Air Sampling

This article serves two purposes.

First, it will provide descriptions of the more straightforward air sampling concepts and procedures.

Second, if an air sampling method involves more details such that it needs its own article, this page will act as a hub for those additional methods.

One thing to remember: A large amount of this information came from, and can be found in, the OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) Section II Chapter 1. Certain sections of the OTM were updated in at least 2014, including this chapter on air sampling.

Charcoal Tubes

From https://www.skcinc.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=567

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  Charcoal Tube Diagram
  Just before sampling, use a scorer/breaker tool to uniformly break the ends of the sorbent tube to a 2 mm diameter or half the diameter of the tube body.
• Keep the tube in a vertical position during sampling to prevent the possibility of channeling that can lead to under-sampling.
• The arrow on the tube indicates air flow direction and should point to the tube holder and pump. If no arrow is present, the smallest section should be near the tube holder.

Impinger

Video demonstrating setup and usage.

Isocyanates

Enter Isocyanate sampling methods and info about solvent stability.

Mold Sampling

Method

Time	2 Hours
Media	MCEF in 37.5mm cassette
Flow Rate	2 L/min
Tubing	Use a short length of tubing — just long enough to be able to flex and point down.

• The intake on the cassette always needs to be facing down so that other, heavier particles will not land on the filter.
• One pump is used outside and one pump is used inside.

Notes

• When results come back with a significantly higher fungus count (CFU/m³) for the inside as opposed to the outside count, a letter is sent to the company contact detailing the findings, the hazards, and remediation. (A template is saved in Documents.)
  • The letter is printed out and submitted in the report under the IB tab.
  • The digital original is sent to your supervisor so that it can be passed on to Jenifer for updating the date and for review by the Program Manager.
• Click here ???? for a more in-depth discussion of spores vs. CFU.

Respirable Dust – Cyclone

Media	PVC

• Media: PVC 1.7 L/min
• Using the Cyclone eliminates all particles but respirable particles.
• Using anything BUT the Cyclone will give you Total Dust.

SafeLog

• Use Form OSHA-93 Direct Reading Report.

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) has an IDLH of 1200 ppm.
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has an IDLH of 20 ppm.

• Make sure to set sampling parameters as follows:

	CAL LVL	HI LVL	STEL	TWA	Comments
CO	50	200	Your discretion	50
NO₂	25 ?	5	1	Your choice

† NIOSH recommended values

‡ OSHA PELs

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Screening

• When screening for substances with a direct read device (such as the Drager or a SafeLog), results are recorded on an OSHA-93 "Direct Reading Report" form, which details each location screened and results.
• Additionally, an OSHA-98 "Screening Report" form should be completed for all screened substances.