RI 9696 

REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS/2014 

Guidelines for Performing a 

Helmet-CAM Respirable 

Dust Survey and Conducting

Subsequent Analysis with the

Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposures 

(EVADE) Software 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
Report of Investigations 9696 

Guidelines for Performing a Helmet-CAM Respirable Dust Survey and 

Conducting Subsequent Analysis with the Enhanced Video Analysis 

of Dust Exposures (EVADE) Software 

W. Randolph Reed, August J. Kwitowski, William J. Helfrich, Andrew B. Cecala, and 

Gerald J. Joy

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

Office of Mine Safety and Health Research 

Pittsburgh, PA • Spokane, WA

July 2014
This document is in the public domain and may be freely 

copied or reprinted.

Disclaimer 

Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In addition, citations to Web sites external to NIOSH 

do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their programs or 

products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these Web sites. All Web 

addresses referenced in this document were accessible as of the publication date. 

Ordering Information 

To receive documents or more information about occupational safety and health topics,

contact NIOSH: 

Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636)

TTY: 1–888–232–6348 

CDC INFO: www.cdc.gov/info

or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh. 

For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to NIOSH eNews by visiting 

www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews. 

Suggested Citation 

NIOSH [2014]. Guidelines for Performing a Helmet-CAM Respirable Dust Survey and 

Conducting Subsequent Analysis with the Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposures 

(EVADE) Software. By Reed WR, Kwitowski AJ, Helfrich WJ, Cecala AB, and Joy GJ. 

Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) 

Publication No. 2014-133, RI 9696. 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014–133 

July 2014 

Cover photos by NIOSH.
Software Disclaimer of Liability Clause

The Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposures (EVADE) software was developed by 

researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). It is provided 

“as is” without warranty of any kind, including express or implied warranties of merchantability 

or fitness for a particular purpose. By acceptance and use of this software, which is conveyed to 

the user without consideration by NIOSH, the user expressly waives any and all claims for 

damage and/or suits for personal injury or property damage resulting from any direct, indirect, 

incidental, special or consequential damages for loss of profits, revenue, data or property use, 

incurred by the user or any third party, whether in an action in contract or tort, arising from 

access to, or use of, this software in whole or in part. 

Any questions concerning this product can be directed to the Office of Mine Safety and Health 

Research (OMSHR) via email at OMSHR@cdc.gov. 

System Requirements

To run the EVADE program effectively, your computer should meet the following system

requirements:

Operating system Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7

Hardware Minimum Recommended

Processor 1 gigahertz (GHz) processor 2 gigahertz (GHz) processor 

or higher

Disk space 1.0 gigabyte (GB) available 

disk space

4.0 gigabyte (GB) available 

disk space

Memory 512 MB of RAM 1.0 GB of RAM

Screen resolution 800 x 600 1024 x 768 or higher
Contents 

Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 1 

Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 2 

Sampling Equipment ............................................................................................................... 3 

Sampling Procedure ................................................................................................................ 5 

Respirable Dust Sampling ...................................................................................................... 6 

Video camera setup ............................................................................................................... 9 

Dust Exposure Analysis Setup ..............................................................................................10

An Example: Conducting a New Dust Exposure Analysis ...................................................11

Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................15

References ..............................................................................................................................16

Appendix A..............................................................................................................................19

Instructions for Using the EVADE Software Version 1.0......................................................19

Installing the EVADE Software Program ...............................................................................19

Removing the EVADE Software Program..............................................................................23

Repairing the EVADE Software Program ..............................................................................23

Modifying the EVADE Software Program ..............................................................................23

Installing the Video Codec .....................................................................................................24

Overview of the EVADE Main Window ..................................................................................24

Menu Bar Commands ...........................................................................................................25

File Menu ..........................................................................................................................25

Open Command ............................................................................................................26

Possible Error Messages When Using the Open Command ..........................................28

New Project Command ..................................................................................................29

Possible Error Messages When Using the New Project Command ...............................36

Export Bookmarks Command ........................................................................................37

Exit Command ...............................................................................................................39

Bookmarks Menu ..............................................................................................................39

Add Command ..............................................................................................................40

On/Off Max Bookmarks Command ................................................................................42

Playback Menu ..................................................................................................................44

View Menu ........................................................................................................................44

Screenshot ....................................................................................................................45

Units ..............................................................................................................................47

Graph Options ...............................................................................................................47
Calibrate........................................................................................................................52

Help Menu.........................................................................................................................54

View Help ......................................................................................................................55

View Playback Details ...................................................................................................56

About.............................................................................................................................56

Menu Tabs............................................................................................................................58

Details ...............................................................................................................................58

Active Bookmarks..............................................................................................................59

Delete Bookmarks .........................................................................................................59

Active Files........................................................................................................................60

Notes.................................................................................................................................61

Icon buttons on the Notes Tab.......................................................................................62

Action Buttons.......................................................................................................................65

Open File ..........................................................................................................................65

New Project.......................................................................................................................66

Play...................................................................................................................................67

Pause................................................................................................................................68

Stop ..................................................................................................................................69

Audio On/Off .....................................................................................................................70

Zoom Bar ..............................................................................................................................70

Options Button ......................................................................................................................71

Graph Viewing Area ..............................................................................................................72

Video Display Area................................................................................................................73

Data File: EVADE’s Universal Format....................................................................................75

Editing Dust Concentration Data Files ..................................................................................76

Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................78

Program works as expected, but no video is displayed .........................................................78

Video playback works initially and then stops moving ...........................................................78
Figures

Figure 1. Thermo Scientific’s pDR-1000 sampler (left) and pDR-1500 sampler (right)................ 4

Figure 2. The V.I.O. Point-of-View video camera used in the Helmet-CAM, showing the body 

of the camera and the lens component (below the body) attached by cable............................... 5

Figure 3. Setup of sampling devices for personal sampling........................................................ 7

Figure 4. Placement of the video camera lens on the helmet. .................................................... 8

Figure 5. Typical setup of sampling and video devices in an operator's cab............................... 8

Figure 6. The EVADE main window after either the New Project or Open command under the 

File menu are selected to set up a new dust exposure analysis. ...............................................12

Figure 7. The initial installation window for EVADE. ..................................................................19

Figure 8. Window displaying NIOSH Disclaimer........................................................................20

Figure 9. Window displaying folder where EVADE will be installed. ..........................................20

Figure 10. Window displaying dialog box where you select the installation folder......................21

Figure 11. Confirm installation window......................................................................................21

Figure 12. Installation progress window. ...................................................................................21

Figure 13. Installation complete window....................................................................................22

Figure 14. The Start menu showing the location of the EVADE software, User’s Manual, 

Quick Start Guide, and EVADE Demo Video. ...........................................................................22

Figure 15. Window showing the Modify, Repair, and Remove options for EVADE. ...................23

Figure 16. The main window of the EVADE program. ...............................................................24

Figure 17. The File drop-down menu displaying available commands.......................................26

Figure 18. The Open command dialog box. ..............................................................................27

Figure 19. The EVADE main window after an existing dust exposure analysis is selected 

through the Open command......................................................................................................27

Figure 20. Data file information alert for negative values and missing values............................28

Figure 21. Data file information alert for time differential between video and dust 

concentration files. ....................................................................................................................29

Figure 22. A Video Load Error! dialog box that appears during the Open command if the 

video file is corrupt. ...................................................................................................................29

Figure 23. The Create New EVADE Project dialog box which opens when the New Project 

command is selected from the File menu..................................................................................31

Figure 24. The New Project command dialog box showing drive directories. ............................32

Figure 25. The warning message notifying the user that EVADE video playback may be 

unsatisfactory when running data files from a network drive......................................................32

Figure 26. The Select Datalog (CSV) File dialog box allowing selection of the dust 

concentration data file...............................................................................................................33

Figure 27. The (Optional) Select Bookmark (BMK) File dialog box allowing selection of a 

bookmark file. ...........................................................................................................................34
Figure 28. The Create New EVADE Project dialog box after all data file selections have 

been completed. .......................................................................................................................35

Figure 29. The Save As dialog box displayed after selecting Create Project. ............................36

Figure 30. A Video Load Error! dialog box that appears during the New Project command 

if the video file is corrupt. ..........................................................................................................37

Figure 31. The Save as dialog box for saving the exported bookmark file. This example also 

shows the active bookmarks under the Active Bookmarks tab. .................................................38

Figure 32. The Bookmarks drop-down menu (upper left) with available commands. .................40

Figure 33. The Add Bookmark dialog box. ................................................................................41

Figure 34. The “New Bookmark” added to the dust concentration graph. This bookmark is 

also shown on the Active Bookmarks tabs on the left................................................................42

Figure 35. The On/Off Max Bookmarks command selected with the Off command 

checkmarked. ...........................................................................................................................43

Figure 36. Display of the On/Off Max Bookmarks command with the On command 

checkmarked. ...........................................................................................................................43

Figure 37. The Playback drop-down menu (upper left) with available commands. ....................44

Figure 38. The View drop-down menu (upper left) with available commands. ...........................45

Figure 39. The Save As dialog box that opens when the Screenshot command is selected 

from the View menu. .................................................................................................................46

Figure 40. Microsoft Windows Picture and Fax Viewer view of jpg file created by the 

Screenshot command. ..............................................................................................................46

Figure 41. The Units submenu that opens when the Units command is selected from the 

View menu................................................................................................................................47

Figure 42. The Graph Options dialog box that opens when selected from the View menu. .......48

Figure 43. The Edit Threshold dialog box that opens when you click on the Add Threshold 

button........................................................................................................................................49

Figure 44. The Edit Threshold dialog box showing the drop-down color selection box. .............50

Figure 45. The Edit Threshold dialog box showing the drop-down advanced color 

selection box.............................................................................................................................50

Figure 46. The Edit Threshold dialog box showing the drop-down line style selection box. .......51

Figure 47. The Graph Options dialog box showing additional thresholds added to the graph....52

