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32-point Automation-based CO monitoring system--application details
NOTE:    This application was cited in the last section of another Knowledge Base article , and is also referred to here . A large, enclosed, arena-like...
Last Modified: 2009-06-11 Number of views: 2444
A rebuttal to the ChemDAQ vs. Interscan table from ChemDAQ's website
ChemDAQ, a manufacturer of ethylene oxide (EtO) monitoring systems, has posted a pdf of a comparison matrix on its website, pitting their systems against ours. Fair...
Last Modified: 2009-05-26 Number of views: 3530
Accuracy
Definitions "Accuracy" as defined in the ANSI/ISA—51.1—1979 (R1993) standard Process Instrumentation Terminology is: [T]he degree of conformity of an...
Last Modified: 2006-09-20 Number of views: 7738
Alcohol and Electrochemical Sensors
For any gas to be detectable by an electrochemical sensor, it must first be "electroactive." As defined by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry...
Last Modified: 2008-12-11 Number of views: 6522
An early study found hydrogen peroxide emissions in sterile processing departments
Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 or simply "peroxide") has long been the subject of regulatory agency interest. The current allowable 8-hour time weighted average of...
Last Modified: 2009-07-18 Number of views: 831
Are there any documents available that provide a frame work or guidance on when a gas detection system should be installed?
It should be noted that long before OSHA, and long before direct-reading instruments were available, people were doing toxic gas detection to protect their employees;...
Last Modified: 2007-07-21 Number of views: 2964
Best practices for certain ethylene oxide cylinder operations
This article is based on a request from Frank Denny, Director of the Office of Occupational Safety and Health of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs....
Last Modified: 2007-07-08 Number of views: 3743
Calibration Basics
Introduction It is quite unlikely that you will ever use an absolute method for gas detection. Rather, you will employ any one of dozens of "relative"...
Last Modified: 2008-01-09 Number of views: 8190
Can a carbon monoxide detector double as a propane gas sniffer?
Thanks for your question.  The answer depends on what you mean by "double," and even on how we define "detector." Usually, "detector" means the sensing element...
Last Modified: 2006-12-20 Number of views: 3421
Can the detector be calibrated at one concentration to cover the entire range? Since the response is linear, I think the answer is yes. Please confirm. Thanks.
The answer to your question is YES. You are correct in noting that the response of our instruments is linear. More than that, electrochemical voltametric sensors...
Last Modified: 2008-12-11 Number of views: 2717
Complying with 40 CFR Part 63 subpart WWWWW--National Emission Standards for Hospital Ethylene Oxide Sterilizers
Background In the continuing regulatory assault on ethylene oxide, more rules now apply. Fortunately, these latest statutes are not at all difficult to comply...
Last Modified: 2009-05-06 Number of views: 3501
Continuous Monitoring vs. Stream-Switching Monitoring
First, let's define the terms: "Continuous" monitoring means that each sampling point is being monitored all the time, and in most cases, the concentration...
Last Modified: 2005-08-12 Number of views: 5485
Correction for Atmospheric Pressure on Gas Detection Instruments
When a gas concentration is measured or reported, we may talk in terms of ppm, but in reality we are measuring the partial pressure of the gas. (Refer to Dalton's Law...
Last Modified: 2009-10-26 Number of views: 3899
Data Logging and Data Acquisition in Gas Detection
Virtually every industrial facility has some kind of gas detection in place: Millions of portable units are in service, and at least a million points of continuous gas...
Last Modified: 2007-10-05 Number of views: 5676
Detector Tubes And When To Use Them
A detector tube is a graduated glass tube filled with a chemical reagent that will produce a color change, when exposed to the gas in question. It is used with a hand...
Last Modified: 2007-03-07 Number of views: 3409
Determining the Dew Point of a Gas Sample
"Dew Point" is defined as the temperature to which a given volume of air must be cooled at constant pressure and constant water vapor content in order for saturation to...
Last Modified: 2007-02-01 Number of views: 7541
EtO Instrumentation Calibration and Surrogate Calibration Techniques
Written in response to a particular inquiry, this article is posted since it is of general interest. Calibration is a very important issue. One of Interscan's...
Last Modified: 2009-05-26 Number of views: 5683
EtO monitoring systems versus badges
Badges are integrating rather than real-time devices, yielding an accumulated value—often incorrectly interpreted as an "average"—calculated over...
Last Modified: 2008-12-11 Number of views: 4164
Hazardous Locations
Background Gas detection instruments must often be used or installed in areas considered to be "hazardous locations." Generically, all sorts of hazards...
