Based in Switzerland, we are currently active in 50 countries across the world. With environmental concerns rising faster and faster, our services are needed throughout the world, both in order to assess the situation in different nations as well as to make sure that we can take the corrective steps to ensure a better future.
We are an accredited testing laboratory for air quality of ambient, indoor and workplace atmospheres based in Switzerland. For more than 20 years, we provide excellent solutions to monitor air pollutants by passive samplers for various pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide, ozone, particulate matter and many more.
Our service comprises both the production of diffusive samplers as well as conducting the analysis with the help of spectrophotometry, gas and ion chromatography in accordance with the standard ISO/IEC 17025. This ensures that we can provide analytical data that is reliable, amenable to statistical evaluation, technically sound and defensible.
Besides that, we place emphasis on:
passam ag was founded as an ETH spin-off by Dr. Markus Hangartner and Andrea Hangartner. We operate as an independent company located in Männedorf, Switzerland.
Below are the links to our passive samplers for various air pollutants:
Please note that we also provide samplers and analysis for polar and non-polar VOCs, HCl and HF upon request:
Ammonia NH3 is a colorless, penetrating smelling corrosive pollutant. The main sources of NH3 are natural processes as decay of organic matter or from excreta. Man made sources are the use of fertilizers, waste disposal or industrial processes. Besides the unpleasant odor, high concentration of Ammonia is severely harming the vegetation.
The passive Ammonia sampler collects gaseous ammonia by absorption on phosphoric acid. The amount of NH3 is determined spectrophotometrically by the indophenol method. The samplers are composed of a polypropylene housing with an opening of 20 mm in diameter. To exclude wind and weather disturbances, a glass fiber membrane supported by a wire net is attached and set up in a protective shelter.
Ammonia passive sampler and its application using its especially designed protective shelter.
Time series of a comparison of a continuous NH3 analyser and diffusion tube of ammonia and its specifications (04.01.2016).
Benzene (BTX) is a colorless and highly flammable liquid characterized by a distinctive smell mainly emitted by vehicles and other combusting processes. Benzene quickly reacts with other chemical in the air and is removed within a few days of release. Inhalation of extremely high levels of benzene as well as long time exposure to lower benzene concentration can cause sever health damages. The amounts of benzene released naturally are insignificant in comparison by those emitted by human’s activity.
The passive sampler to quantify benzene is composed of ORSA5 diffusion tubes compromising a glass sampling tube open at both ends filled with activated charcoal. Each opening is filled with a cellulose acetate diffusion barrier. This set up allows ambient air to diffuse into the sampling tube in a controlled manner. BTX are absorbed on the activated charcoal and desorbed by carbon disulphide. Analyzation is done by gas chromatography.
Sketch, illustration and the benzene sampler application using the optimized protective shelter.
Comparison of ORSA diffusion tube with active measurement in North-Rhein Westfalia and specifications of the sampler (04.01.2016).
Dispersion models are an important tool in air quality management as they combine topographic data, emissions – and meteorological data. However, their quality heavily depends on the availability and reliability of the above mentioned input parameters. For sites where those input parameters are not precise enough, diffusive sampler allow assessing the spatial distribution of the air pollution in a convenient and cost effective manner. Due to their independency from power sources, their small size and light weight, their operation in all challenging weather conditions and their easy handling without the need of extensive training, passive sampler prove to be the ideal device for the calibration and quality improvement of complex dispersion models of all kinds.
The passive sampler devices are based on the diffusion of molecules onto an absorbent surface. The driving force is the concentration gradient between the surrounding air and the absorbing surface, where the concentration is kept to zero.
The example below shows the tuning of a point source model (Gaussian plume model IMMPROG) around a power station concerning sulfuric dioxide:
Left: illustration of the modelling results without any tuning.
Middle: the graph shows the correlation after the adaptation of the windfield to the actucal topography.
Right: the graph shows the coincidences after skipping the sites which where not included by the impact sphere of the plant.
Carbon monoxide is a temporary pollutant especially in urban areas and cities. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic if exceeding a certain concentration. Large CO pollution events can be observed over cities, mainly caused through combustion engines and fuels.
The passive samplers to measure Carbon monoxide is based on the principle of the diffusion of CO molecules onto the absorbing medium Palladium chloride. The formed metallic Palladium can then photometrically be determined by a specific reaction. The samplers are composed of a polypropylene housing with an opening of 20 mm in diameter. To exclude wind and weather disturbances, a glass fiber supported by a wire net is attached and set up in a protective shelter.
