SKC OSHA Organic Vapor and Particulate Sampler (OVS) Tubes

Overview

The SKC OSHA Organic Vapor and Particulate Sampler (OVS) Tubes are engineered for simultaneous, integrated collection of airborne vapors and aerosols in occupational hygiene and environmental monitoring applications. Based on the principle of co-located sorptive capture and physical filtration within a single, calibrated glass sampling tube, the OVS design eliminates the need for serial sampling configurations—reducing sampling error, field complexity, and analytical variability. Each tube integrates a front-end particulate filter (glass fiber, quartz, PTFE, or foam) with a dual-section adsorbent bed housed in borosilicate glass. This architecture ensures quantitative retention of both non-volatile particulates (e.g., pesticide dusts, metal oxides) and volatile/semi-volatile organic compounds (e.g., TNT, DNT, glycol ethers, organophosphates, phthalates) under standardized flow conditions (1 L/min). The tubes are manufactured using rigorously cleaned, low-outgassing materials to minimize blank interference—critical for trace-level analysis by gas chromatography (GC) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All OVS tubes conform to the dimensional specifications required by OSHA and NIOSH method validation protocols (e.g., OSHA Methods 62, 63, 67, 70, 74; NIOSH Methods 5600, 5601, 5602, 5523), and support full chain-of-custody documentation under GLP-compliant laboratory workflows.

Key Features

• Single-tube dual-phase collection: Simultaneous capture of aerosols (via front filter) and vapors (via segmented adsorbent bed)
• Borosilicate glass construction: Chemically inert, thermally stable, and compatible with thermal desorption and solvent elution
• Validated adsorbent combinations: Including XAD-2 (270/140 mg), XAD-7 (200/100 mg), Tenax TA®, and silica gel (520/260 mg), selected per target analyte volatility and polarity
• Low-background manufacturing: All tubes undergo solvent-rinse validation and are packaged in inert, foil-laminated pouches with desiccant
• Standardized geometry: 138 mm length × 7.5 mm outer diameter; open-ended design for direct connection to sampling pumps or calibration adapters
• Traceable lot certification: Each batch includes certificate of analysis (CoA) with blank data, recovery studies, and shelf-life validation

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

OVS tubes are validated for use in accordance with OSHA ID-121, ID-125, ID-142, and NIOSH 5600-series methods for pesticides, explosives, plasticizers, biocides, and glycols. They meet ASTM D6196-22 requirements for sorbent tube selection in workplace air monitoring and are compatible with ISO 16000-6:2011 (indoor air VOC sampling). The tubes support regulatory compliance in GMP and GLP environments: adsorbent lots are traceable, storage conditions (refrigeration or freezing) are defined per analyte stability profiles, and all components comply with USP and FDA 21 CFR Part 11–ready data management when paired with SKC’s AirCheck® 3000 or Touch pumps. Filter media options (G/F/Q/T) are selected based on particle size cutoff, chemical resistance, and compatibility with subsequent gravimetric or ICP-MS analysis.

Software & Data Management

While OVS tubes themselves are passive sampling media, their integration into compliant workflows relies on interoperability with SKC’s digital ecosystem. When used with SKC AirCheck® series pumps equipped with internal datalogging, sample metadata—including flow rate, duration, temperature, pressure, and pump calibration history—is automatically timestamped and exportable as CSV or PDF reports. These records satisfy audit requirements for OSHA 1910.1200 (HCS), EPA Method TO-17, and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. For laboratories performing GC-FID, GC-MS, or HPLC-UV analysis, SKC provides method-specific SOP templates aligned with NIST-traceable reference standards and spike-recovery validation protocols. All OVS-related documentation—including CoAs, stability data, and method cross-references—is accessible via SKC’s secure customer portal with role-based access control.

Applications

OVS tubes are routinely deployed in industrial hygiene surveys across chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, agriculture, munitions handling, and polymer processing facilities. Specific use cases include: monitoring organophosphate pesticide exposure during formulation and application; quantifying TNT/DNT vapors in ordnance disposal operations; assessing glycol ether exposure in paint and coating manufacturing; evaluating airborne phthalate esters near PVC extrusion lines; and measuring biocide residues (e.g., Kathon® CG) in water treatment and HVAC maintenance. Their dual-phase capability also supports research applications in exposure science, where concurrent vapor-particulate partitioning data informs inhalation dose modeling per ICRP Publication 66 and ACGIH® TLV® documentation.

FAQ

What is the recommended sampling flow rate for OVS tubes?
The standard flow rate is 1.0 L/min, validated across all OSHA and NIOSH methods listed in the product matrix. Flow deviations >±10% require revalidation per ISO 16000-6 Annex B.
How should OVS tubes be stored prior to use?
Unopened tubes must be refrigerated (2–8 °C) or frozen (–20 °C) depending on adsorbent type; shelf life ranges from 6 to 24 months—refer to the lot-specific expiration date printed on the pouch.
Can OVS tubes be thermally desorbed?
Yes—XAD-2 and Tenax-based configurations are compatible with automated thermal desorption (ATD) systems meeting ASTM D6196 criteria; silica gel and XAD-7 configurations require solvent elution.
Are OVS tubes suitable for ISO 17025-accredited laboratories?
Yes—provided the full sampling-to-analysis workflow (including pump calibration, tube lot traceability, blank correction, and recovery verification) is documented per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 7.7.
What accessories are required for personal sampling?
The SKC OVS Tube Holder (Part #224-29V) provides a calibrated breathing-zone mount with protective cap and neck clamp; the OVS Adapter Kit (Part #224-31) enables flow calibration directly at the tube inlet.