Last Modified: 2008-02-20 Number of views: 3929
I have seen two numbers relating response of Cl2 in a ClO2 detector. One is 3.1 to 1 and the other is 10 to 4, both in favor of ClO2. What is the relative response of the Interscan ClO2 detector and can Cl2 be used to spot calibrate it?
As you may know, surrogate gas calibration for chlorine dioxide is recommended because it is extremely difficult to generate a stable source of ClO 2 , especially for...
Last Modified: 2007-09-21 Number of views: 2616
In Search of Zero
As discussed in the Calibration Basics Knowledge Base article, Interscan's gas analyzers, and virtually all other direct-reading gas analyzers are not absolute methods....
Last Modified: 2006-12-08 Number of views: 4337
Is it necessary to monitor for hydrogen peroxide in a hospital sterile processing department (SPD) area under "emergency" conditions?
There are two classic aspects of toxic gas detection— a)   Monitoring normal employee exposure, to determine if regulatory levels have been...
Last Modified: 2009-05-26 Number of views: 1264
Is It Necessary To Monitor Ozone Around An Ozone Sterilizer?
With the advent, in 2005, of a practical ozone-based sterilizer by TSO 3 , Inc. (Model 125L), and its subsequent installation into sterile processing facilities,...
Last Modified: 2008-12-11 Number of views: 2339
Is there a diference between gas detector and gas monitor? If so what is the difference? How do we know that a piece of equipment is a monitor and not a detector?
In many cases, the terms "gas detector" and "gas monitor" are used interchangeably, and this can lead to confusion. When the word "detector" is mentioned in the...
Last Modified: 2007-05-20 Number of views: 3020
Is there a OSHA/DOT or any guideline/regulation that tells me how many ammonia detectors are required in ammonia storage/vaporizer and unloading area?
While guidelines may exist that mandate monitoring of an area for any number of toxic compounds, no official government recommendations are made as to the detailed design...
Last Modified: 2007-05-13 Number of views: 2864
Minimum Detectability
"Minimum Detectability" is one of those instrumentation terms that is used frequently, but is seldom defined. Indeed, even though you will encounter this term on many...
Last Modified: 2006-09-20 Number of views: 6010
Monitoring hydrogen peroxide in sterile processing departments
For some time, ChemDAQ has been touting its capability of monitoring hydrogen peroxide, in addition to its original EtO product line. As you may be aware, Interscan...
Last Modified: 2009-05-26 Number of views: 7583
More on Expressing Gas Concentrations
This is a follow-up to our earlier article on Using Common Sense and Science in Expressing Gas Concentrations , inspired by a real-life adventure of one of our sales...
Last Modified: 2008-12-11 Number of views: 3448
New requirements for EtO usage
EPA and FIFRA While most matters regarding occupational exposure to toxic compounds—in the United States—fall under the purview of the Occupational...
Last Modified: 2010-03-14 Number of views: 31
Our commentary on OSHA's Small Business Guide for Ethylene Oxide
On 30 April 2009, OSHA released a comprehensive document entitled "Small Business Guide for Ethylene Oxide." This new publication is available as a spiffy pdf...
Last Modified: 2009-07-31 Number of views: 1499
Predominant EtO Monitoring Methods Used By Hospitals
Gas detection methods have been changing and evolving and awareness has heightened as well, along with the ever changing methods of sterilization. To answer your question...
Last Modified: 2008-12-11 Number of views: 4565
Pushing The Limits Of Hydrazine Detection At NASA
Ever since Interscan developed a portable hydrazine analyzer for Brooks Air Force Base, way back in the late 1970's, our instruments have been widely deployed in all...
Last Modified: 2008-12-11 Number of views: 5871
Response time, lag time, and when it matters
Interscan provides detailed sensor response data in our Tech Center . Rise time to 90% of final value, rise time to 50% of final value, and fall time to 10% of...
Last Modified: 2005-04-19 Number of views: 5243
Surrogate Calibration
The term "surrogate calibration" refers to a practice in instrument calibration whereby a standard different from the entity to be measured is utilized....
Last Modified: 2008-07-30 Number of views: 2739
The Fallacy Of "No Safe Level"
In the wake of the FEMA trailers and the recalled toys from China—to say nothing of the hype surrounding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008...
Last Modified: 2009-02-02 Number of views: 1183
Understanding Danger
The dictionary defines "danger" as "the state of being exposed to harm : liability to injury, pain, or loss." Typically, gas detection is deployed in...
Last Modified: 2009-05-27 Number of views: 4057
Using Common Sense and Science in Expressing Gas Concentrations
Go directly to conversion spreadsheets Early on, in our first chemistry classes, we learn about solutions, and different ways of expressing their concentrations....
