EPA/600/R-15/115
United States
Environmental Protect
Agency
NM-VOC
Citizen Science
Operating Procedure
Office of Research and Development
National Exposure Research Laboratory
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EPA/600/R-15/115 | May 2015 | www.epa.gov/ord
CairPol CairClip NM-VOC
Citizen Science Operating Procedure
Ron Williams
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27711
Amanda Kaufman
ORISE Participant
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
Oak Ridge, TN, USA 37831
Sam Garvey
Alion Science and Technology
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
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CITIZEN SCIENCE
Contents
CairPol CairClip NM-VOC 1
What Are VOCs? 1
What You Will Need 1
I mportant Considerations 1
Preparing the Device 3
Charging the Battery 3
Installing the Software 4
Configuring the CairClip 5
Routine Data Collection 8
Collecting Data 8
Retrieving Data 9
Processing Data 10
Maintenance and Storage 11
Changing the Filter 11
Storing the CairClip 11
For Additional Help 12
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CairPol CairClip NM-VOC
The CairPol CairClip NM-VOC is a lightweight, portable sensor for measuring
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in parts per billion (ppb) in applications
such as personal exposure and indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring. It
uses a micro fan to actively sample air. The CairClip can run on battery power
for approximately 24 hours, but it can also operate continuously for much
longer periods when plugged into a power source. This operating procedure
explains what you need to do to collect quality VOC data using the CairClip
NM-VOC for your monitoring project.
What Are VOCs?
VOCs are common pollutants in both indoor and outdoor environments. They are emitted as
gases from many common household and office products including paints, floor wax, cleaning
supplies, cosmetics, pesticides, building materials, home furnishings, copiers and printers,
permanent markers, and glues and adhesives. Automotive fuels are also made up of organic
chemicals, increasing VOC concentrations near roadways and urban areas. All of these
products and sources can release organic compounds during use and sometimes during
storage. VOCs are toxic air pollutants which contribute to ozone formation and associated
environmental and climate effects. Some are toxic air pollutants that cause cancer and
contribute to other serious short- and long-term health problems.
What You Will Need
CairClip NM-VOC air sensor
USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable (mini-USB to standard USB)
One 100-240 V/5 V 0.8-1.0 A AC adapter
One EU (European Union)/US (United States) electricity converter
One red dongle ('switch') - stops the fan and maintains the device in standby mode
One green dongle ('plug') - plugs the port to prevent clogging when operated on battery
power
Two filters (CairPol patented, approximately 15 mm in diameter)
CairSoft software (version 4.1 or later) - see "Installing the Software"
A sensor case - for portable applications (optional)
Computer running the Windows 7 operating system at a minimum
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Software (2003 or later)
Important Considerations
*> The CairClip is delivered already calibrated and does not need recalibration for 1 year as
long as the sensor maintains certain operating conditions. Abrupt changes in
environmental conditions, particularly temperature and relative humidity (RH), can affect
sensor performance. Refer to the NM-VOC data sheet for details (Figure 1).
1
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AIR
Figure 1
POL
MINIATLJRC AIR QUALITY MONITORING SYSTEMS
P062C.OZ.Technical Data Sheet NM-VOC.160812
Technical Data
(dm
Sheet CairClip NM-VOC
il prone to modifications)
Range
Species detected
Detector
Calibration gas
Gas sampling
Limit of detection (ll)
Repeatability at zero (2- s>
Repeatability at 80% of range p J)
Linearity <2 "
Uncertainty
Short term zero drift m
Short term span drift ^
Long term /ero drift (2'
Long tenn span drift ^
Rise time (Tl 0-90) p>
Fall time (T 10-90) P>
Hmnidity response P' ^
Humidity effect <: ''
Tcniperauire effect on sensitivity t: !>
'I'eniperatnre effect on zero <- J>
hiterfereiits
Maximum exposure
Annual exposure limit
Operating conditions
Recommended temperature and humidity storage
Power supply
Standard charge
Capacity (USB)
Communication interface
Dimensions
Weight
Protection
Waterproof
Electrical certification
Parameters Set up / Downloading
0-16 ppm ^ (isobutylene) (0-15.3 ppm analog)
ionization potential < 10.6 eV
pro
Isobutylene
Dynamic air sampling using micro-fan to maintain
constant airflow to the sensor
1 0 ppb ( isobutylene)
± 1 0 ppb (isobutylene)
± 15% (isobutylene)
< 10%
<30%"-4'
< 0.5% / 24H
< 0.5% / 24H
< 15% /month
< 15% /month
<60s
<60s
< 0.2 ppm (8) 90% RH
< - 0.5% of the signal / RH %
<1%/°C
< 1 .5 ppb / °C
Heavy compounds, silicone. NHj. H;S
20 ppm
40000 ppm (1 hour average) or 6000 hours
- 20°C to 40°C / 0 to 90% RH (non-condensing),
1013 mbari 200 mbar
5°C to 20°C / 10 to 90% RH (non-condensing)
5 VDC / 200 inA (rechargeable by USB via PC
or 220 V-l 10 V with adapter)
•1 hours
4 hours (batters' fully charged)
USB, UART
Analog (UART & 4-20 mA / 0-5 V converter)
Diameter: 32mm - Length: 62mm
55g
IP42 (according IEC60529)
No
(tjjj) Conform to UL Sid. 61010-1 r f
bins Certified to CSA Std. C22.2 N°. 61010-1 » *
40B9M
CairSoft
' Exposure to more than 16 ppm may affect the sensor irrtn'ersibly ; the product warranty does not apply in this case.
