This method is intended for the passive sampling of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in ambient air and soil gas - using Waterloo membrane samplers (WMS’). This method is a guide on the installation process for WMS’ and does not purport to address all of the aspects of site assessment such as implementation of sampling pattern, sampling density/frequency, data interpretation, modelling, outside influences or technical issues.

1. WATERLOO MEMBRANE
SAMPLER (WMS)
INSTALLATION METHODOLOGY
SCOPE
This method is intended for the passive sampling of Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs) in ambient air and soil gas - using Waterloo membrane samplers (WMS’).
This method is a guide on the installation process for WMS’ and does not purport to
address all of the aspects of site assessment such as implementation of sampling
pattern, sampling density/frequency, data interpretation, modelling, outside influences
or technical issues.
PRINCIPLE
VOC’s in a gaseous phase move across a permeable membrane and sorb to absorbent
medium within a glass vial. The membrane is made of poly-dimethyl siloxane (PDMS)
which has known permeability values for a range of compounds. The movement
of VOC’s across the PDMS membrane is controlled by the molecular mass of the
individual organic compounds and the surface area of the membrane which is available
for the VOC diffusion.
REFERENCES
a. ASTM D7758-11 Passive Soil Gas Sampling in the Vadose Zone for Source
Identification, Spatial Variability Assessment, Monitoring, and Vapour Intrusion
Evaluations, 2011.
b. ASTM D5314 – 92), Standard Guide for Soil Gas Monitoring in the Vadose Zone,
(Revised 2001.
c. Calibration of Permeation Passive Samplers with Silicone Membranes Based on
Physiochemical Properties of the Analytes, Zabiegala Et al, 2003.
SAFETY
This procedure does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with
its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this procedure to establish appropriate
safety and health practices. Appropriate PPE should be worn.
EQUIPMENT
a. Hand-Auger or drill rig
b. Electric or Cordless Hammer Drill
c. Narrow bottle brush and/or Wet dry
vacuum
d. WMS media including QA/QC units
e. Plastic sleeves
f. Foam Plugs
g. Suitable diameter and length pipe
and dowel
h. Foil
i. Thin rope, cord, fishing line or string
j. Chain of custody documentation
k. Cement for re-grouting core holes
after WMS retrieval
RECORDS
The following records need to be kept for
each sampling job:
• Time/Date of WMS deployment
and the sample location ID that
correlates to the WMS ID code.
• Samplers name
• Time/date of WMS retrieval
• Weather Conditions over the
exposure period
• Required Analysis
QUALITY CONTROL
Sample locations should be sampled in duplicate at a rate of one in ten unless
otherwise specified by the client. Trip Blanks should be included with each type
of media at a rate of one in ten. Laboratory analysis is conducted on each batch
of samplers as they are received to assess for VOC’s present from manufacturing
processes or transportation.

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PROCEDURE
Prior to any excavation or penetration of the ground surface, the area must be cleared
of services by a suitably qualified services locator.
The exposure period for the WMS’s should be assessed by field screening with a PID.
For high soil gas PID readings, a shorter exposure period should be considered to avoid
saturation of the sample media.
1. Advance a borehole to the desired depth (generally a minimum of 1m) or just
below the base of a concrete slab for sub-slab installations.
2. Take a PID reading from the base of the open borehole by connecting a PID to a
1m length of Teflon tubing.
3. Record PID measurement on Chain of Custody and open the WMS from
packaging and connect to a pre-measured length of nylon cord or 2kg fishing line.
4. Lower the WMS to the desired depth within the borehole and secure at the
surface (Approximately 5cm from the base of the borehole). Document the time
and date of the installation on the Passive sampling COC (PF-AU-ENV-MIT-QU-
142-Passive Sampling COC)
5. Insert a foam plug into the base of the PVC pipe and then insert the pipe inside a
clean plastic sleeve.
6. Lower pipe with plug and plastic sleeve into the borehole to a depth just above
(10cm) the level of the WMS, use the length of dowel to poke the foam plug out of
the pipe and this will expand and push the plastic sleeve against the walls of the
borehole.
7. Cover the surface of the open borehole with aluminium foil and place a solid object
over the hole to prevent the WMS from being tampered with and to encourage
water to run away from the borehole rather than to drain into the hole. A thin ‘skin’
of concrete can also be used to prevent surface water entering the hole.
8. To retrieve the WMS’ simply take the protective cover from the surface of the
borehole and pull the plastic sleeve and plug from the borehole. Then remove the
WMS by raising to the surface with the cord or fishing line. Document the time
and date of the retrieval on the Passive sampling COC (PF-AU-ENV-MIT-QU-142-
Passive Sampling COC) and place the WMS back inside its unique coded glass
vial and ziplock bag. Transport to laboratory and indicate on the COC the required
analysis.
CONTACTS:
SGS ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY
Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Chinchilla, Mackay, Melbourne, Newcastle, Newman, Perth,
Shepparton, Sydney, Townsville, Traralgon
Phone: 1300 765 725
Email: au.enviro@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com.au