For the purpose of collection of ambient air samples for determination of polyaromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH), Polychlorinated biphenols (PCB’s), dioxins and furans, and
pesticides a high volume sampler is used for this method with a polyurethane foam
(PUF) cartridge. Typically samples are collected on the National Air Pollution
Surveillance (NAPS) schedule, every six days. Results will not be immediate but rather
in the form of laboratory results, days or even weeks later. PUF samplers are named as
such because they use a plug of polyurethane foam to trap the target compounds that
exist in the vapour phase. A particulate filter is also used to collect the sample in the
particulate phase and trap dust and prevent deterioration of the foam.