Figure 48. The Calibrate dialog box for entering the calibration ratio.........................................54

Figure 49. The Help drop-down menu with available commands. .............................................55

Figure 50. Display of the Help window. .....................................................................................55

Figure 51. The Active Codecs dialog box which opens when Video Playback Details is 

selected from the Help menu. ...................................................................................................56

Figure 52. The informational dialog box that opens when About is selected from the 

Help menu. ...............................................................................................................................57

Figure 53. The information that is displayed on the Details tab. ................................................58

Figure 54. The Information displayed on the Active Bookmarks tab. .........................................60
Figure 55. Information displayed on the Active Files tab. ..........................................................61

Figure 56. Example notes typed in the subwindow area below the Notes tab. ..........................61

Figure 57. Display of the Save As dialog box when the Notes tab is selected ...........................62

Figure 58. The Open dialog box that opens after clicking the Open RTF button under the 

Notes tab. .................................................................................................................................63

Figure 59. Display of the Print dialog box from the Notes tab....................................................64

Figure 60. The Open File action button (circled)........................................................................65

Figure 61. The New Project action button (circled)....................................................................66

Figure 62. The Create New EVADE Project dialog box when the New Project icon button is 

selected. ...................................................................................................................................66

Figure 63. The Play action button (circled). ...............................................................................67

Figure 64. The Pause action button (circled).............................................................................68

Figure 65. The Stop action icon button (circled). .......................................................................69

Figure 66. The Audio On/Off (or Mute) icon button (circled). .....................................................70

Figure 67. The Zoom bar and Options button (circled). .............................................................71

Figure 68. Display of the Graph Options dialog box when selecting the Options button to the 

right of the Zoom Bar. ...............................................................................................................71

Figure 69. The EVADE main window after either the New Project or Open command under 

the File menu is used to set up a new dust exposure analysis. .................................................73

Figure 70. Display showing the location of the slider bar below the video display. ....................74

Figure 71. A screenshot of a dust concentration file in EVADE’s universal format opened in 

WordPad...................................................................................................................................75

Figure 72. The dialog box that opens when EVADE’s universal file format is detected with the 

dust concentration data file. ......................................................................................................76

Figure 73. A typical pDR-1500 data file displayed in WordPad..................................................77
Tables

Table 1. Dust concentrations from Helmet-CAM study of blast crew .........................................11

Table 2. EVADE automatic and user-defined bookmarks showing times, concentrations, 

and job activities for Blaster 1 ...................................................................................................13

Table 3. Example of Exported Bookmark Data Using the Export Bookmarks Command...........39
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial

Hygienists

ANFO ammonium nitrate and fuel oil, a common blasting agent

ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange

AM-510 Sidepak Personal Aerosol Monitor AM-510 by 

TSI Incorporated

avi audio video interleave file

bmk bookmark file

CD compact disc

csv comma separated value file

Ctrl control

D50 median particle diameter

dcf dust camera file

EVADE Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposure

GB gigabyte

HD high definition

JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group

jpg JPEG file

mov File extension for QuickTime framework

MPEG Moving Picture Experts Group

mp4 MPEG-4 file

MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

# number

OMSHR Office of Mine Safety and Health Research

pDR-1000 personal Data Ram model 1000 dust monitor 

by Thermo Scientific

pDR-1500 personal Data Ram model 1500 dust monitor 

by Thermo Scientific

POV point of view

PPM parts per million

prn print file

SD secure digital

thm thumbnail or theme file

txt text file

TWA time-weighted average

wmv Windows media video
UNIT OF MEASURE ABBREVIATIONS 

ft feet

hh:mm:ss hours:minutes:seconds

L/min liters per minute

mg

mg/m3

milligram 

milligram per cubic meter 

μg

3 μg/m3

 or ug/m 

microgram 

microgram per cubic meter 

mm millimeter

% percent

Guidelines for Performing a Helmet-CAM Respirable 

Dust Survey and Conducting Subsequent Analysis 

with the Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposures 

(EVADE) Software 

W. Randolph Reed, 1

1

 Mining Engineer, Dust Control Team, Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR), NIOSH, 

Pittsburgh, PA. 

2 August J. Kwitowski,

2

 Civil Engineer (retired), Computational Research Team, OMSHR, NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA. 

William J. Helfrich, 3

3

 Computer Scientist, Computational Research Team, OMSHR, NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA. 

4 Andrew B. Cecala,

4

 Mining Engineer, Aerosol and Toxic Substances Team, OMSHR, NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA. 

5 Gerald J. Joy 

5

 Industrial Hygienist, Dust Control Team, OMSHR, NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA. 

Abstract 

This report describes the process of performing a Helmet-CAM Respirable Dust Survey and 

the Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposures (EVADE) software program, Version 1.0, that 

is designed for analyzing dust exposure in the mining environment at surface mines through the 

simultaneous use of video and real-time dust concentration data. The Helmet-CAM procedure, 

developed by researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 

for personal sampling of respirable dust, is a technique that uses a video camera worn by the 

worker to provide a visual record of the worker’s activities concurrently with data collected by a 

real-time datalogging aerosol monitor also worn by the worker. The EVADE software program 

merges the video file and dust concentration data file, allowing the user to use a computer to 

view them at the same time to identify potential dust exposure sources. This report defines the 

input file types and provides instructions for installing and operating the EVADE software. A 

step-by-step procedure is included to aid the user in conducting an analysis for identifying 

respirable dust exposure sources. 

 
2 

Introduction

The use of video in conjunction with real-time dust exposure monitoring has been employed

in the past to identify sources and routes of worker exposure to different chemical agents. The 

subsequent video analysis allows for controls to be developed to prevent the exposures from the 

newly identified sources. However, the drawback in past research was that the video and 

sampling equipment were so large such that the video analysis was only able to be conducted at a 

stationary location. Additionally, the output from the sampling was limited as it had to be 

overlayed directly onto the video film which limited the analysis of the sampling data with the 

video data [Rosen and Lundstrom 1987; Rosen and Andersson 1989; Gressel et al. 1988]. 

Advances in technology have miniaturized the video and sampling devices so that they are 

portable and can be carried by the worker with minimal inconvenience. Additionally, the video 

and sampling data are currently available in digital format and can be merged using a separate 

software program [Rosen et al. 2005] [NIOSH 1992]. However, these programs are not 

commercially available. A method to overcome the lack of availability of these programs is to 

customize commercially available software to open the video and sampling data outputs in 

separate windows on a computer [Xu and McGlothlin 2003]. Another method is to develop a 

software program which can merge the two data sources. This has been accomplished in past 

research, but this program is not publicly available [Rosen et al. 2005]. 

The Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposures (EVADE) software program was 

developed by researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 

and is used for exposure analysis of workers to respirable dust. NIOSH researchers also 

developed a sampling procedure using a real-time datalogging aerosol monitor and a portable 

video camera (Helmet-CAM) to be used at surface mine sites to monitor respirable dust 

concentrations while recording the worker’s perspective during the performance of their job. 

This procedure may be difficult to use in underground mining situations because of poor 

underground lighting conditions and because the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor and 

portable video cameras used are not typically Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) 

approved for intrinsic safety (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 30, Chapter 1, Subchapter B, 

Part 18.68). 

The results of this monitoring are a real-time dust concentration data file and a corresponding 

video file. EVADE meshes the two data files (dust concentration and video) to allow for analysis 

of sources of dust exposure of workers. This software program displays a graphical depiction of 

the dust concentrations synchronized to the video of the worker’s job activities, and allows for 

playback, fast forward and reverse, and pause. Additionally, events with elevated dust levels can 

be bookmarked in the program for more detailed review. A bookmark is a link to an individual 

dust exposure event during the respirable dust sampling time period. This software allows the 

user to conduct an analysis of the worker’s occupational activities and develop a source database 

for respirable dust exposures at surface mine operations. The results of this analysis may lead to 

the development of engineering and behavioral controls that may prevent the overexposures to 

respirable dust from their sources.
3 

Sampling Equipment

The EVADE software uses dust concentration data obtained from a respirable dust personal 

sampling survey conducted on a specific job activity performed by a worker. The equipment 

required for conducting the survey consists of a real-time datalogging aerosol monitor and a 

video camera. NIOSH’s Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) typically uses 

one of two devices for real-time dust sampling. The data output of these two devices are

compatible with EVADE; these devices are Thermo Scientific’s personal Data RamTM 1000 

(pDR-1000) and the Thermo Scientific personal Data Ram 1500 (pDR-1500)

6

6 Mention of any company or product name does not imply endorsement of that product by NIOSH.

(Figure 1). Their 

data files are compatible with the EVADE software without requiring any editing of the data 

files. Another real-time datalogging aerosol monitor commonly used by the mining industry is 

the Sidepak Personal Aerosol Monitor AM510 manufactured by TSI, Inc. (AM-510)7

.

7 Mention of any company or product name does not imply endorsement of that product by NIOSH.

The data 

output from the AM-510 is also compatible with the EVADE software. Other real-time

datalogging aerosol monitors may be available from other manufacturers. These other real-time

datalogging aerosol monitors can be used with EVADE, but currently their data output would 

require being input using EVADE’s universal format. EVADE’s universal format is a fourcolumn comma delimited file (csv) where the first column represents data point number, the 

second column represents date, the third column represents time, and the fourth column 

represents dust concentration (see the Data File: EVADE’s Universal Format section in this 

document for guidance).

The pDR-1000, pDR-1500, and AM-510 are real-time datalogging aerosol monitors which 

log dust concentrations at user-selected time intervals. The pDR-1000, pDR-1500, and AM-510 

real-time datalogging aerosol monitors record the dust concentrations to a data file that can be 

downloaded in the comma separated value (csv) format, which can be used by the EVADE 

software.

