Performance parameters for assessing the acceptability of aerosol sampling equipment

Abstract

The European standardization organization (CEN) has been asked by the General Commission of the European Community to prepare standards for chemical agents in workplace atmospheres. The CEN Technical Committee 137 ‘Assessment of Workplace Exposure’ has divided its work into working groups. Its main area of work is concentrated on sampling strategy; general performance requirements; sampling conventions for particulate matter; and performance requirements for gas and vapour sampling instruments, aerosol samplers, and personal sampling pumps. This paper presents the test procedure the CEN working group on particulate matter has proposed that shows how to evaluate the performance of aerosol samplers. The draft requirements on personal sampling pumps for dust sampling are also presented. The draft test procedure for aerosol samplers will be tested and evaluated in a pan-European test of samplers for inhalable dust, which is presented below (the study is ongoing).