Convective transport in diffusive samplers was determined by the loss
of a dilute dye solution from these samplers while held in a water bat
h. The water flow in the bath was adjusted to give the same Reynolds n
umber had the diffusive sampler been exposed to an airborne analyte at
a predetermined flow velocity. By numerical analysis, estimates were
made of the degree of interference of convection on sampler performanc
e. The results indicate an enormous difference between commercial diff
usive samplers with respect to the effect of convection on the transpo
rt of analyte into the sampler.