The pDR-1000 is a passive real-time datalogging aerosol monitor with sensor response 

optimized to a particle-size range with aerodynamic diameters of 0.1 μm to 10 μm. A passive 

sampler is defined as a sampler that uses ambient airflow from the surrounding environment to 

draw the surrounding air into the optical chamber to provide a dust concentration measurement. 

The pDR-1500 and AM-510 are active real-time datalogging aerosol monitors which contain an 

air pump used to draw in or collect dust samples at a specific user-defined flowrate and can be 

used with particle-size selective separators. An active sampler uses a pump to pull the 

surrounding air at a constant preset flowrate into the optical chamber to provide a dust 

concentration measurement.

Sampling with active real-time datalogging aerosol monitors is preferred due to the ability of 

these monitors to use particle-size selective separators to minimize sampling of large particles, 

resulting in precise measurement of concentrations [Willeke and Degarmo 1988; Quintana PJE et 

al. 2000; Liu LJS et al. 2002; Chakrabarti et al. 2004]. However, recently it has been found that 

passive sampling with real-time datalogging aerosol monitors provides consistent results similar 

to active sampling using real-time datalogging aerosol monitors provided that the gravimetric 

sampling is conducted in conjunction with real-time sampling [Listak et al. 2007; Thorpe and 

 
4

Walsh 2007]. Whether sampling with active or passive devices, it is recommended to conduct 

gravimetric sampling in addition to real-time sampling [Williams and Timko 1984]. Generally, 

active real-time datalogging aerosol monitors are preferred because of their ability for optional 

particle-size selection and as they may have a provision for gravimetric sampling without having 

to use an additional gravimetric sampler. 

Photos by NIOSH 

Figure 1. Thermo Scientific’s pDR-1000 sampler (left) and pDR-1500 sampler (right). 

The EVADE software uses video from the camera used in the dust exposure survey. The 

video camera that works best is one that is small enough to be attached to the worker’s hardhat. 

8

Past testing of the EVADE software has been completed using the V.I.O. Point-of-View (POV) 

8

 Mention of any company or product name does not imply endorsement of that product by NIOSH. 

video camera. This is a small compact video camera where the lens component is attached to the 

body of the video camera via a length of cable (Figure 2). This allows the camera body to be 

placed in the provided carrying case/pouch and the lens can be attached to the worker’s helmet 

which allows viewing of the work activity. Many other compact video cameras are available and 

can be used as long as the video file is compatible with EVADE. The video file that EVADE can 

read is the digital video file which has an avi filename extension. It can also read a wmv file. 

Because high-definition (HD) video is becoming more prevalent, EVADE has been modified to 

accept MPEG-4 (mp4) video files. Any video camera can be used with EVADE as long as the 

output is avi, wmv, or mp4. The EVADE software is currently not compatible with mov files. 

 
5

Photo by NIOSH 

Figure 2. The V.I.O. Point-of-View video camera used in the Helmet-CAM, showing the body of the 

camera and the lens component (below the body) attached by cable. 

It is assumed that the user is familiar with the video recording and dust sampling instruments 

being used during the respirable dust personal sampling procedure, called a Helmet-CAM survey. 

The user should refer to each device’s operating manual to properly set up the device for sampling. 

Sampling Procedure 

The data collection using the Helmet-CAM consists of a combination of respirable dust 

personal sampling and a video recording performed simultaneously while the worker performs 

their regular duties. The data can then be analyzed to determine the sources of respirable dust 

exposure to the workers who are engaged in different job occupations. 

Using the pDR-1500 for respirable dust sampling allows for logging of real-time dust 

concentrations at user-specified intervals and can simultaneously accomplish gravimetric 

sampling with its built-in gravimetric filter [Reed et al. 2012]. Other real-time datalogging 

aerosol monitors may require a separate gravimetric sampler operating simultaneously. The 

gravimetric filter allows for correction or calibration of the real-time concentrations from the 

real-time datalogging aerosol monitor to the type of dust being sampled. 

Correction or calibration is recommended for all light-scattering instruments [Williams and 

Timko 1984]. The sampling time period of the gravimetric and light-scattering instrument must 

be similar. The calibration ratio is calculated using the following equation: 

 

 

 

where Ratio = the calibration ratio; 

Grav = the gravimetric time-weighted average (TWA) concentration; and 

Instant = the real-time optical TWA concentration from the 1500-pDR. 
6 

Next, the calibration ratio is multiplied by each real-time optical concentration recorded by 

the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor in order to obtain absolute concentrations which can be

comparable to other similarly quantified concentrations of other occupations from other real-time

datalogging aerosol monitors. 

The pDR-1500 also allows size-selective sampling with D50 cut points ranging from 1 to 12 

μm using an ACGIH convention using optional cyclones that have been developed for this 

monitor [Lippmann 1995]. The D50 represents the median diameter of the particle-size range

being sampled. Other size-selective components (e.g., 10-mm Dorr-Oliver nylon cyclone, 

Higgins-Dewell cyclone) may also be used instead of these optional cyclones [Reed et al. 2012]. 

For example, to sample the respirable size range, the 10-mm Dorr-Oliver nylon cyclone, which 

has a D50 of 3.5 μm at 1.7 L/min flowrate (2.0 L/min for coal), is a possible cyclone that might 

be selected [Bartley et al. 1994]. 

The pDR-1000 or the AM-510 can be used as a sampling device, but an additional 

gravimetric sampler with a respirable dust preseparator would be recommended to allow for 

calibration, as the pDR-1000 and the AM-510 have no built-in capability for gravimetric 

sampling. However, gravimetric sampling may not be required as long as the user understands 

the limitation of the resulting data—that the resulting concentrations will be relative 

concentrations, not concentrations that are representative of the true mass [Williams and Timko 

1984]. These resulting concentrations would not be comparable with the different occupational

results from other real-time datalogging aerosol monitors.

Respirable Dust Sampling

The following are some helpful suggestions for setting the real-time datalogging aerosol 

monitor for respirable dust sampling: 

• Use new batteries for each new sampling period.

• Zero the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor prior to each use.

• Set the logging period for 1 or 2 seconds. Longer logging periods are more difficult to

analyze with EVADE as longer time periods make it difficult for the user to identify

exposure sources.

• Set a calibrated flowrate appropriate for the particle-size range desired. Refer to the

operation manual for flowrate adjustment and calibration. Typically, a Dorr-Oliver 10-

mm cyclone is used for respirable dust measurements, requiring a 1.7 L/min flowrate at 

metal/nonmetal mine sites (2.0 L/min flowrate for coal mine sites). There is no flowrate 

for the pDR-1000, but the gravimetric sampler’s pump flowrate should be set to match 

the size-selective preseparator used. 

• Disable any alarms. They are not needed.

• Set units to “Mass (ug/m3

)” for the pDR-1500 or mg/m3 for other monitors. NOTE: The

unit ug/m3 is equivalent to μg/m3.

• Synchronize the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor and video camera to the exact 

time on the devices before testing. This is best accomplished using the time setting on the 

download computer. 
7

9

 Use an appropriate filter. The SKC 5-micron 37-mm polyvinylchloride filter 

9

 Mention of any company or product name does not imply endorsement of that product by NIOSH. 

has been 

used effectively for collecting the respirable dust sample with the pDR-1500. Other filters 

may be available; the important specifications are the 37-mm diameter and material type. 

This filter should be placed in the white filter holders with the stainless steel backing 

included with the pDR-1500. Store preweighed filters in a petri dish. Care should be 

taken when changing filters to avoid contamination of the filter [Reed et al. 2012]. 

To conduct respirable dust sampling with the pDR-1500 or AM-510, a Dorr-Oliver 10-mm 

cyclone (illustrated in Figure 3) or other size-selective preseparator should be attached to the 

inlet. This can be accomplished by attaching the cyclone to the pDR inlet with a 3-ft length of a 

nonelectrostatic tubing such as black conductive tubing (other silicone based tubing can be 

substituted). The cyclone is attached to the worker’s lapel with the real-time datalogging aerosol 

monitor’s body secured to the worker’s belt (Figure 3). The use of a suspension rig belt, safety 

vest, or backpack facilitates this setup. Once the dust sampler is set up, the video camera can be 

outfitted. Using the video camera, the recording unit can be placed in a pocket of the vest (shown 

in Figure 3) or attached to a belt, and the lens is attached to the helmet of the worker using a 

typical helmet flashlight mount (Figure 4).

Photos by NIOSH 

Figure 3. Setup of sampling devices for personal sampling. 

 
8

Photo by NIOSH 

Figure 4. Placement of the video camera lens on the helmet. 

If the respirable dust personal sampling is conducted in an operator’s cab, an alternative 

setup can be used. A cab setup maintains the use of the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor 

and the video device, but the devices are located in an out-of-the-way place in the cab rather than 

placed upon a worker (Figure 5). In this case the cyclone is located on the wall of the cab at the 

operator’s breathing level. And the video camera lens is placed in an upper corner of the cab 

oriented to a position that provides a good view of the operator’s work. 

Figure 5. Typical setup of sampling and video devices in an operator's cab. Photo by NIOSH 
9 

Video camera setup

The following are some helpful suggestions for setting up the video camera when conducting 

respirable dust sampling: 

• Use new batteries for each sampling period. The V.I.O. POV video camera’s recording 

length may be 3–4 hours with alkaline batteries and 6–8 hours with lithium batteries. 

Other cameras’ recording length may only be up to 2 hours. Batteries should not be 

reused because video recording stops soon after due to low battery power. 

• Select a low-video-quality setting in the video camera setup menu. High-video-quality 

video files become very large (approximately 3 GB for 3 hours) and cumbersome when 

saving and copying. There is no observable visual loss of picture detail using low-quality 

video when video is played back on the computer. NOTE: The avi or wmv video files 

can be approximately 1.8 gigabytes (GB) for 31⁄2 hours on low resolution. HD video files 

(mp4) are even larger.

• Set frame rate as low as possible (i.e., 15 frames per second) in the video camera setup 

menu. 

