Definition

Passive air sampling is a method for collecting airborne pollutants or contaminants without the use of an active pumping or suction system. In this approach, specially designed samplers or passive sampling devices are exposed to ambient air, allowing pollutants to be naturally adsorbed, absorbed, or collected on or within the sampler over a specified period. Passive samplers typically rely on diffusion or other natural processes to facilitate the movement of air and the transfer of target compounds into the sampler. After a predetermined exposure period, the samplers are retrieved, and the collected substances are extracted and analyzed to determine pollutant concentrations.