Based on good practice, one or two weeks of exposure allow a precise pollution estimate, if the eight hours limit value is exceeded.
Sketch and illustration of the CO passive sampler and its application.
Laboratory validation of CO sampler and its specifications. The uptake rate is linear at least up to 20 mg/m3 for an exposure time of two weeks and specifications of the sampler (04.01.2016).
passam ag
Schellenstrasse 44
CH-8708 Mannedorf Zurich
SWITZERLAND
phone: +41 44 920 46 44
fax: +41 44 920 24 97
passam@passam.ch
The information on this web site is taken from sources believed to be reliable and the information is believed to be accurate at the time it is posted on this web site. However, the information is provided “as is” without any express or implied warranty of any kind. passam ag and its suppliers do not warranty the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information and reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice. passam ag and its suppliers cannot be held liable under any circumstance for any damages whatsoever, including without limitation, damages for loss of profit, business interruption, loss of information and data, arising out of the use of or inability to use this web site and the information it contains, even if passam ag has been made aware of the possibility of such damages.
passam ag owns and retains the copyrights to the materials found on this site. Unless otherwise authorized by passam ag, no one is allowed to reproduce in whole or in part, in any form, any information found on this web site.
The links to third-party sites are provided as a convenience to you only and do not imply an endorsement by passam ag of any such linked site. passam ag cannot be held responsible for information and materials found on sites controlled or operated outside of its domain, including any assurance of the accuracy of such information.
passam ag respects the privacy of any visitors to www.passam.ch and does not share any personal information with third-parties.
Several instruction manuals are availale to download in English and German. French, Italian and Spanish will be available soon
Nitrogen dioxide
EN long-term DE langfristig
Ozone/ Nitrite
Particulate Matter PM10
EN
NOx
EN
Passive samplers are an effective tool in the air environment to determine time-weighted averages of concentration levels of dissolved air pollutants. Passive samplers prove to be optimal devices for the measurement of long term and cumulative concentrations in remote and inaccessible areas eliminating errors caused by short-term variations in concentrations.
The aim of this reference study conducted by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape research WSL was to examine long term ozone concentration in relation to the onset and development of visible foliar injury on numerous forests, shrub and herb species in southern Switzerland. Amongst others, the main aims of the studies were
LEFT: typical damage on plant leaves. – RIGHT: forestial monitoring site in action
Where can the specifications of each sampler be found?
All specifications are available upon request. Please contact us directly. Soon they will be also available in the download section.
How long till delivery?
We are able to ship around 2 weeks after placement of order.
What is the custom tarif number?
The HS code for our passive samplers is 3926.9000
From where is the Certificate of Origin?
All our products and services are of Swiss preferenential origin.
Are further information sheets available?
Upon request, the following information sheets can be provided:
LANUV membranes
We strongly reccmmend to use LANUV membranes at highly wind- and or traffic exposed monitoring sites. Further information is available upon request.
The evaluation and observation of air quality trends in air pollution is crucial to understand the effectiveness and efficiency of air protection measures, to quantify emission factors, to determine standards and to support decision makers in their actions. Due to their reliability, cost effectiveness and power free and light weight installation passive samplers are an important and cost effective tool to identify and follow such air pollution trends.
LEFT: NO2 pollution decrease in the city of Aarau in Switzerland over a 9 year period.
RIGHT: NO2 pollution decrease in the city of Baden, located in a mountain valley. Therefore, stable weather patterns as well as traffic impacts are dominating the pollution levels.
Spatial data analysis by the means of geographic maps is a usefull tool to better understand the studied and measured phenomena. We use different geographic visualization techniques to reveal spatial releationships between hot spots and monitoring stations, to allow classifications including thresholds, classify zones or to help communicate a specific situation. The density of the sampling sites significantly influences the quality and reliability of such spatial analysis.
Benzene hot spot mapping for different time periodes in the city of Hanoi, Vietnam. Further informatiom can be provided upon request.
Hydrogen Sulfides are eventually toxic pollutants in industrial and urban areas mainly emitted by geothermal or biogenic sources. The gas is colorless and characterized by a foul odor. Large hydrogen sulfide concentrations are found close by petroleum refineries, coke ovens, paper mills, tanneries or sewerages.
The passive sampler to measure Hydrogen Sulfides is based on the principle of the diffusion of H2S molecules onto the Cadmium Sulphate absorbent. The attached glass fiber membrane supported by a wire net is eliminating weathering effects.