• Sound should normally be turned off in the video camera’s setup menu. However, some 

operations may want to use sound to identify workplace surroundings. 

• Set time to computer time to synchronize time with the pDR.

• Use SD (secure digital) memory cards with a minimum rating of Class 6. The class rating 

of SD cards refers to the read/write speed of the memory card. A card with a rating of 

Class 10 is best as it has a faster read/write speed than a Class 6 card. Using a card with a 

rating less than Class 6 will result in dropped frames in the video, making those parts of 

the video ineffective for dust exposure analysis.

Once the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor and video camera are in place upon the 

worker or in the cab, the devices’ serial numbers or labels should be documented to allow for 

identification of the data files when conducting the dust exposure analysis (the easiest method is 

to label each device with a number and use those numbers for documentation). The real-time

datalogging aerosol monitor and video camera are started at the exact same time, and the worker 

is left to accomplish assigned duties. 

Important: Start the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor and the video 

camera at the exact same time.

If the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor’s internal clock loses its timing, which has 

occurred in past studies due to setting the initial time wrong or from the internal batteries being 

depleted, the files can still be analyzed together because both the dust concentration data file and 

the video file have the same start times.
10 

Dust Exposure Analysis Setup 

After the respirable dust and video sampling has been completed, the user must download the 

data files from each device. These data files will be used for analyzing the dust exposure of the 

worker that was sampled. If gravimetric sampling was conducted simultaneously during the 

survey either by use of the pDR-1500 or by other gravimetric methods, the filter should be 

collected and post-weighed to obtain a gravimetric respirable dust concentration. A discussion of 

gravimetric sampling is not provided as it is presumed that the user understands gravimetric 

sampling procedures. 

The pDR-1000, pDR-1500, and AM-510 allow downloading of the files to a computer. To 

download the data, the user would use the software program provided by the manufacturer of the 

real-time datalogging aerosol monitor. The data should be in comma separated values (csv) 

format in order to be used by EVADE.

The video camera generally allows downloading of the files to a computer. The user can use 

the software program provided by the camera manufacturer to download the data, or typically, 

Windows Explorer can be used to open the directory of the device and copy the file directly from 

the device to the computer. The user will copy the video files from the video camera device, 

using either avi or mp4 files depending upon the device. There may be a thumbnail file (thm)

located on the video camera device. It is not important to copy this file as EVADE does not use it 

during operation. 

It should be noted that the avi (or mp4) file may be very large which may result in long 

download times (>15 minutes, dependent upon computer speed). Because these video files may 

be very large (> 1GB), it is recommended that the user have a large external hard drive to store 

the data files. However, when using EVADE, the user would want to copy any files for 

investigation from the external hard drive to a working directory on the main drive in the 

computer. 

For organizational purposes, it is important to save the dust concentration data file and the 

video camera file to a common directory. For example, if you are downloading the data files 

from sampling a mechanic, all the csv and avi (or mp4) files could be saved to a directory labeled 

\mechanic\. If the mechanic occupation was sampled at several different sites, the directories 

should indicate this. For example, \Minesite #1\mechanic\ would contain all the data files from 

sampling a mechanic at Minesite #1. Also, a naming convention for the data files should be 

adopted by the user to help describe and organize the csv and avi (or mp4) files.

Once the data files have been saved, the dust exposure analysis using EVADE can be 

conducted. The instructions for using the EVADE software are provided in Appendix A and will 

allow the user to use EVADE to conduct a dust exposure analysis. 
11 

An Example: Conducting a New Dust Exposure Analysis

The EVADE software program is used to determine sources of overexposure to respirable 

dust. Once all of the different worker occupation video and dust concentration data files are 

downloaded and placed in their respective directories, the EVADE project analysis can be set up

for viewing and subsequent evaluation. The following are guidelines for conducting a dust 

exposure analysis. The EVADE software instructions in Appendix A allow you to use EVADE 

which is an important tool for conducting the analysis. Each mine site’s needs are different, and

you may use a methodology that may differ from these guidelines, but satisfy the needs of your 

site. 

Once the user has the dust concentration data for each occupation, the overall time-weighted

average (TWA) dust concentration should be recorded and ranked for each occupation. Dust 

exposure analysis should be conducted, first, on occupations which have the higher TWA dust 

concentrations. The user can determine if an occupation’s ranking will be based on gravimetric 

sampling or on real-time sampling. If filters were used to obtain a gravimetric sample, they 

should be sent for silica analysis, although it is not required. The silica analysis would aid in 

determining source exposure for respirable silica dust. 

Documenting the overall TWA dust concentration will aid the user in determining the overall

exposure for each occupation and determining the order of analysis based upon ranking of 

concentrations. Table 1 shows an example of documenting TWA concentrations for each 

occupation from a Helmet-CAM survey conducted on a blast crew at a surface mine site. 

Table 1. Dust concentrations from Helmet-CAM study of blast crew

Job 

Description

Gravimetric

Concentration 

(mg/m3

) 

pDR

Concentration 

(mg/m3

) 

Calibration 

Ratio

Sampling

Time Period

(minutes)

% 

Quartz

Blaster 2 0.179 0.235 0.761 193 11 

Stemmer 0.101 0.051 1.971 189 12 

Blaster 1 0.079 0.108 0.661 182 26 

In some cases the TWA dust concentrations may be very low. However, this does not 

preclude the existence of spikes of high respirable dust concentrations during the sampling 

period. These spikes will be the targets that the user exploits for source determination. 

The user then sets up a new dust exposure analysis for an occupation through the File menu 

in the EVADE program after which the analysis is ready to commence. At this point, the main 

program window shows the video display and the dust concentration graph (Figure 6).
12 

Figure 6. The EVADE main window after either the New Project or Open command under the 

File menu are selected to set up a new dust exposure analysis.

An initial step after setting up an EVADE occupation analysis, is to create thresholds that will 

aid the user in source identification. These thresholds may be the legal limit for respirable dust or 

may be some other user-defined limit. The number of thresholds to use can be determined by the 

user. The threshold(s) can be used as a guide to show dust concentrations that are of concern. 

If the Helmet-CAM surveys were conducted in conjunction with gravimetric samplers, the 

calibration ratio should be used to adjust the dust concentrations from the light-scattering dust 

sampling instruments. The use of the calibration ratio will allow for comparison of dust 

concentrations across all occupations to help determine which occupations are more susceptible 

to respirable dust overexposure. 

The user then proceeds viewing the playback of the video and dust concentration graph. The 

user can first target the highest spikes in respirable dust concentrations, which generally 

represent a specific activity being conducted by the occupation. EVADE automatically 

bookmarks the five highest concentration spikes. The software uses an algorithm that allows it to 

identify separate peaks, while attempting to prevent clustering of the five bookmarks around a 

single peak. The user can proceed to these bookmarks to identify the exposure sources through 

the video. The user can then proceed to other additional peaks creating additional bookmarks to 

identify other sources from occupation activities by bookmarking them in EVADE. 

Selecting the Export Bookmarks command (from the File menu) and the Screenshot

command (from the View menu) will allow the user to document the sources of respirable dust 

overexposure for the occupation. The Export Bookmarks command will save the bookmarks as a 

csv file which can be imported into a spreadsheet, allowing the bookmarks to be edited to create 

tables. Table 2 is an example of a table created using data from the Export Bookmarks command 

that documents potential respirable dust exposure sources. The Screenshot command exports the 

current view of the EVADE software to a jpg file which can also be used to document potential 

respirable dust exposure sources. 
13 

Table 2. EVADE automatic and user-defined bookmarks showing times, concentrations, 

and job activities for Blaster 1

Bookmark 

# 

Bookmark 

Type

Time1 

(hh:mm:ss) 

Concentration 

(mg/m3) Job Activity

1 Automatic 01:16:30 5.620 Loading hole w/ANFO2

2 Automatic 01:05:18 2.054 Loading hole w/detonator 

3 Automatic 01:19:22 1.974 Loading hole w/ ANFO 

4 Automatic 01:05:22 1.968 Loading hole w/detonator

5 Automatic 01:27:56 1.948 Cleaning hardhat

6 User-defined 00:25:09 1.836 Loading hole w/ANFO 

7 User-defined 00:08:38 0.581 Kicking material downhole for 

double decking 

8 User-defined 00:11:05 0.632 Kicking material downhole for 

double decking 

9 User-defined 00:29:02 0.791 Loading hole w/ANFO 

10 User-defined 00:31:28 0.947 Loading hole w/ANFO 

11 User-defined 02:52:44 1.754 Backing ANFO truck out of 

blast area

12 User-defined 01:20:37 1.658 Loading hole w/ANFO 

13 User-defined 01:21:52 1.551 Loading hole w/ANFO 

14 User-defined 01:18:20 1.698 Loading hole w/ANFO 

15 User-defined 01:26:14 0.713 Stemming w/foot 

16 User-defined 01:38:15 0.414 Drop explosive box in dust 

17 User-defined 01:28:41 0.625 Clean hardhat

18 User-defined 00:43:12 0.808 Load hole w/ANFO

1

Time represents elapsed time of the video where bookmark occurs. 2

ANFO –Ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. 

The number of bookmarks to create identifying respirable dust exposure sources is dependent

upon the user’s needs. Once sources are identified, engineering controls or work behaviors can 

be developed or modified to eliminate exposure from the source. EVADE will help in the 

development of these controls or behaviors by allowing the user to view the source of exposure 

by allowing repeat or pause of the video as many times as desired.

EVADE can also be used as a training tool to show workers the sources of their overexposure

to respirable dust. Playback of the EVADE program can be conducted with the worker to 

highlight areas where overexposures occurred while daily tasks were performed. The video can 

demonstrate what duties the worker was performing while the dust concentration data shows the 
14 

levels of respirable dust to which the miner was exposed. Additionally, EVADE can also be used 

in a safety meeting setting to show exposure sources to the entire work crew. It is recommended 

that you, as the user of this software program, review the video and data files prior to presenting 

the information at a safety meeting. As you gain experience working with the software, you may 

find additional novel techniques for finding respirable dust exposure sources for different mining 

occupations. Additionally, you may find other beneficial uses for the EVADE software. 

