for environmental monitoring of formic acid: laboratory and field validation.

In order to encourage more exposure measurements to be performed, a formic acid gas-phase biosensor has been developed for this purpose. In the present paper, an enzyme based biosensor has been validated with respect to analyte selectivity and on-site use. To ensure that the sampler developed measures the compound of interest the biosensor was exposed to three near structural homologues to formic acid, i.e. acetic acid, methanol and formaldehyde. These vapours were generated with and without formic acid and the only compound that was found to have an effect on the performance of the biosensor, albeit a small one, was acetic acid. The field test was performed in a factory using formic acid-containing glue for glulam products. In parallel to the measurements with the biosensor a well defined reference method was used for sampling and analysing formic acid. It was found that the biosensor worked satisfactorily in this environment when used in a stationary position. It was also shown that the biosensor could determine formic acid vapour concentrations down to 0.03 mg m(-3).

[1]  A. Turner,et al.  Multivariate evaluation of factors influencing the performance of a formic acid biosensor for use in air monitoring. , 2001, The Analyst.

[2]  A. Turner,et al.  Application of molecularly imprinted polymers in sensors for the environment and biotechnology , 2001 .

[3]  A. Turner,et al.  Amperometric biosensor for formic acid in air , 2000 .

[4]  V. Popov,et al.  NAD(+)-dependent formate dehydrogenase. , 1994, The Biochemical journal.

[5]  K J Sandström,et al.  Biosensors in air monitoring. , 1999, Journal of environmental monitoring : JEM.

[6]  B. Andersson,et al.  Evaluation of adsorbents for sampling and quantitative analysis of microbial volatiles using thermal desorption-gas chromatography , 1995 .

[7]  J. R. Quayle.  [67] Formate dehydrogenase , 1966 .

[8]  P. Tuñón,et al.  Amperometric biosensors based on NAD(P)‐dependent dehydrogenase enzymes , 1997 .

[9]  S. Joshi.  Determination of thorium-228, thorium-230, and thorium-232 in sediments by anion exchange and nuclear spectrometry , 1985 .

[10]  R. Lindahl,et al.  Validation of a diffusive sampler for the determination of acetaldehyde in air , 1996 .

[11]  K. Eriksson,et al.  Evaluation of two adsorbents for diffusive sampling and thermal desorption-gas chromatographic analysis of monoterpenes in air. , 1999, Journal of environmental monitoring : JEM.

[12]  J. Liesivuori,et al.  Farmers' exposure to formic acid vapour in silage making. , 1983, The Annals of occupational hygiene.

[13]  I E Liljelind,et al.  Self-assessment of exposure--a pilot study of assessment of exposure to benzene in tank truck drivers. , 2000, Applied occupational and environmental hygiene.

[14]  T. Kauppinen.  Exposure assessment--a challenge for occupational epidemiology. , 1996, Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health.

[15]  George G. Guilbault,et al.  FUTURE TRENDS IN BIOSENSOR RESEARCH , 2001 .

[16]  K. Kawamura,et al.  Determination of organic acids (C1-C10) in the atmosphere, motor exhausts, and engine oils. , 1985, Environmental science & technology.

[17]  E. Zervas,et al.  Collection and analysis of organic acids in exhaust gas. Comparison of different methods , 1999 .

[18]  David Littlejohn,et al.  A diffusion tube sampler for the determination of acetic acid and formic acid vapours in museum cabinets , 1997 .