SKC 590-400 User Manual

Operating Instructions

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Hydrogen Cyanide Passive Sampler

Cat. No. 590-400

Introduction

The SKC Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) Passive Sampler, specifi ed in OSHA Method
1015, provides accurate sampling of hydrogen cyanide from 0.44 to 20 ppm for
either 15-minute or 8-hour samples. The uptake rate for the HCN Passive Sampler
is 28.4 ml/min. The sampler design allows the user to load 600 mg of soda lime
sorbent (supplied in a vial) into the sampler housing in the fi eld immediately before
sampling and transfer the sorbent from sampler to vial in the fi eld immediately
a er sampling as specifi ed in the method. Samples are desorbed with water and
analyzed by ion chromatography/electrochemical detector. The HCN Passive
Sampler is designed for single use.

Collar

Clip

Plug

Vial containing

soda lime sorbent

(sorbent is white in

appearance)

Cover

Collar Clip

Front View
of Housing

Diffusion Barrier

Vial

Adapter

Back View
of Housing

Performance Profi le

Sorbent/Amount: Soda Lime, 600 mg (supplied in glass vial)
Housing Material: Nylon
Diameter: 1.4 in (3.5 cm)
Length
(including clip): 2.5 in (6.3 cm)
Measuring Range: 0.44 to 20 ppm
Analysis: Solvent extraction; ion chromatography (IC) with electro-

chemical detector (ELCM)

Sample Storage: 3 weeks at 68 F (20 C) in storage studies

Note: OSHA Method 1015 recommends that samples be sent

to a laboratory as soon as possible. If delay is unavoidable, store
samples in a refrigerator as a precaution.

Sample Time: Validated for 15 min and 8 hrs
Sampling Rate: 28.4 ml/min (4.40% RSD)

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Sampling

2

2

3A

Remove sampler housing and vial of sorbent from

resealable aluminized pouch.

Write pertinent information, including

Sample ID#, on the lines provided on the
pouch label and the sampler housing.

Note: OSHA Method 1015 specifies that
the sample site temperature and uncorrected
atmospheric pressure be recorded.

Soda lime sorbent is very caustic. Wear gloves
when handling sampler and vial to avoid skin
contact with sorbent.

Perform this step immediately before sampling

or on the day of use. In a clean environment,

free of hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfi de
(interferent), remove plug from vial adapter on
back of sampler housing (side without holes).
Remove cap from sorbent vial. Immediately
screw open end of vial counterclockwise into
the vial adapter until secure (see inset 3A). Rotate
entire assembly until sorbent is draining from
vial to sampler (Figure 3). Tap vial lightly before
unscrewing and removing it from the adapter.
Immediately replace plug on vial adapter. Store
sorbent vial and cap in aluminized pouch.

Record start time on the sampler label. Remove

cover from face of sampler housing (side with
holes) immediately before sampling. Store cover
for reuse.

The sampler begins sampling immediately when cover
is removed.

Sorbent Vial

Sorbent

Vial Adapter

Clip sampler to a worker’s collar near the

breathing zone. The diff usion holes must face
outward. The front of the sampler must not be
covered by clothing or obstructed in any way
during the sampling period.

Do not cover sampler with clothing.

A er the desired sampling period, immediately

unclip sampler from worker’s clothing. Seal
sampler with cover immediately.

Seal sampler tightly with cover to stop sampling.

Write stop time on pouch and sampler label.

8A

Soda lime sorbent is very caustic. Wear gloves when
handling sampler and vial to avoid skin contact with
sorbent.

Perform this step immediately a er sampling.

In a clean environment, free of hydrogen
cyanide and hydrogen sulfi de (interferent),
carefully remove plug from vial adapter on back
of sampler housing. Immediately screw open
end of sorbent vial clockwise into adapter until
secure (see inset 8A). Rotate entire assembly until
sorbent is draining from sampler to vial. Tap
sampler lightly. Ensure all sorbent is recovered
in the vial. Unscrew vial from vial adapter on
sampler housing and immediately screw cap
onto vial.

Mark sample vial(s) as appropriate and seal

in aluminized pouch. Ensure all required
information is marked on pouch label. Package
sample(s) and one blank sorbent vial in a padded
envelope. Send to a laboratory for analysis.

Note: Report sampling site temperature and
uncorrected atmospheric pressure.

Ensure sorbent vials are capped tightly.

HCN Passive Samplers are designed for single use only. Do NOT reuse HCN samplers.

Vial Adapter

Sorbent Vial

9:30

Sorbent

5:30

Sample Storage

3 weeks at 68 F (20 C) in a clean environment in storage studies

Note: OSHA Method 1015 recommends that samples be sent to a laboratory as soon as
possible. If delay is unavoidable, store samples in a refrigerator as a precaution.

Analysis

Preparing the Sample

1. Remove sorbent vial from aluminized pouch. Mark sample identifi cation on
vial as needed. Remove cap from vial.

2. Add 3.5 ml of 18.0 MΩ-cm deionized (DI) water to vial.

3. Place vial in a mechanical rotator and rotate at approximately 40 rpm for 60
minutes.

4. Remove vial from rotator and allow 15 minutes for se ling.

5. Filter 2 ml of sample and transfer the fi ltrate to a 2-ml glass autosampler vial.
Seal with PTFE cap.

Samples are analyzed using ion chromatography with electrochemical
detector. Sampling hydrogen cyanide in the presence of hydrogen sulfi de
may also require analysis for thiocyanate. See h p://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/

methods/validated/1015/1015.pdf for analytical conditions, interferences, and
calculations.

Validation

The SKC Hydrogen Cyanide Passive Sampler has been fully validated; see OSHA
Method 1015.

Reference

Simmons, M., OSHA Method 1015, Hydrogen Cyanide, OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center, Nov. 2010,
h p://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/validated/1015/1015.pdf

Ordering

Description Cat. No.
Hydrogen Cyanide Passive Samplers* include empty sampler
housings and sealed glass vials of 600 mg soda lime sorbent, pk/5 590-400

* HCN Passive Samplers are designed for single use only. Do NOT reuse HCN samplers.

SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy

SKC products are subject to the SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, which
provides SKC’s sole liability and the buyer’s exclusive remedy. To view the com­plete SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, go to h p://www.skcinc.com/
warranty.asp.

Form # 40123 Rev 1103