Abstract: A passive air sampler or badge suitable for wearing includes a vial adaptor to facilitate transferring granular or particulate adsorbent to and from it directly into a specially designed vial sized to accommodate a standard amount for use in a desorption tube for chromatographic or other analysis of the materials desorbed.

Abstract: A passive air sampler or badge suitable for wearing includes a vial adaptor to facilitate transferring granular or particulate adsorbent to and from it directly into a specially designed vial sized to accommodate a standard amount for use in a desorption tube for chromatographic or other analysis of the materials desorbed.

Abstract: A fluid valve permits small quantities of fluid from a container to be withdrawn with a syringe. The valve has a sleeve mounted on a hollow stem in fluid flow communication with the container. A septum is movably mounted between the bore of the sleeve and the bore of the stem. The septum has a first surface facing into the hollow stem and a second aligned surface facing the atmosphere around the valve. A needle is inserted through the aligned surfaces of the septum to withdraw fluid in the stem bore or in the container and is then withdrawn.

Abstract: A sampler including a pump unit and a holder for an adsorbent for the pollutants both carried by the personnel while in the area under observation, typically during an 8-hour working period. The pump unit includes a motor-driven pump which draws the air breathed by the personnel through the adsorbent while the personnel is in the area. The unit includes a counter for counting the revolutions of the motor as a measure of the air being drawn. At the end of the working period, the adsorbent is desorbed and the quantity of pollutants determined. This apparatus is of very low power so that it can be carried without discomfort for a working day, and low quantities of air are pumped. High efficiency and low leakage is achieved with a unique pump. The pump includes a plenum whose pressure is varied by flexing a thin membrane. The flow of air to and from the plenum is controlled by unique valves, an outlet valve connected to the plenum and an intake valve to the adsorbents.