Components of the air

It is well known that living beings need to breathe oxygen into their bodies and release carbon dioxide, but the air we breathe contains only oxygen gas. The composition of air consists of many gases.

1.Nitrogen (N₂) is a colorless, odorless gas that is not flammable and cannot start a fire. It is also an element in all living things. In the air, the proportion of nitrogen gas is about 78.084%, which is the highest proportion in the air.

2.Oxygen (O₂) is a colorless, odorless, non-flammable gas that supports fire combustion. It is necessary for the survival of living organisms in the air and, at 20.948, has the second highest proportion of oxygen after nitrogen gas.

3.Argon (Ar) is an inert gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-flammable. It is used as a filling gas in light bulbs. To ensure that the filament lasts longer in the air, the proportion of argon is around 0.934%.

4.Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a colorless, odorless, and non-flammable gas. If inhaled in large quantities, it may cause irritation to the nose or respiratory tract. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is approximately 0.031%.

5.Neon (Ne) is an inert, colorless, and odorless gas used in advertising lamps to produce an orange-red light. The neon content in the air is around 0.002%.

The other gases are gases that occur in very small quantities in the air, such as helium, xenon, and krypton, which belong to the noble gases: methane, hydrogen, ozone, iodine, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, water vapor, dust, plant pollen, and various bacteria. In addition, some toxic gasses can be released by industrial plants and become air pollutants, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

The instrument for air analysis

The ALS can analyze the number of organic components in the air using the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS).

This is an analytical technique that can be used to determine the type and number of substances of interest in a sample. The properties of the substance or sample to be analyzed with this technique must have the ability to evaporate easily, as it is a technique for separating mixtures in the gaseous state based on the differences in the solubility properties and adsorption capabilities of the individual substances on the mobile phase and the stationary phase.

Air sampling for the examination

Steps for inspecting the sampling point.

The sampling officer inspects the location and area where the sample will be taken. If it is found to be a location where a sample has never been taken before or that the area where the sample is taken is significantly different from the previous ones, the sampler must visit the sampling site before taking the sample to prepare the necessary equipment for sampling and note this on the form. If it is determined that the sampling area is not safe for sampling, the sampler shall notify the safety officer to make improvements and corrections.

Equipment preparation steps.

The sampling officer shall prepare the equipment for air sampling for volatile organic compound analysis at least one day in advance.

Steps to prepare the site and select the area for air sampling.

-The location of air storage is a clean room. Air collection in a cleanroom is divided into 3 stages.

             -A cleanroom that has just been completed

             -A cleanroom that has already been put into operation.

             -A cleanroom that has been put into operation and where problems have been identified in the work area.

-The air storage area is a general work area and is located outside the building.