Chemiluminescence detectors making use of a specific reaction with an air pollutant of interest can lead to quantitation at very low concentrations in the atmosphere. Probably the best known of these detectors is the nitrogen oxide analyzer or NOx box. This instrument makes use of the reaction of NO with ozone, which produces electronically excited nitrogen dioxide. Other such instruments are used for the measurement of ozone with ethylene and the detection of reduced sulfur gases by ozone chemiluminescence. The use of luminol to detect oxidative species such as hydrogen peroxide, nitrogen dioxide, and peroxyacetyl nitrate has received considerable attention. The methods have also been applied successfully to the determination of reactive monoterpenes, isoprene, and olefins. A brief overview will be given of the history of some of these instruments and their development and application.

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Atmospheric Chemistry Program, under contract W-31-109-Eng-38.