1/2" x 5-1/2" Polyurethane Foam (PUF) Collection Substrate for Passive Air Samplers SKU: TE-1014

The TE-1014 polyurethane foam (PUF) collection substrate serves as the essential sampling medium for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in ambient air using Tisch Environmental passive air sampling systems. This unwashed PUF disk captures both gaseous and particle-bound compounds through its uniformly porous structure, making it an effective collection medium for semi-volatile organic compounds including PAHs, pesticides, and other environmental contaminants.

Technical Design

The TE-1014 features a uniformly porous structure that allows gaseous chemicals to penetrate while trapping particulate matter within the foam matrix. The porous nature of PUF helps to ensure that particles are entrained in the PUF matrix once deposited and therefore are less susceptible to resuspension in air. This design principle enables reliable collection of target compounds over extended deployment periods without active pumping.

Key Specifications

• Diameter: 5.5 inches (140 mm)
• Thickness: 0.50 inches (12.7 mm)
• Material: Unwashed polyurethane foam
• Porous structure optimized for vapor and particulate collection

Compatibility

The TE-1014 PUF disk is specifically designed for use with Tisch Environmental passive air sampling systems:

• TE-200-PAS: Outdoor passive air sampler with stainless steel chambers housing PUF disks horizontally
• TE-300-PAS: Indoor passive air sampler for controlled environment monitoring
• TE-PAS-DD: Passive dry deposition sampler targeting compounds that deposit from air to surfaces

Applications & EPA Methods

This PUF substrate supports collection methods compliant with EPA IP-7, TO-4A and TO-13A for ambient air monitoring of toxic organic compounds. An active sampling method based on PUF or PUF-resin cartridges became standard for many SVOCs in ambient air and has been adapted for passive sampling applications. Common target compounds include:

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs)
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Deployment & Handling

The unwashed PUF substrate requires proper pre-cleaning before deployment. Before use, each PUF is pre-cleaned via Soxhlet extraction using dichloromethane, dried in a vacuum desiccator, and stored in multiple layers of aluminum foil inside airtight bags. Before use, and after the measurements prior to analysis, the samplers are stored in a freezer (-20°C). Passive deployment periods typically range from 1-8 weeks depending on target compounds and environmental conditions.

Quality Assurance

PUF passive sampling demonstrates excellent precision and reliability. Good precision is realized for all duplicates of both the gaseous (precision: <10%) and particle bound (precision: 10-30%) PAHs. The substrate's proven performance across diverse environmental conditions makes it suitable for both routine monitoring and research applications requiring accurate measurement of airborne contaminants.