H2S sampler and its recommended application using its protective shelter.
passam ag
Schellenstrasse 44
CH-8708 Männedorf (Zürich)
Switzerland
Email: passam@passam.ch
Phone: +41 44 920 46 44
Nitrogen dioxide is a nasty smelling important air pollutant in urban areas and cities. It contributes to the formation of smog and can severely impact human health if exceeding a certain concentration. Major sources of nitrogen dioxide are the burning of fossil fuels, motor vehicle exhaust, petrol and metal refining, electricity generation and other manufacturing industries.
The passive samplers to measure nitrogen dioxide are based on the principle of the NO2 diffusion onto the absorbent triethanolamine. The collected NO2 is then determined spectrophotometrically by the well-established Saltzmann method. Being designed for running without power supply, the samplers are optimized to operate in challenging environments.
The passive sampler to measure long term nitrogen dioxide consist of a polypropylene tube and is placed in a special shelter to protect it from meteorological disturbances of all kinds.
Passive sampler and its especially designed protection schelter.
The passive sampler to measure short term nitrogen dioxide consists of a polypropylene housing with a specific opening of 20 mm in diameter. A glass fiber membrane is attached and supported by a wire net in order to eliminate all kinds of meteorological disturbances.
Passive sampler for the short term measurements.
The absorbing medium for the passive NOx sampler contains an oxidant which transforms the NOx molecules into NO2. NOx is expressed as NO2 equivalents. The measurement of NOx is carried with two different samplers: firstly, it is assessed with Triethanolamin and secondly, it is trapped after transforming with an oxidizing agent in the TEA.
The NOx samplers are placed in a designed protective shelter and equipped with membranes to measure near spots with high traffic.
NOx passive sampler.
Specifications: Left: long term Middle: short term Right: NOx (01.01.2016).
Ozone is a colorless and odorless gas. It is the main component of smog and the most widespread air pollutant. Ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is formed by reactions in the presence of sunlight and heat. Ozone can easily be transported and therefore its health endangering occurrence is not bound to its specific sources.
The diffusive sampler is based on the diffusion of ozone along a tube to an absorbing medium. The chemisorption of ozone takes place by reaction with Sodium nitrite. In the presence of ozone, the nitrite ion are oxidized to nitrate ions [1]: NO2 – + O3 NO3 – + O2 The passive samplers are constructed with a polypropylene housing with an opening of 20 mm in diameter. To reduce wind disturbance a membrane is attached, supported by a wire net. At the closed end there is a glass fibre filter dipped in a solution of sodiumnitrite in acetic acid. The amount of nitrate is determined by ion hromatography.
Passive sampler for the air pollutant ozone/ nitrite and its protective schelter.
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) or particulates are complex microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the atmosphere. Such particulates can have severe impacts on climate and precipitation that adversely affect human health.
The Sigma-2 passive sampler for the collection of particulates between 2.5 and 80 µm in diameter is based on the principle of sedimentation. The particulates are fixed on an adhesive plate and subsequently subjected to microscopic image analysis. The results of this specific analysis shows the distribution of the grain sizes. Together with the number of counted particles, the PM10 value is calculated. Further information can be found here.
In comparion to traditional measuring methods, the usage of the Sigma-2 passive sampler has three major advantages:
Sigma-2 passive sampler and the characterization of the measured particulates in order to allocate them to the specific source.
PM10 determined with passive sampler (calculated) vs. gravimetric measurement of PM10 at two different sites and specifications of the Sigma-2 passive sampler (04.01.2016).
Sulfur dioxide is noticeable component in the atmosphere as well as a major air pollutant. Exceeding a certain concentration, the gas has a significant impact upon human health, the habitat suitability for plants as well as for animal life. Emissions of sulfur dioxide is a precursor to acid rain and atmospheric particulates.
The passive sampler is based on the principle of diffusion of sulfur dioxide molecules onto the absorbent made out of potassium carbonate and glycerin. The quantification is done by ion-chromatography. The samplers are composed of a polypropylene housing with an opening of 20 mm in diameter. To exclude wind and weather disturbances, a glass fiber membrane supported by a wire net is attached and set up in a especially designed protective suspension device.
Sketch of the passive sampler and its schmematic installation in the especially designed protective shelter.
Comparison of SO2 diffusion tube with a continuous monitor and the specifications of the passive sampler (04.01.2016).