Ultimately, you and other users of the software will find that EVADE is an important tool in 

preventing respirable dust exposures in the mining industry. 
15 

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions to this 

document and software: 

Candace A. Wolf, Technical Writer-Editor, NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health 

Research for her efforts with editing this document and reviewing the software for continuity 

with this document. 

Gregory P. Cole, Team Leader, Computational Research Team, NIOSH Office of Mine 

Safety and Health Research for his efforts with the modification and debugging of the final 

version of the EVADE software. 
16 

References

Bartley DL, Chen C-C, Song R, Fischbach TJ [1994]. Respirable aerosol sampler performance 

testing. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 55(11):1036–1046. 

Chakrabarti B, Fine PM, Delfino R, Sioutas C [2004]. Performance evaluation of the active-flow 

personal DataRAM PM2.5 mass monitor (Thermo Anderson pDR-1200) designed for continuous 

personal exposure measurements. Atmos Environ 38(3):3329–3340. 

Gressel MG, Heitbrink WA, McGlothlin JD, Fischbach TJ [1988]. Advantages of real-time data 

acquisition for exposure assessment. Appl Ind Hyg 3(11):316–320. 

Lippmann M [1995]. Size-selective health hazard sampling. In: Cohen BS, Hering SV, eds. Air

sampling instruments for evaluation of atmospheric contaminants. 8th ed. Cincinnati, OH: 

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, ACGIH, pp. 81–119. 

Listak JM, Chekan GJ, Colinet JF, Rider JP [2007]. Performance of a light scattering dust 

monitor at various air velocities: results of sampling in the active versus the passive mode. Int J 

Miner Res Eng 12(1):35–47. 

Liu LJS, Slaughter JC, Larson TV [2002]. Comparison of light scattering devices and impactors 

for particulate measurements in indoor, outdoor, and personal environments. Envion Sci 

Technol, 36(13):2977–2986. 

NIOSH [1992]. Analyzing workplace exposures using direct reading instruments and video 

exposure monitoring techniques. By Gressel MG, Heitbrink WA, Jensen PA, Cooper TC, 

O'Brien DM, McGlothlin JD, Fischbach TJ, Topmiller JL. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-104. 

Quintana PJE, Samimi BS, Kleinman MT, Liu LJ, Soto K, Warner GY, Bufalino C, Valencia J, 

Francis D, Hovell MH, Delfino RJ [2000]. Evaluation of a real-time passive personal particle 

monitor in fixed site residential indoor and ambient measurements. J Expo Anal Environ 

Epidemiol 10(5):437–445. 

Reed WR, Potts JD, Cecala AB, Archer WJ [2012]. Use of the pDR-1500 for gravimetric 

respirable dust measurements at mines. Transactions of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and 

Exploration. Vol. 332. Littleton, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., pp. 

514–520. 

Rosen G, Lundstrom S [1987]. Concurrent video filming and measuring for visualization of 

exposure. Am Ind Hyg Assoc 48:688–692. 

Rosen G, Andersson I [1989]. Video filming and pollution measurement as a teaching aid in 

reducing exposure to airborne pollutants. Ann Occup Hyg 33(1):137–144. 
17 

Rosen G, Andersson I, Walsh PT, Clark RDR, Saamanen A, Heinonen K, Riipinen H, 

Paakkonen R [2005]. A review of video exposure monitoring as an occupational hygiene tool. 

Ann Occup Hyg 49(3):201–217. 

Thorpe A, Walsh PT [2007]. Comparison of portable, real-time dust monitors sampling actively, 

with size-selective adaptors, and passively. Ann Occup Hyg 51(8):679–691. 

USBM [1984]. Performance evaluation of a real-time aerosol monitor. By Williams KL, Timko 

RJ. Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Information Circular 

8968. 

Willeke K, Degarmo SJ [1988]. Passive versus active aerosol monitoring. App Ind Hyg 

3(9):263–266. 

Xu F, McGlothlin JD [2003]. Video exposure assessments of solvent exposures in university 

pharmaceutical laboratories–a pilot study. Chem Health Saf 10(6):23–28. 

19

Appendix A 

Instructions for Using the EVADE Software Version 1.0 

Installing the EVADE Software Program 

The files required for the installation of EVADE are located on the enclosed CD or can be 

downloaded from the NIOSH OMSHR website. An Installation Wizard will allow you to easily 

install EVADE on your computer. After installing EVADE, a video codec may have to be 

installed to view the video files if the video does not playback. If codec installation is required, 

follow the instructions in the Installing the Video Codec section in this document. 

NOTE: Administrative rights may be required to install the software. 

To install the EVADE software, perform the following steps: 

1. Insert the EVADE software CD into your computer’s CD drive or download the software 

from the EVADE website. 

2. Start Windows Explorer to browse the contents of the CD. 

3. Double-click on the Setup.exe icon:

The .NET framework is required for EVADE. If it is not already installed, the setup 

program will automatically install it. A dialog box will appear for .NET framework 

installation and should proceed without requiring user intervention. 

4. The initial installation window appears (Figure 7). This is the Setup Wizard which will 

guide you through the installation process. 

Figure 7. The initial installation window for EVADE. 

5. Once this installation window appears, click Next.

6. A window with the Disclaimer of Liability Clause will appear for you to read (Figure 8). 

(The text of the Disclaimer is shown in italics below Figure 8).
20 

If you agree with the Disclaimer, check the I have read and accept this disclaimer

selection, and click Next to proceed. A print option is available if you want to print out 

the Disclaimer text.

Figure 8. Window displaying NIOSH Disclaimer.

Disclaimer of Liability

This NIOSH/OMSHR developed software is provided “AS IS” without warranty of any 

kind including express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular 

purpose. By acceptance and use of this software, which is conveyed to the user without 

consideration by NIOSH, the user expressly waives any and all claims for damage and 

/or suits for personal injury or property damage resulting from any direct, indirect, 

incidental special or consequential damages, or damages for loss of profits, revenue, 

data or property use, incurred by the user or any third party, whether in an action in 

contract or tort, arising from access to, or use of, this software in whole or in part. 

No further development or upgrades for this software is planned. Any questions 

concerning this product can be directed to the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research 

email box at <mail to:OMSHR@cdc.gov> 

7. The wizard will display the folder where EVADE will be installed (Figure 9). If this 

directory is satisfactory, click Next to proceed. 

Figure 9. Window displaying folder where EVADE will be installed.

If you prefer a different directory, click Change to open another window which will 

allow you to select the folder where you want EVADE to be installed (Figure 10).
21 

Figure 10. Window displaying dialog box where you select the installation folder.

Using this window, you can either type the desired installation folder or select the desired 

installation folder. Click Next after making the desired selection.

8. The next window notifies you that the program is ready for installation (Figure 11).

Figure 11. Confirm installation window.

9. Click Install to proceed with the installation. As the installation proceeds, a window is 

displayed which contains a bar showing the progress of the installation (Figure 12).

Figure 12. Installation progress window.
22 

10. Once the installation is complete, a window will appear notifying you that the installation 

was successful (Figure 13). A check box is automatically selected to create an EVADE 

shortcut on the desktop. Deselect the check box if you do not want a shortcut created on 

the desktop. 

Figure 13. Installation complete window.

11. Click Finish to exit the installation wizard.

12. The EVADE program is ready for use. An EVADE icon [ ] is optionally placed on 

the Windows desktop, enabling you to easily start the program. 

13. EVADE can also be started from the Start menu by selecting All 

Programs/NIOSH/EVADE and then selecting EVADE (Figure 14).

Figure 14. The Start menu showing the location of the EVADE software, User’s Manual, 

Quick Start Guide, and EVADE Demo Video.
23 

Clicking EVADE starts the EVADE software. While clicking the EVADE User’s 

Manual and EVADE Quick Start Guide, open each file in Adobe Acrobat reader, 

respectively.

Also included is an EVADE Demo Video (without sound) that can be viewed and which 

presents to the user (by following the mouse cursor) the basic operation and playback 

features of EVADE. This video is started by clicking the EVADE Demo Video. 

An example video file and respirable dust concentration data file are available for testing 

the EVADE software. They are included on the CD in the \ExampleData\ directory or are 

available from the EVADE website.

Removing the EVADE Software Program

If you want to remove EVADE from your computer, there are two methods to accomplish this 

task:

• One method is to proceed to the Window’s Control Panel and select the command which 

enables you to uninstall, change, or repair software programs. Click on EVADE in the 

list of programs to remove the EVADE software from the computer.

• The other method is to use EVADE’s software removal tool. This is accomplished by 

reinserting the CD and double-clicking the Setup.exe icon on the CD. The setup wizard 

will automatically detect if EVADE is on the computer and provide three options: 

Modify, Repair, or Remove. The Remove option will remove the EVADE software from 

the computer. Select the Remove all installed features option and click Next to 

complete the removal of the EVADE software from your computer (Figure 15).

Figure 15. Window showing the Modify, Repair, and Remove options for EVADE.

Repairing the EVADE Software Program

The Repair option (Figure 15) is used if you encounter problems operating EVADE; this option 

will complete a re-installation in an attempt to repair the program.

Modifying the EVADE Software Program

The Modify option is currently not enabled. This option would normally be used to install or 

remove program features. This feature will be used in future program updates. 
24

Installing the Video Codec 

To view the video files in EVADE, you will also have to install the DIVX codec on your 

computer. This codec can be found on the installation disk provided by V.I.O. for the POV 

cameras, or can be downloaded and installed from the DIVX website: 

http://www.divx.com/en/software/divx-plus/codec-pack. Follow the instructions listed on the 

website to use this codec. 

Another codec which seems to work better with EVADE, providing better video playback, is the 

XVID codec, which can be downloaded from the website: http://www.xvid.org. 