Last Modified: 2007-09-25 Number of views: 8877
Using Interscan Analyzers For Method 21 Studies
EPA's Method 21 , entitled "Determination Of Volatile Organic Compound Leaks," calls for a portable instrument to be used for this purpose, and details certain...
Last Modified: 2005-08-11 Number of views: 3926
Using Interscan analyzers in tainted Chinese drywall inspection and remediation
Following the active hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005, there was an upsurge in home construction. Demand for drywall exceeded the domestic supply, and a certain amount...
Last Modified: 2009-10-28 Number of views: 463
Using smart gas detection to comply with GSA's indoor air quality standards
As landlord for the civilian federal government, the Public Buildings Service—a principal division of the General Services Administration (GSA)—owns and...
Last Modified: 2009-06-16 Number of views: 1264
What are the calibration techniques available for quantifying a gas? Suggest a few methods for quantifying ammonia in particular.
See our article entitled " Calibration Basics ."  For ammonia, we would recommend permeation tubes.
Last Modified: 2008-12-11 Number of views: 1265
What international codes/standards specify the limiting allowable concentration of flammable, combustible, and toxic gases in indoor and outdoor industrial areas
Most codes and standards—at least regarding allowable concentrations of various substances—are promulgated by domestic jurisdictions, whether at the...
Last Modified: 2007-04-25 Number of views: 3212
What's a Better Methodology for a Toxic Gas Detection System—Sample Draw or Remote Diffusion?
Definitions A sample draw system uses a pump to draw sample back into the instrument, where it enters the sensor for analysis, and is then exhausted to the...
Last Modified: 2007-04-18 Number of views: 5005
When I'm buying a toxic gas detection instrument or system, why do I need applications engineering?
Very simply, since no two toxic gas detection applications are the same. We admit that this concept has been obscured under the quite false rubric that "All gas...
Last Modified: 2008-12-12 Number of views: 1287
When is a part-per-billion (ppb) NOT a part-per-billion (ppb)?
As if it weren't bad enough that clueless environmental authorities try to impose their ignorance on the field by using so-called "metric" units of gas concentration,...
Last Modified: 2006-04-10 Number of views: 3732
Where should I set the alarms on my toxic gas monitoring system?
Note: All exposure limits cited in this article are current as of 31 December 2006   Ultimately, the...
Last Modified: 2009-05-18 Number of views: 7387
Why does Interscan offer a 0-50 ppm measuring range for ethylene oxide?
Sometimes, we are asked about the 0-50 ppm measuring range offered on our ethylene oxide (EtO) instruments. After all, a founding principle for direct-reading...
Last Modified: 2009-09-21 Number of views: 803


Best Practices (20)
A how-to clinic on gas detection apps, based on real-world experience
       


Most Viewed Articles
Using Common Sense and Science in Expressing Gas Concentrations
Go directly to conversion spreadsheets Early on, in our first chemistry classes, we learn about solutions, and different ways of expressing their concentrations....
Calibration Basics
Introduction It is quite unlikely that you will ever use an absolute method for gas detection. Rather, you will employ any one of dozens of "relative"...
Accuracy
Definitions "Accuracy" as defined in the ANSI/ISA—51.1—1979 (R1993) standard Process Instrumentation Terminology is: [T]he degree of conformity of an...
Monitoring hydrogen peroxide in sterile processing departments
For some time, ChemDAQ has been touting its capability of monitoring hydrogen peroxide, in addition to its original EtO product line. As you may be aware, Interscan...
Determining the Dew Point of a Gas Sample
"Dew Point" is defined as the temperature to which a given volume of air must be cooled at constant pressure and constant water vapor content in order for saturation to...
Where should I set the alarms on my toxic gas monitoring system?
Note: All exposure limits cited in this article are current as of 31 December 2006   Ultimately, the...
Alcohol and Electrochemical Sensors
For any gas to be detectable by an electrochemical sensor, it must first be "electroactive." As defined by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry...
Minimum Detectability
"Minimum Detectability" is one of those instrumentation terms that is used frequently, but is seldom defined. Indeed, even though you will encounter this term on many...
Pushing The Limits Of Hydrazine Detection At NASA
Ever since Interscan developed a portable hydrazine analyzer for Brooks Air Force Base, way back in the late 1970's, our instruments have been widely deployed in all...
EtO Instrumentation Calibration and Surrogate Calibration Techniques
Written in response to a particular inquiry, this article is posted since it is of general interest. Calibration is a very important issue. One of Interscan's...
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