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Badge and tube samplers for diacetyl & 2,3-pentanedione with PPB-level quantification for enforcement of NIOSH REL
Diffusive badge detects as low as 2 PPB over 8-hour TWA using industry industry-standard SKC badge. Trusted by leaders in sterilization, medical device, and pharma
Diacetyl, the popular butter flavoring used in the food and beverage industry has been found to cause the devastating lung disease Bronchiolitis Obliterans (popcorn lung), a form of obstructive lung disease that results in the loss of lung capacity. Our offering was motivated by a recent NISOH report that describes the studies that lead to new lower RELs: 5 ppb for
diacetyl for an 8 h workday and 25 ppb for 15 min.
Diacetyl is only one of a series of 1,2-dione containing substances that are
used as food flavorings, mixtures of which give foods characteristic smells. For example, 2,3-pentanedione is found in alarming concentrations during the grinding of roasted coffee beans, and should likely be controlled in coffee roasteries and coffee shops. It’s interesting that these substances smell like butter alone, but when mixed in different proportions can take on entirely different smells. For example, we have generated the smell of yogurt here in the
lab using a mixture of diacetyl, acetoin, and 3,4-hexanedione.
Please see our blog for a mini-study of dione exposure during coffee grinding at a local grocery store.
Ethylene oxide (ETO) is a powerful sterilizing agent that poses significant health risks when not properly controlled. Exposure to ETO can lead to serious health issues, including respiratory problems, headaches, and even long-term effects like cancer or reproductive damage. This makes it crucial for workplaces to regularly monitor ETO levels to protect employees and ensure compliance with safety regulations. By measuring ethylene oxide, businesses can safeguard their workers' health, reduce liability, and maintain a more compliant work environment. Keep in mind that ETO has a very high odor threshold (>200 PPM), 100’s of times higher than the safe limit, making measurement of ETO essential for all medial facilities.