Overview of the EVADE Main Window

To start the EVADE program: 

1. Double-click on the EVADE shortcut icon [ ] located on the Windows Desktop or go 

to the Start menu and select All Programs/NIOSH/EVADE and select the EVADE icon. 

2. EVADE will start by displaying the main window of the program (Figure 16).

The window may open in a minimized mode. You can change the default window size. 

Upon opening the program, change the window to the desired size. Exit EVADE and then 

restart. EVADE will remember the last window size display and use it for the default size 

on the next startup. 

Figure 16. The main window of the EVADE program. 
25 

The EVADE main window contains the following elements: 

• The active title bar at the top of the window contains the name of the software program, 

EVADE, on the left and the standard Minimize, Restore Down/Maximize, and Exit 

buttons that are familiar with typical windows programs on the right.

• Right below the active title bar is the menu bar, which contains a series of drop-down 

menus: File, Bookmarks, Playback, View, and Help. Clicking on any one of these menu 

names opens a drop-down menu with commands for operating the program. 

• The display areas for the dust exposure analysis consist of two open areas. The large gray 

area on the right is the video display area. The large white area underneath the title 

Reading: 0.00 is where the dust data graph will display when an analysis through 

EVADE is begun.

• On the left below the menu bar are the following menu tabs: Details, Active Bookmarks, 

Active Files, and Notes. Clicking on any of these tabs will display different information 

in the subwindow just beneath the tabs. 

• Below the menu tabs area is a Zoom bar which can be used to zoom in and out on the 

dust data graph during analysis.

• Below the Zoom bar are the following action buttons: Open File, New Project, Play, 

Pause, Stop, and Audio On/Audio Off (Mute) if audio is used. 

Menu Bar Commands

The menu bar consists of the following menus: File, Bookmarks, Playback, View, and Help. 

Clicking on each menu name opens a drop-down menu which allows you to set up and operate 

the EVADE program for dust exposure analysis. The following sections describe each menu and 

its commands.

File Menu

The File menu contains program commands that are used to initiate the dust exposure analysis. 

Click on File to open a drop-down menu listing the following commands (shown in Figure 17):

• Open (Ctrl+O)

• New Project (Ctrl+N)

• Export Bookmarks (Ctrl+E) 

• Exit

In parenthesis next to each command are the keystrokes that can also be used to start the 

command. Once a File command has been used to set up the initial analysis, the commands in 

the Bookmarks, Playback, and View menus can be used. The commands in the Help menu can 

be used at any time to view Help topics for EVADE. 

During the initial use of EVADE for a Helmet-CAM project, you will first select the New

Project command to set up the analysis, defining the proper video and dust concentration data 

files to use in the respirable dust exposure analysis. Select the Open command to open existing 

analyses where these files are already established.
26 

At the initial startup of the EVADE software, it will create a directory labeled EVADE in the My 

Documents folder of the computer. This EVADE directory will contain data files used by 

EVADE for software operation. The default directory location where the program dcf files, 

where dcf stands for dust camera file, will be stored will be the user selected directory containing 

the video and dust concentration data files. This EVADE directory is the location where dcf files 

will be automatically saved, unless otherwise specified. You have the option to select other 

directories as needed for the opening and saving of dcf files.

NOTE: Setting up EVADE to use data files from a CD, DVD, or network drive is not 

recommended. Because the video files are usually very large, file access errors may occur, and 

the EVADE program may not operate correctly during operation. It is best to set up the data files 

from your computer’s C:\ drive or any drive that has high speed read/write access.

Figure 17. The File drop-down menu displaying available commands.

Open Command

The Open command is used to open an existing dust exposure analysis. 

To open an existing analysis: 

1. Click on the Open option from the File menu to open the Open dialog box (Figure 18). 

This dialog box lists the filenames of existing dust exposure analyses and allows you to 

select the existing analysis file you want to open. The analysis file has the naming format 

of <filename>.dcf . This file is created during the configuration of an initial analysis 

under the New Project command. Therefore, these files will not be available during the 

initial setup. There is only one file created for a configured dust exposure analysis. You 

can create additional analyses for the same occupation by renaming the dcf file.
27

Figure 18. The Open command dialog box. 

2. Find the proper directory where the dust exposure analysis is stored. 

3. Click on the desired filename of the dust exposure analysis you want to open, then click 

Open. The EVADE main window will update to display the video in the video display 

area and the dust concentration data graph (Figure 19).

Figure 19. The EVADE main window after an existing dust exposure analysis is selected 

through the Open command. 
28 

Possible Error Messages When Using the Open Command: 

If there are possible problems with the data, a data file information message will be displayed to 

inform you of possible errors. Two common types of errors encountered are negative values and 

missing values (Figure 20).

Figure 20. Data file information alert for negative values and missing values.

Negative values may occur due to faulty calibration of the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor.

When encountered, the data is not changed by the program. The negative value alert is aerosol 

monitor specific. The alert will identify the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor based upon the

data format encountered, i.e., if the data format is pDR-1500, then the alert mentions pDR-1500; 

if the data format is pDR-1000, then the alert mentions pDR-1000; if the data format is AM-510,

then the alert mentions AM-510; and if the data format is EVADE’s universal format, then the 

alert mentions the type of real-time datalogging aerosol monitor that was input in the universal 

format dialog box. Missing values, another type of error, in the data file are identified as bad 

characters by EVADE. If there are missing values, the program substitutes a value that is the 

average of the previous and subsequent values surrounding the missing value. However, data in 

the dust concentration data file are not changed.

Another possible error that can occur is when the video and dust concentration time lengths are

offset (Figure 21). A data file information alert informs the user that there is a difference 

between the length of time of the video file and of the dust concentration file. The program 

notifies the user of the time differential, but does not adjust for it. 

NOTE: It is very important to start the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor and the video 

camera at the same time. EVADE cannot detect nor correct for any time differential due to 

differing startup times.
29

Figure 21. Data file information alert for time differential between video and 

dust concentration files. 

Clicking OK in any of the data file information boxes will clear the alerts. Once the window 

updates, the EVADE program will allow you to proceed with the dust exposure analysis. These 

data file information dialog boxes are informational windows only, and do not initiate 

corrections to be made by EVADE. To correct these errors, the user must physically edit the data 

files. As long as the video and dust sampling devices were started simultaneously and there is not 

a large number of negative values, editing the data files is not required and the dust exposure 

analysis can be conducted without any adverse impact from these errors. 

There is the possibility that the video file may be corrupt due to disk read/write errors, multiple 

copying, etc., causing the video to not display in EVADE. In this case, a Video Load Error! will 

occur notifying you that the file is corrupt (Figure 22). EVADE will ask if you want to delete the 

dcf file to prevent the corrupt video file from being used in any dust exposure analysis. It is 

generally recommended to delete the dcf file and restart the dust exposure analysis anew. 

However, if a backup of the video file is available, the backup video file can be copied over the 

corrupt video file which should correct the Video Load Error. In this case, you would want to 

select No to deleting the dcf file when the Video Load Error! dialog box appears. 

Figure 22. A Video Load Error! dialog box that appears during the Open command 

if the video file is corrupt. 

New Project Command 

The New Project command is used to create a new dust exposure analysis. The data files that are 

used by EVADE are as follows: 

<filename>.csv Dust concentration data file. Created by the pDR-1000, pDR-1500, or 

AM-510. 

<filename>.avi A standard definition video file.
30 

<filename>.mp4 A high definition video file. Currently, only Microsoft video formats are 

supported by EVADE. The software program will not work with Apple 

video formats. 

<filename>.wmv A Windows media video file. This format can also be read by EVADE. If 

problems viewing the avi video file occur during operation of EVADE, the 

video file can be converted to the wmv format.

<filename>.bmk EVADE bookmark file. Created by EVADE during previous review of 

dust concentration and video files. This file contains the bookmarks 

automatically created by EVADE and any user-defined bookmarks. 

These files are downloaded from the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor and video camera 

and should be placed in a common directory where they can be selected by EVADE. It should be 

noted that the bookmark file is created after the initial dust exposure analysis setup of the data 

files using EVADE. It will not be available during the initial setup of the analysis.

The user should ensure that the video (avi, mp4, or wmv) and dust concentration data (csv) files 

are located in the same directory because EVADE will not allow the setup procedure if only one 

type of file is in the directory. Additionally, once bookmark files have been created, the user 

should ensure that they are located in the same directory with the avi and csv data files in order 

to access the bookmarks during later dust exposure analysis. 
31 

To start a new dust exposure analysis:

1. Click on the New Project option from the File menu to open the Create New EVADE 

Project dialog box which is used to locate and associate the video, datalog, and 

bookmark files required to conduct a new dust exposure analysis (Figure 23). This dialog 

box contains three selection buttons, Select video file..., Select datalog file..., and 

(Optional) Select bookmark file..., each of which prompts the user for a specific action. 

The user is guided through the selection process via highlighted selection buttons. For 

example, in Figure 23 the user is prompted to select a video file, which is the first step. 

Clicking Cancel terminates the Create New EVADE Project process.

Figure 23. The Create New EVADE Project dialog box which opens when the New Project 

command is selected from the File menu.
32 

2. Click the Select video file..., the first highlighted selection button, to launch an Open

dialog box (Figure 24). This dialog box allows selection of the video files in avi, mp4, or 

wmv format. The location of these video files can be selected by scrolling through the file 

listing on the left side of the dialog box and selecting the desired directory. The data can 

be located in a directory on any drive: for example, C:\ drive, CD rom drive, network 

drive, etc. It should be noted that poor video playback may occur in the EVADE software

when the data is located on a network drive. EVADE will provide a notification of this 

circumstance (Figure 25); click OK to clear the message. Once the video file is selected, 

click Open to proceed. The next step Select datalog file will be highlighted. Selecting 

Cancel terminates the Select video file process and returns the user to the beginning of 

the Create New EVADE Project procedure. 

