Review of the application of diffusive samplers in the European Union for themonitoring of nitrogen dioxide in ambient air

A number of diffusive samplers that are used for longer-term monitoring of nitrogen dioxide in the European Union were subjected to a review of their use and performance characteristics. The information collected was used to evaluate the capacity of diffusive samplers for monitoring the European Union annual limit value of 40 ?g.m-3. A bibliographic review was carried out to determine the availability of validation data for these samplers, their capacity to meet the data quality objectives for indicative and/or fixed measurements of the European Directive, the possibility for users to analyse the samplers and their current use throughout the European Union for measuring ambient air quality. Two tubes-type samplers and a radial sampler were found to be used throughout the European Union. Based on the findings of the review, only for tube-type samplers based on the application of triethanolamine as the sorbent, sufficient information was available to underpin the potential of these samplers for meeting the European Union data quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide monitoring.