Whole air sampling is typically done with canisters or Tedlar bags to take a "snapshot" of an entire air sample and test for chemicals that may be present. Grab sampling is a form of whole air sampling. Whole air samplers test for gases and are often used to sample volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

What is whole air sampling?

• Whole air samplers measure gas phase chemicals
• Whole air samplers typically test for 40-100 different chemicals
• Whole air samples are often used as a diagnostic tool to narrow down what you are looking for

How is whole air sampling different from sorbent tube sampling?

When would you need a whole air sample?

• Identifying an unknown smell: You smell something noxious and want to do a test
• Risk assessment and hazard mitigation: You're concerned there's something bad in the air
• Narrowing the scope: You're not sure what you're looking for and want to test for a wide range
• Ambient air monitoring: You want to take a baseline air sample for a given area

References and further reading

Eurofins Guide to Air Sampling: Canisters and Bags (2014). Website. Retrieved from https://www.eurofinsus.com/media/161448/guide-to-air-sampling-analysis-2014-06-27_revised-logos.pdf. SKC Ltd Step by Step Guide: An Introduction to Air Sampling (2019). Website. Retrieved from https://www.skcltd.com/images/pdfs/224-G1.pdf. Restek Technical Guide: A Guide to Whole Air Canister Sampling (2010). Website. Retrieved from https://www.restek.com/pdfs/EVTG1073A.pdf

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Image credit USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency