Abstract

No general, rapid technique exists for the analysis of toxic gases in the workplace and several days often elapse between sampling and analysis. The few direct-reading monitors which exist have a number of operational weaknesses. A collaborative research effort was undertaken by the IRSST, l’Université Laval, and the l’Institut national d’optique (National Optical Institute), in order to remedy this deficiency.

The second phase of this project is now completed, and development of a portable, automated detection system, to be used mainly in the pulp and paper industry, is in progress.

The applicability and precision of this CO2-laser analytical technique were measured in field trials conducted by the IRSST. Validation was based on a comparison of results from this new technique and those obtained using the conventional gas chromatography technique. Although interferences were noted when measuring sulphur-based compounds, the technique may prove useful for the evaluation of other gases, such as formaldehyde.