Our online guide to regulated analytical methods references NIOSH, OSHA and ASTM methods. These organizations focus on the workplace and worker safety in developing their procedures. OSHA regulates exposure of over 100 air and fluid contaminants that can be monitored and sampled by membrane filtration.
In Europe, European Union Directives are published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). For example, the Asbestos International Association has published a comprehensive method in the OJEU for determination of asbestos in environmental and occupational settings. This method recommends monitoring asbestos through an Merck 25 mm all-conductive carbon-filled polypropylene cassette with cowl.
Click to visit Online Guide to Regulated Analytical Methods
Air and Gas Particle Monitoring |
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In this section of the AD030 Learning Center, you can find technical information on regulated methods for air and gas particle monitoring. Workplace particle monitoring of air and gases serves multiple purposes:
- Modern industrial processes, such as those involving gyroscopic, mechanical, servo, and electronic systems, are extremely sensitive to dust particles.
- Particle contamination can have a damaging effect on the downstream performance of highly sensitive products.
- Heightened awareness of worker safety has led to increased monitoring of human exposure to certain particles in the work environment.
For industrial particle monitoring of air and gas, we provide:
- Filters specified in the corresponding regulated methods
- Two or three piece 37 mm monitoring cassette for sampling work areas
- 25 mm monitoring cassette with or without a cowl for personal sampling
- Regulations
- Sampling and Filtration
- Air monitoring equipment
- Methods for air sampling in work environments
- Gas line monitoring
- Cleanroom garments monitoring
Regulations
In the U.S., the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulates environmental exposure while OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulates exposure in the workplace. NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) develops the test methods in association with OSHA, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. When the EPA adopts a NIOSH standard method, it is referenced in the U.S. Federal Register.Sampling and Filtration
In air monitoring and sampling procedures, air is drawn by vacuum through a 37 mm two- or three-piece cassette preloaded with the specified filter and support. In order to calculate the particles per unit volume of air, follow the steps:- Calculate total volume of air pumped (in liters):
where L = liters (of air), t = unit of time and
T = total sampling time (in units “t”).
- Measure the number of particles on the filter (P) by weight or direct counting, and complete the following equation:
P / V = particles per liter of air