Figure 24. The New Project command dialog box showing drive directories.

Figure 25. The warning message notifying the user that EVADE video playback may be 

unsatisfactory when running data files from a network drive.
33 

3. Click the Select datalog file... button to open the Select Datalog (CSV) File dialog box 

(Figure 26). This dialog box allows selection of the dust concentration data to be used by 

EVADE. The available dust concentration files, in csv format, are listed in this dialog 

box. Once the proper csv file is selected, click Select to proceed. Selecting Cancel

terminates the Select datalog file procedure. The next step (Optional) Select bookmark 

file will be highlighted.

NOTE: This dialog box does not allow for switching directories. It uses the directory 

chosen during the video selection process. Therefore, it is important to keep all video and 

dust concentration data files in the same directory.

Figure 26. The Select Datalog (CSV) File dialog box allowing selection of the 

dust concentration data file. 
34 

4. Click the (Optional) Select bookmark file... button to open the Select Bookmark 

(BMK) File dialog box (Figure 27). This dialog box allows selection of the bookmark 

file. A bookmark file, a filename with a bmk extension, is a file that contains bookmarks 

from a previously conducted dust exposure analysis. The initial project setup may not 

have an available bookmark file. Therefore, this is an optional command and selecting 

this command may not be required if there is no bookmark file or if the user decides not 

to use any existing bookmark files. As with the Select Datalog file step, this dialog box 

does not allow for switching directories. It uses the directory chosen during the video 

selection process. Click Select to proceed. Selecting Cancel terminates the Select 

bookmark file procedure. 

Figure 27. The (Optional) Select Bookmark (BMK) File dialog box allowing selection 

of a bookmark file.
35 

5. Once these steps are completed, the Create Project button becomes highlighted (Figure 

28). At this time, if you notice a mistake in selecting a data file, you can go to any of the 

previous steps, (Optional) Select bookmark file, Select datalog file, or Select video 

file, and click on the appropriate button to reselect the data file.

NOTE: Selecting Select video file will start the entire file selection process over. Click 

on Create Project to proceed. 

Figure 28. The Create New EVADE Project dialog box after all data file selections 

have been completed.
36 

6. After selecting Create Project, a Save As dialog box will open allowing you to save the 

project (Figure 29). NOTE: To prevent overwriting the dcf files, the filename will be 

changed to <filename_v1>.dcf. With subsequent saves, _v1 will automatically increase as 

follows: _v1, _v2,_v3, etc. The user always has the option to rename the file. Once Save

is selected, the window will update to display the video and dust concentration graph in 

the EVADE main window. Once the window updates, the EVADE program is ready to 

be used to conduct the dust exposure analysis.

Figure 29. The Save As dialog box displayed after selecting Create Project.

Possible Error Messages When Using the New Project Command:

As with the Open command, when using the New Project command data file information

messages may display to inform the user of possible problems with the data. Two types of errors 

commonly encountered are negative values and missing values (Figure 20). If negative values 

occur, a data file information message will be displayed to alert you to their presence. When 

negative values are encountered due to faulty calibration of the real-time datalogging aerosol 

monitor, the data is not changed by the program. 

If there are missing values, you are alerted with a data file information message and the program 

substitutes a value that is the average of the previous and subsequent value surrounding the 

missing value. However, data in the dust concentration data file are not changed.

 Another possible type of error that can occur is that the video and dust concentration time

lengths are offset (Figure 21). A data file information alert informs you that there is a difference 

between the length of time of the video file and of the dust concentration file. The program 

notifies you of the time differential, but does not adjust for it. NOTE: It is very important to start 

the real-time datalogging aerosol monitor and the video camera at the same time. EVADE cannot 

detect nor correct for any time differential due to differing startup times.
37 

Click the OK button in the dialog boxes to clear the data file information alerts. Once the 

window updates, the EVADE program will allow you to proceed with the dust exposure analysis. 

There is the possibility that the video file may be corrupt due to disk read/write errors, multiple 

copying, etc. causing the video to not display in EVADE. In this case, a Video Load Error! will 

occur notifying you that the file is corrupt (Figure 30). EVADE will not create a dcf file. Click 

“Ok” to clear the error and to start over with the New Project command.

Figure 30. A Video Load Error! dialog box that appears during the New Project command 

if the video file is corrupt.

Export Bookmarks Command

The Export Bookmarks command allows you to export the bookmark information that has been 

created during an EVADE analysis. This command allows conversion of the bmk file to a csv file 

which can be used in a written report. A bookmark is a link to an individual dust exposure event 

during the respirable sampling time period of the Helmet-CAM survey. EVADE creates five 

automatic bookmarks at the five highest dust concentration peaks in the data file. You can create 

additional bookmarks for other dust exposure events (see the Bookmarks Menu section for 

further information).

To export bookmark information:

1. Click on the Export Bookmarks option from the File menu or use the Ctrl+E keystrokes 

to display the Save As dialog box for saving the bookmarks (Figure 31). The default 

filename will be the name used for the bmk file with the added _EXP after the filename, 

but before the bmk extension. You have the option to rename the file and place it in a 

location of your choice. 
38 

Figure 31. The Save as dialog box for saving the exported bookmark file. This example also shows 

the active bookmarks under the Active Bookmarks tab.

2. The exported bookmark file will be saved as a comma delimited file (.csv) which can be 

viewed in Excel or WordPad/Notepad. The file will have the following data columns 

(which correspond to the information that can be viewed through the Active Bookmarks 

tab):

Bookmark #. The number that corresponds to the bookmark number in EVADE. 

Name. The user defined name of the bookmark or the label Max 1 through Max 5 if 

an automatic bookmark. 

Time (hh:mm:ss). The time that the bookmark occurs in the video file. 

Concentration (micrograms, milligrams, % concentration, or ppm). The dust 

concentration value associated with the bookmark 

An example of a typical exported bookmark file is shown in Table 3. The first row is the title 

row with the column titles. Each row thereafter corresponds to a bookmark and displays the 

columnar information, which corresponds with the Active Bookmark Tab columns, associated 

with that bookmark. Name corresponds with Description, and Concentration corresponds with 

Reading. The first five data rows will contain information for the five automatic bookmarks, 

which will be named Max 1 through Max 5. Time will always be in hh:mm:ss and Concentration 

may be micrograms or milligrams, depending on the units selected.
39 

Table 3. Example of exported bookmark data using the Export Bookmarks command

Bookmark # Name1 Time (hh:mm:ss) Concentration2 

(μm, micrograms)

1 Max1 01:14:16 4,456 

2 Max2 00:33:12 1,992 

3 Max3 00:33:20 2,000 

4 Max4 01:17:26 4,646 

5 Max5 00:33:16 1,996 

6 stemming3 00:17:37 1,057 

7 stemming 00:18:35 1,115 

8 stemming 00:20:54 1,254 

9 stemming 00:21:40 1,300 

10 stemming 00:34:33 2,073 

11 stemming 00:35:19 2,119 

12 stemming 00:48:33 2,913 

13 stemming 00:50:40 3,040 

14 stemming 00:55:24 3,324 

15 stemming 01:00:00 3,600 

16 trk rev4 01:20:23 4,823 

17 revtrkincab5 01:20:57 4,857 

18 stemming 01:25:16 5,116 

19 stemming 01:28:22 5,302 

20 stemming 01:31:52 5,512 1 Name corresponds with Description on the Active Bookmarks Tab 2 Concentration corresponds with Reading on the Active Bookmarks Tab 3 stemming refers to the job activity of filling the blasthole with stemming material

4 trk rev refers to increasing the truck engine rpm when operating 5 revtrkincab refers to backing up the bulk truck while operator is in cab with window open

Exit Command

Clicking the Exit command option from the File menu allows you to exit the EVADE program. 

Bookmarks Menu

A bookmark is a link to an individual dust exposure event during the respirable sampling time 

period of the Helmet-CAM survey. The Bookmarks menu allows you to add bookmarks as 

needed. The added bookmarks are user-defined bookmarks. EVADE creates five automatic 

bookmarks at the five highest dust concentration peaks in the data file. The Bookmarks menu 
40 

allows you to turn on and off these five automatic bookmarks created by EVADE. Click on 

Bookmarks on the menu bar to open a drop-down menu which contains the following 

commands (Figure 32):

• Add (Ctrl+B)

• On/Off Max Bookmarks

Figure 32. The Bookmarks drop-down menu (upper left) with available commands.

Add Command

The Add command from the Bookmarks menu allows the creation of bookmarks on the dust 

concentration graph. A bookmark can be used to mark a position on the graph to which you can 

refer at a later time during the dust exposure analysis. The bookmarks added through the Add 

command are user-defined bookmarks. 

To add a bookmark: 

1. Do one of the following to select the position on the dust concentration graph where you 

want to add the bookmark: 

NOTE: The vertical green line on the graph represents the location on the graph that 

corresponds to the picture displayed on the video screen. 

• Allow the dust concentration graph to move or playback to the desired position 

during playback. 

• Drag the dust concentration graph to the desired location using the mouse. To do this, 

left-click on the graph, then drag the graph in the desired direction. 

• Use the slider bar, located right above the graph, to adjust the display of the dust 

concentration graph. 
41

2. Once the vertical green line is at the desired location for the bookmark, click Add from 

the File menu or use the keystrokes Ctrl+B. The Add Bookmark dialog box opens 

prompting for a bookmark description (Figure 33).

Note: Click Cancel to cancel the operation of creating a bookmark. 

Figure 33. The Add Bookmark dialog box. 

3. Enter a name for the new bookmark in the Description box (12-character maximum) to 

identify the bookmark. Then, click OK to set the bookmark. 

For example, typing a description such as “New Bookmark” in the Description box and 

clicking OK will add a new bookmark at the location of the vertical green line (Figure 34) 

and label that location “New Bookmark.” It will also number the bookmark with the next 

consecutive number (shown as Bookmark # 6 in the Active Bookmarks tab in Figure 34).

