Personal Samplers

1. Personal Samplers Instructional Goal The participants will see the various methods used to collect personal samples and how that may impact them on the job.

2. Personal Sampling Systems • Active samplers • Passive samplers

3. Sampling Techniques • integrated samples are collected • when the sensitivity of an analytical method requires minimum sample periods or volumes, • when comparison must be made to • an8-hour, time-weighted average threshold limit value (TLV) • an OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL).

4. Active Samplers Samplers mechanically collect samples on or into a selected medium. The medium is then analyzed in the laboratory to identify and quantify the contaminant(s) collected.

5. Active sampler system • Consists of the Following Components: • An electrically powered pump to move the contaminated air. • A sampler consisting of an appropriate sampling medium and a container designed for that medium. • Flexible, nonporous, inert tubing to link the sampler to the pump.

6. Passive Samplers • Advantages of passive samplers • is their simplicity • calibration and maintenance are reduced or eliminated • Disadvantage • If direct read, errors may occur in observer interpretations.

7. Diffusion Samplers • some can be read directly • example, colorimetric length-of-stain tubes • Others require laboratory analysis

8. Permeation Samplers • can identify a single contaminant within a mixture of airborne contaminants. • uses selective permeation of chemicals through a membrane • some are the direct reading type • others require laboratory analysis.

9. Personal Sampler Examples Radiation Dosimeters

10. Thermoluminescent Dosimeter • The TLD (Thermoluminescent Dosimeter) badges provide a permanent record of an individual's dose equivalent of beta, gamma, and x-ray radiation.

11. Direct-Reading Dosimeters • are pencil-type devices that allow personnel to read and evaluate their exposures between TLD readings. • the Chirpy, which is a device that emits "chirps" based on the strength of the radiation field

12. The Digital Dosimeter • a battery-powered direct-reading instrument with a digital read-out in mR

13. Personal Sampling Plan • must decide what to sample • workers move around on the work area • workers perform a variety of tasks • must design efficient data tracking system DIFFICULTIES

14. PELs Exceeded Personal Monitoring is required and the following guidelines may be used. • Sample workers who are known to be in the most highly exposed locations. • If the most hazardous locations have not been determined, sample all workers for a week. • Group workers by exposure levels. • Sample some members of each group every week.