' Pure atr at 20 °C, 0% RH. 1013 mbar
1 Value possibly affected if the de\ice is not regularly fully recharged: USB: each 4 hours, incorporated in a Catrtub: each 10 days (continuous monitoring)
4 On the oasis of recommendations of the Directive 1008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of?l May 100S on ambient air quality and cleaner air
for Europe for and its enlargement to other gases
Any use of the sensor not complying wuh the conditions specified in herein, including exposures, even short ones .to environments other than ambient air. to dry and /
01 di-\irnl of oxvpen an or othi-t almosphfic nol composed in infinity of all even duiinu callbiation will invalidate thr wanantv
Main options
CairTub: autonomy 10 days
CairNet: wireless communication & battery powered by solar panel
Software: CairSoft. CairMap, CairWeb
Office: CAIRPOI.
7-AC du Capra
55, avenue Emile Antoine
J0340 Mejannes les Ales - France
SARL an capital de 354 200€ - N° Siren : 492 976 253
Tel: +33 (0)4 66 83 37 56
Fax: +33 (0)4 66 61 82 53
info(S caijpol.com
Web site: \vww.caiipol.com
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If the CairClip is regularly exposed to dust, change the removable filter on the back of
the device every 4 months (see Maintenance section). Change the filter more often if the
sensor is exposed to large amounts of dust.
Do not allow the device to remain in standby mode (battery almost depleted) and/or to
discharge itself completely. Insert the red dongle for long-term storage to prevent
depletion of the battery.
The internal clock time can be set using the CairSoft software. However, the time
stamping of data is performed using the internal clock of the computer to which data are
downloaded.
Preparing the Device
The CairClip must be powered on continuously for proper operation. In other words, either its
lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery must have sufficient charge, or it must be plugged into a power
source such as a fully-charged or plugged in computer. You must also download and install the
CairClip software and then configure your device. The following procedures will prepare your
device for data collection.
Charging the Battery
The sensor can be charged by connecting it directly to a power source or by connecting it to a
USB port of a computer, which is connected to a power source (Figure 2). It takes
approximately 4 hours to charge the device. When fully-charged, the CairClip can operate for
more than 24 hours. It is strongly recommended that the sensor battery be recharged
frequently, preferably after each 24 hours of operation. This is important, especially if the battery
is nearly depleted, which causes the unit to switch to standby mode (indicated by the warning
triangle shown in Figure 3).
Figure 3
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Installing the Software
The CairSoft software must be downloaded from the CairPol Web site and installed on a
computer as follows before taking measurements.
Procedure: Install Software
1. Go to the CairPol Web site
(www.cairpol.com') and
click the Downloading link.
2. Click 'Softwares' [1] and
then select 'Download
CairSoft V4.1 (for USB
CairSens)' [2] (or latest
version) to begin the
software download. A file
named 'Cairsoftv4.1.zip' is
created in the computer's
'Downlead's folder.
Softwares
Download Can Soft V4.1 (Tor USB CairSens)
;airpol.com/lndex,p!ip?apl!tin=com_conlent&view=artLcle&id=538diemid=152&.1.i . .
^ Home
i; About us
fi) News i ExtitortiDns / Press
fljh Contact
^E2^
- - :
• Sotnrai^ ^fi^^^
Softwares
u---. i j.i • ;:
'I
irSofiV4 1 ;•.. !.'•:.[ .'.^.•'...••i;l -^^^— 2 I
3. Use extraction software,
such as WinZip, to extract
the three files in the
'Cairsoftv4.1.zip' file.
Name
[• 'I CairsoftDriver
!• 1 framework
0 Setup_CairsoftV4.1
Type Compressed size Password ...
Application
Application
Application
1,757 KB No
2,862 KB No
2,963 KB No
Size Ratio
2,291 KB 24%
2,891 KB 1%
2,988 KB 1%
Date modified
1116.-20093:16PM
10/22/2009 7:58 AM
1/15/2014 1:20 PM
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4. Double click the
'Setup_CairsoftV4.1' file,
and click 'Run' on the
Security Warning screen
to begin the setup.
