BLOCK 3: AIR SAMPLING - Unit 1: Types of Air Sampling (complete) Flashcards
Represents the maximum concentration of an airborne hazard that a worker may be exposed to over a defined period of time.
EXPOSURE LIMIT
Exposure limits are written by regulatory authorities, such as OSHA, to apply limits for exposure to many substances deemed hazardous to worker’s health.
Some good reasons for conducting air sampling to verify exposure limit include:
–> HEALTH THREAT CHARACTERIZATION
–> CONTROLS EVALUATION
–> COMLIANCE
–> SPECIAL PURPOSE (such as worker complaints or requests)
This involves determining concentrations of a hazard in the air and determining if they may cause acute or chronic effects for the worker’s health.
HEALTH THREAT CHARACTERIZATION
Performed to determine the need for hazard controls or to confirm that controls in place are adequately protecting workers.
CONTROLS EVALUATION
When we use sampling results to determine whether worker exposure levels are within established occupational exposure limits (OELs), we are sampling to verify _______________.
COMPLIANCE
Exposure Limits (EL) are written by regulatory authorities, such as OSHA
TRUE OR FALSE:
Workers can request an evaluation of their work center even if they only believe a process presents an uncontrolled health hazard.
TRUE
Workers have the right to know about the substances they work with and potential health effects. Even if they are unsure if a process is safe or not, they can still always request an evaluation of their work center to verify safe working conditions.
What are the 2 types of air samples we collect?
SCREENING SAMPLE and COMPLIANCE SAMPLE
Samples collected to get an initial estimate of worker exposure.
SCREENING SAMPLE
task oriented
Samples accomplished when a more accurate representation of a worker’s exposure is required.
COMPLIANCE SAMPLE
shift oriented
_______________ samples represent short periods of time, rather than an entire work shift. They should evaluate the worst-case scenario of exposure for each potential hazard to a seg.
SCREENING SAMPLES
- Short-term sampling to get a rough estimate of levels present
- Cannot be used for compliance purposes
- Task is main focus – versus 8-hour day
- Taken in less than a full shift
- If direct reading, just a snapshot in time
- Both direct and indirect methods are used
Direct: exposure determined by using a direct reading instrument (dri) (detector tubes, pid, fid)
Indirect: sample is collected using sample media and pump and is analyzed by a laboratory
While screening samples are focused on a short-term process, _______________ samples represent the entire workday.
COMPLIANCE SAMPLES
- Used to obtain a more accurate evaluation of worker exposure
- Lasts at least seven hours in an 8-hour work shift
- Used to determine if worker exposure exceeds the established limits
- Samples must be analyzed by a certified laboratory
There are two primary techniques for evaluating airborne concentrations: _______________ and _______________ sampling.
INSTANTANEOUS and INTEGRATED
What sampling technique is described below?
_______________ Sampling
- Single sample taken over a very short period. Also known as a grab sample
- Sample results are not averaged over time
- Can be used as a screening sample
- Primarily collected and/or measured using direct reading instruments
INSTANTANEOUS SAMPLING
Key Notes:
–“grab sample” or “short period - instantaneous”
–most commonly used as a screening sample
What sampling technique is described below?
_______________ Sampling
- Collects a sample of contaminants over a period of time for later analysis
- Used to determine the average concentration of 8-hours
- Must be analyzed by an American industrial hygiene association (aiha) certified lab
- Most often used for compliance
- Sometimes referred to as “indirect” or “continuous sampling”
INTEGRATED SAMPLING
Key Notes:
–average concentration
–most commonly used for compliance sampling
Integrated sampling should be accomplished over the entire period of worker exposure.
Air sampling is conducted two different ways: _______________ (worker) sampling and _______________ sampling.
PERSONAL ; AREA
A sample that is collected as close to the worker’s breathing zone as possible; the purpose of which is to measure the actual exposure for the worker sampled.
PERSONAL SAMPLE (breathing zone sample)
The collection of airborne gases and vapors at a rate controlled by a physical process such as diffusion through a static air layer or permeation through a membrane without the active movement of air through sample media.
PASSIVE SAMPLING
