Comparison of techniques for measurement of ambient levels of hydrogen peroxide.
A study measured hydrogen peroxide (H/sub 2/O/sub 2/) from three sources: (1) zero air in the presence and absence of common interferences; (2) steady-state irradiations of hydrocarbon/NOX mixtures; and (3) ambient air. The techniques employed for measuring H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ included infrared absorption from a diode laser, fluorescence from an enzymatically produced complex, and chemiluminescence from reaction with luminol. Four systems, each of which utilized one of the above techniques, were compared with respect to sensitivity, selectivity, and dynamic range in measuring H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ concentrations ranging from 0.062 to 128 ppbv. There was no indication of interferences for an H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ level of 6 ppbv except in the luminol technique, where a negative interference was caused by SO/sub 2/. Agreement among techniques was much worse for measurement of H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ produced in the photochemical mixtures. Significant concentrations of organic peroxide were measured by the enzymatic technique. During ambient monitoring, the techniques employed showed quantitative agreement.