Open File - Security Wa
The publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to
run this software?
Name: ,,.wnloads\cairsoftv4,l (l)\Setup_CairsoftV4.1,exe
Publisher: Unknown Publisher
Type: Application
From: C:\Users\Sam\Downloads\cairsoftv41 (i)\Setup_,.,
EsS Always ask before opening this file
This file does not have a valid digital signature that verifies its
publisher. You should only run software from publishers you trust.
How can I decide what software to run7
5. Select the desired
language using the drop-
down menu, and click 'OK'.
Select Setup Language
Select the language to use during the
installation;
English
6. Click 'Install' to begin the
installation.
I Setup - Cairsoft
Ready to Install
Setup is now readv to begin installing Cairsoft on your computer.
Click Install to continue with the installation, or dick Back if you want to review or
change any settings.
Additional tasks:
Additional icons:
Create a desktop icon
Configuring the CairClip
Once you have downloaded and installed the CairSoft V4.1 software, you must configure your
device for collecting data. The following options are available for customizing the CairSoft
software:
<* Assign a device name
*> Set the date and time (can be used to set the device's internal clock, but time of data
collection is recorded using the clock of the computer (where data are downloaded)
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*J* Set the data logging time interval
*t* Modify the screen (display)
*J* Modify how data are retrieved and saved (see "Routine Data Collection")
These settings should, if desired, be customized before acquiring data. Note that the CairClip is
manufactured in France, so options on the software screens are in both French and English or,
in some instances, just French.
Procedure: Configure Software
1.
2.
3.
4.
Connect the CairClip NM-VOC to the computer using the USB
cable as shown above in Figure 2.
Start the CairSoft software by clicking the CairSoft icon
(Figure 4) that was created on the desktop during software
installation. The login screen shown in Figure 5 will then
display for a few seconds.
Modify any of the parameters by clicking the buttons on the
main CairSoft screen shown in Figure 6.
On each parameter modification screen shown on the
following pages, click ^'/ to accept your changes or ^
to cancel and close that screen.
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Name
Date and Time
Wednesday, Apt 08.2015 Q-
Zone de changement dheure US ,$> EU 08 57 59
Has AH/PH
•*• AM
B PM
Set Data Logging c Calrsoft:SetdatalQgg|ng
Intervalle de mesure / Time interval measuring device
a 1 mil
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Screen
Screen Time
'.; • Heure + Affichage de la pollution au-de!a de100^/m3
Time + A/erf display beyond 5&pb
Graphic
(used for retrieving
and saving data)
]*u •
— •
DCiMl
»»
»W
1
XI
1
,
60 ,
I "°"
i30-
S 20 -
ID
1400 2000 0200 0900 1400
Tm
es
li=
Routine Data Collection
The CairClip should be sheltered from rain when deployed outdoors.
While orientation has no effect on data, make sure the active air-sampling
inlet (fan) is not blocked and avoid any obstructions to the exit of air
through the lateral hole (Figure 7). If operating on battery power, the green
dongle should be inserted to keep the mini USB/dongle port from clogging.
It is also recommended that the sensor not be touched at all immediately
prior to and during measurements.
Lateral
Figure
Collecting Data
Data are collected continuously from the moment the CairClip is on (plugged in or battery
charged). The device can log and store 1 data point every minute for 20 days (28,800 data
points) or 1 data point every 15 minutes for 300 days (108,000 data points) before previously
recorded data are overwritten. Make sure you have selected the desired data-logging interval,
as described above in "Configuring the CairClip." The CairClip automatically saves data in a
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file.
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Retrieving Data
To avoid losing data, it is recommended that data be exported every 3 days at a minimum
during data collection. Use the procedure below to retrieve the data using the CairSoft software.
Procedure: Retrieve Data
1. Connect the CairClip sensor to the computer using the USB cable.
2. Click the CairSoft icon to launch the software. The login screen then displays for a few
seconds, as described in the section "Configuring the CairClip."
3. Click the Graphic button (see Figure 6).
4. Choose the time period for the data you want to retrieve from the drop-down menu ([1] in
Figure 8), and confirm your selection by pressing the green Check button [2]. Options
for time periods are 1, 3, 6, and 20 days (jours).
5. Double click the Excel logo [3] below the graph display area in Figure 8, and save the
file in the desired location. Be sure to include the date in the file name for easy
identification.
Irilorvnlln do mesure /
Time interval measuring device
1 mm
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Processing Data
The CairClip automatically saves its data in a
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file in a two-column
format with date/time in one column and
measured total VOC concentration in parts per
billion (ppb) in the other, as shown in Figure 9.
