Luftprover

Luftprover, or air samples, are samples of air collected to determine the presence and concentration of substances or entities in the atmosphere. They are used in environmental monitoring, occupational hygiene, indoor air quality assessments, and public health investigations. The term is common in Nordic languages to denote such samples.

Sampling can be active, using pumps that draw air through collection media, or passive, relying on diffusion to accumulate analytes over time. Collection media include filters for particulates, sorbent tubes for VOCs and gases, and media for biological agents. Real-time sensors provide immediate readings.

Luftprover can be chemical (volatile organic compounds, ozone, nitrogen oxides), physical/particulate (PM2.5, PM10), or biological (bacteria, fungi, pollen, viruses). Biological sampling may involve culture techniques or molecular assays to identify species and concentrations. The choice of medium and duration depends on target analytes and regulatory requirements.

After collection, samples are analyzed in laboratories. Gravimetric weighing determines mass of particulates; chemical analysis uses GC-MS, HPLC, or spectrometry; biological samples may be cultured or analyzed by PCR or sequencing. Results are reported as concentration in air, e.g., micrograms per cubic meter or CFU per cubic meter, often with time-weighted averages.

Luftprover underpin exposure assessments at workplaces, compliance with ambient air quality standards, and investigations of indoor air quality in homes, schools, and hospitals. Methods follow national or international standards (for example ISO/EN guidelines) and require QA/QC procedures, calibration of pumps, and chain-of-custody for samples.

Limitations include spatial and temporal variability, sampler bias, and analyte stability. Representativeness depends on placement, duration, and meteorological conditions. Ongoing improvements aim to integrate real-time data with laboratory analysis.