Optical fiber analyzer for in situ determination of nitrous oxide in workplace environments

An analytical method based on optical fiber (OF) detection has been developed for monitoring nitrous oxide (N(2)O) in workplace environments. The analyzer was firstly tested for calibration and then its analytical performance for N(2)O detection compared with solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, an already validated method for determination of N(2)O. The response of the OF analyzer was linear from 0.20 to 1.80 ppb, and the detection limit was less than 0.03 ppb. After some laboratory tests, the developed analytical system was applied to air monitoring at a confined industrial environment showing a suitable compact design and a high analytical performance for N(2)O monitoring, both in situ and in a real-time mode.