The CairClip, however, uses a time stamp
format that will need to be modified. As shown
in Figure 9, the hours and minutes in the time
stamp contain "h" for hour, which needs to be
replaced with a colon. The following procedure
will guide you through modifying the time stamp.
Microsoft Excel 2013 is used to illustrate this
procedure, but the process is similar in versions
of Excel back to 2003.
PAGE LAYOUT
FORMULAS
onncttions
ft From Web gPwpntw
_ From Other existing Roftsh
\J3 From Ted Source- Connections All- UEdrUmks
bti External Data
Connection:
<
A A & >:
1 Numero apparel Mage CDVOI06130QC2
Time
11/17/2013 2K44PM
11/17/2013 7K45PM
11/17/2013 2H46PM
U/i7/M13IM7PM
11/17/2013 2h48 PM
11/17/2013 2M9PM
11/17/2013 2h50PM
11/17/2013 2h5I PM
voc wg/m3 Level (ppb)
0
0
0
Figure 9
Procedure: Format Data
1.
2.
Click on the A in the column index to
highlight all of column A.
Hold down the Ctrl key and press the
F key to open up the Find and Replace
window (Figure 11).
3. In the Find and Replace window, click
the Replace tab.
4. Enter "h" in the Find what: field.
5. Enter ":" (colon) in the Replace with:
field, and then click Replace All.
g
HOME
From Access
1_@ From Web
HI From Text Sources- Connections
Get External Data
INSERT
&
From Other
PAGE LAYOUT
0 r
Existing
FORMULAS
onnections
£J Properties
Refresh
All *
Connections
Time
Numero appareillage CDV0106130002
11/17/2013 14:44
11/17/2013 14:45
11/17/2013 14:46
11/17/201314:47
11/17/2013 14:48
11/17/2013 14:49
11/17/2013 14:50
11/17/2013 14:51
VOC ng/m3 Level (ppb)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Figure 10
Find and Replace
Find
Find what h
Replace wrtrt :
Figure 11
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Maintenance and Storage
Changing the Filter
If the CairClip is regularly exposed to dust, the
manufacturer recommends changing the removable
filter every 4 months. The filter comes premounted in
its holder and is removed and replaced from the back
of the device as a single unit (Figure 12).
Procedure: Change Filter
1.
2.
3.
Insert the red dongle (provided with the
sensor) into the CairClip, as shown in
Figure 13. The dongle prevents the small
fan inside the device from turning.
Remove the filter/filter holder assembly
from the back of the CairClip by gently
pulling the filter holder with your fingers.
Place a new filter/filter holder assembly
into the opening and gently press until it is
secure.
4. After changing the filter, remove the red
dongle and reconnect the mini USB cable.
Front view
showing filter
Back view
of holder
T
Figure 13
Storing the CairClip
It is recommended that the red dongle is connected to the unit to maximize storage time.
Connecting the red dongle stops the sensor's fan, which reduces the CairClip's power
consumption, decreases its frequency of recharging, and consequently increases its storage
time up to 150 days (battery fully-charged). It is strongly recommended that data be downloaded
before extended periods of storage.
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For Additional Help
CairClip User Manual, CairSoft Software, and Sensor Datasheets. P058C.MLLCairClip user
manual.160512, CairPol, Mejannes les Ales, France, www.cairpol.com.
CairPol CairClip NM-VOC data sheet, http://www.cairpol.com/images/pdf/COVNM/
technical%20datasheet%20nmvoc%2015072013.pdf, last accessed May 13, 2015.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs), http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html, last accessed May 13, 2015.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, What Are the Six Common Air Pollutants?,
http://www.epa.gov/airguality/urbanair/, last accessed May 13, 2015.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA's Air Sensor Toolbox for Citizen Scientists,
http://www.epa.gov/heasd/airsensortoolbox/, last accessed May 13, 2015.
The purpose of this document is to provide general operating guidelines, and
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not assume any liability
regarding any aspect of its use. Reference herein to any specific commercial
products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or
otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
recommendation, or favoring by EPA. The views and opinions of authors
expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of EPA and shall not
be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. EPA assumes no
liability associated with any errors in the suggested procedures, errors
potentially made by the instrument in question, user misuse of the instruments
or data collected, or costs due to any damage the instrument might experience
under any circumstance or use. This user guide is specific to the make/model
and version number of the instrument identified in the document and is not
generalizable to any other sensor. The users should understand that they
should develop operating guidelines specific to their own research needs, and
any general document of this nature would be limited in meeting their full need.
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£EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
PRESORTED STANDARD
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA
PERMIT NO. G-35
Office of Research and Development (8101R)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
Recycled/Recyclable Printed on paper that contains a minimum of
50% postconsumer fiber content processed chlorine free
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