A personal sampling method for the determination of nitrous oxide exposure.

A diffusive sampler is described which is suitable for the determination of time weighted average personal and static exposures to nitrous oxide. The sampler is based on a commercially available tube design and is analyzed by thermal desorption techniques. The performance of the sampler when exposed to a wide range of nitrous oxide concentrations is described. The effects of humidity changes on diffusive uptake have been tested and shown to be negligible. The precision of the sampler has been determined and the effects of back-diffusion and storage have been investigated. The results of these experiments and those of field comparisons between the diffusive sampler and conventional pump and tube techniques suggest that the precisions of both methods are similar. The diffusive method is preferred because of its simplicity and convenience.