The use of cyclohexane as new solvent for airborne pollen sampling

Almost all the aerobiological networks used the non-volatile silicone fluid as a capture medium adhesive on the Melinex tape of Hirst-type volumetric samplers. This adhesive was prepared with carbon tetrachloride, considered as a carcinogenic agent. Since that, there is a spreading interest to find an alternative solvent for continuing the aerobiological sampling. In this study, we examined the impaction efficiency of the cyclohexane and carbon tetrachloride solvent, widely used in aerobiological studies. The results revealed that there is no significant difference between the two solvents and that cyclohexane can be used as a new solvent of the adhesive substance for airborne pollen sampling.