The program automatically marks 5 bookmarks for the first five highest dust 

concentrations from the dust concentration data file. The program allows a maximum of 

50 bookmarks per dust exposure analysis. 

4. In addition to automatically numbering the bookmark the EVADE program shows the 

new bookmark’s location in time format, Time (hr), (min), (sec). 

5. Bookmarks are automatically saved in the dcf file when the EVADE program is exited 

and re-opened using the Open command from the File menu. 

6. The new bookmark appears as the last bookmark in the tabs information area, which is 

displayed when the Active Bookmarks tab is selected (located in the upper left area of the 

window, as shown on Figure 34).
42 

, 

Figure 34. The “New Bookmark” added to the dust concentration graph. This bookmark is also 

shown on the Active Bookmarks tabs on the left.

On/Off Max Bookmarks Command

Selecting the On/Off Max Bookmarks command from the Bookmarks menu opens a submenu 

with On and Off commands. These commands allow you to turn on or turn off the five 

bookmarks that are automatically created by EVADE.

When the On/Off Max Bookmarks submenu opens, the On command is checkmarked. There will 

be five bookmarks located at the five maximum dust concentrations on the dust concentration 

graph. 

Clicking the Off command places a checkmark by it, and the five automatic bookmarks will not 

be displayed in either the dust concentration graph or in the Active Bookmarks subwindow 

(Figure 35). The Off command will only turn off the five automatic maximum bookmarks. If 

there are any user-defined bookmarks, the user-defined bookmarks will still be available.

Clicking the On command places a checkmark by it, and the five automatic bookmarks will be 

restored on the dust concentration graph and in the Active Bookmarks tab (Figure 36). This 

allows the user to toggle on or off the display of the five automatic bookmarks. 
43 

Figure 35. The On/Off Max Bookmarks command selected with the Off command checkmarked.

Figure 36. Display of the On/Off Max Bookmarks command with the On command checkmarked.
44 

Playback Menu

The Playback menu displays commands that can be used during the playback of the video and 

the dust concentration data graph. Click Playback on the menu bar to open a drop-down menu 

which contains the following commands (Figure 37):

• Play (Ctrl+P). Clicking Play or typing Ctrl and P starts playback of the video and the 

dust concentration graph. When you click on Play, the Pause and Stop commands 

become enabled.

• Pause (Ctrl+U). Clicking Pause or typing Ctrl and U pauses the playback of the video 

and dust concentration graph. 

• Stop (Ctrl+S). Clicking Stop or typing Ctrl and S stops playback of the video and dust 

concentration graph, and resets the video and dust concentration graph to the beginning. 

• Audio On/Off (Ctrl+A). Clicking Audio On/Off toggles between turning off the audio 

and turning on the audio, if the audio was enabled during recording. 

NOTE: The left arrow and right arrow keys on the keyboard can also be used to progress 

through the video. Pressing either key will advance (using the right arrow key) or retreat (using 

the left arrow key) in approximately 10-second intervals each time the key is pressed. This 

advance and retreat can be accomplished during the Play, Pause, or Stop modes. 

Figure 37. The Playback drop-down menu (upper left) with available commands.

View Menu

When you click on View from the menu bar, the View drop-down menu opens, listing the 

following commands (Figure 38):

• Screenshot (Ctrl+Q). Clicking on Screenshot or pressing the Ctrl and Q keys on your 

keyboard will allow you to take a snapshot of the current screen and save it as a JPEG file. 
45 

• Units. Clicking on Units opens a submenu and allows you to toggle between units of 

milligrams (mg/m3) or micrograms (μg/m3). 

• Graph Options. Clicking on Graph Options opens the Graph Options dialog box where 

you can make changes to the dust concentration graphical display which appears at the 

bottom of the EVADE main window. 

• Calibrate (Ctrl+L). Clicking on Calibrate or pressing the Ctrl and L keys on your 

keyboard will open the Calibrate dialog box where you can calibrate the dust 

concentrations using the user-defined calibration ratio which is used to correct data from 

light-scattering instruments. 

Figure 38. The View drop-down menu (upper left) with available commands.

Screenshot

Clicking on Screenshot from the View menu or pressing the Ctrl and Q keys on your computer 

keyboard displays a Save As dialog box for saving the current screen snapshot (Figure 39). The 

default filename will be the name used for the avi file with a jpg extension. However, you have 

the option of renaming the file and placing it in a location of your choice.

The Save As dialog box automatically labels the filename with the default file name 

<filename>.jpg. In the example in Figure 39, the file name is Blaster 8_10_11_V1. To prevent 

overwriting previous screenshots, the default filename will be changed to <filename_v1>.jpg. 

With subsequent automatic saves, _v1 will increase as follows: _v1, _v2,_v3, etc. to differentiate 

the screenshot from other screenshots. 

Once the file is saved, the user can then view the jpg file using Windows Picture and Fax Viewer 

or the file can be opened for viewing and editing with any jpg editing software (Figure 40). The 

Screenshot command is useful for generating illustrations for reports.
46 

Figure 39. The Save As dialog box that opens when the Screenshot command is selected 

from the View menu.

Figure 40. Microsoft Windows Picture and Fax Viewer view of jpg file created 

by the Screenshot command.
47 

Units

Clicking on the Units command from the View menu opens a submenu displaying Milligrams

and Micrograms (Figure 41). The program starts with the units that are standard with the realtime datalogging aerosol monitor being used (micrograms/m3 for pDR-1500, milligrams/m3 for 

pDR-1000 and AM-510). Clicking the other unit will convert the units in the different displays 

and for the dust concentration data graph. For example, if Micrograms was originally checked, 

clicking Milligrams converts all the dust concentrations to milligrams and vice versa.

Figure 41. The Units submenu that opens when the Units command is selected 

from the View menu.

Graph Options

Clicking on the Graph Options command from the View menu opens the Graph Options dialog 

box which contains features you select for the dust data graph that appears on the main window 

(Figure 42). This dialog box contains three main selection areas: 

• Graph Scaling

• Thresholds 

• Display Options 

NOTE: Clicking on the Options button to the right of the Zoom bar also opens the Graph 

Options window. 
48

Graph Scaling 

This feature allows the user to set the vertical scale of the dust concentration graph by 

selecting one of the following options: 

 Automatic Scaling to Full Data Set. This feature sets the vertical scale of the 

dust concentration data graph to the maximum dust concentration encountered in 

the entire dust concentration data file. 

 Automatic Scaling to Visible Data. This feature sets the vertical scale of the dust 

concentration data graph to the maximum dust concentration that is currently 

viewable in the graphical area. This maximum may readjust to different values as 

the video and graph scroll through the data. 

 Manual Upper Limit. This feature allows the user to define the upper limit of the 

vertical scale of the dust concentration data graph in the unit displayed. You can 

use the up and down arrows of the number selection box to select the desired 

upper limit in 0.1 increments, or type the desired upper limit in the number 

3

selection box. The upper limits that can be entered are 800 for mg/m , 800,000 for 

3

μg/m , 1,000,000 for ppm, and 100 for % concentrate. 

Figure 42. The Graph Options dialog box that opens when selected from the View menu. 

Thresholds 

This feature allows you to input a horizontal line that represents a user-defined concentration 

limit in the dust concentration data graph. This can be useful when you want to view dust 

concentrations that may be above your thresholds for dust concentrations. 

To add a threshold: 

1. Click on the Add Threshold... button on the Graph Options dialog box. The Edit 

Threshold dialog box will open (Figure 43).
49 

2. Enter a name for the new threshold in the Name text box. 

3. Enter a user-defined threshold limit or select a limit (using the up and down arrows to 

increase or decrease the threshold in 0.1 increments) in the Threshold Value (μg/m3)

text box. You must ensure that the threshold value is entered in units requested, either 

μg/m3 or mg/m3. 

Figure 43. The Edit Threshold dialog box that opens when you click on the 

Add Threshold button.

4. In the Color box, select the down arrow or just select the Color box to open the dropdown color selection dialog box, showing Available Colors and Standard Colors. 

Select a color for the threshold line (Figure 44).

Selecting the Advanced button on the color selection dialog box opens the advanced 

drop-down dialog box where you can use the slider bars for R, G, B, and A (R=red, 

G=green, B=blue, and A=opacity) to change the colors and opacity of the threshold 

line (Figure 45).
50 

Figure 44. The Edit Threshold dialog box showing the drop-down color selection box.

Figure 45. The Edit Threshold dialog box showing the drop-down advanced 

color selection box.

5. In the Line Style box, select the down arrow or simply select the box to open a dropdown box containing six different line styles (Figure 46). Select one of the line styles, 

then click on the Ok button to create the threshold lines.
51 

Figure 46. The Edit Threshold dialog box showing the drop-down line style selection box.

6. Creating multiple thresholds. The user can also create additional thresholds which 

will be all displayed concurrently (Figure 47). There is no limit to the number of 

thresholds that can be created.

7. Deleting thresholds. The user can delete any or all of the thresholds by clicking on the 

red X button next to the threshold to be deleted (Figure 47). It should be noted that 

any thresholds created will remain active in other EVADE analyses, both when 

opening new dust cam files (dcf) or creating new analyses, until they are actually 

deleted.
52 

Figure 47. The Graph Options dialog box showing additional thresholds added to the graph.

Display Options

This feature contains three selection options for displaying information on the dust 

concentration data graph on the EVADE main window. These display options are on the 

upper right side of the Graph Options dialog box under Display Options and include: 

• Show bookmarks 

• Show thresholds 

• Show grid lines 

A checkbox beside each option allows you to display or hide the corresponding option. You 

can set your preferences by selecting or deselecting the following options (a checkmark in 

the checkbox indicates that the option is selected):

• Show bookmarks. When selected, this option will display all the bookmarks in the 

graph area. When deselected, all the bookmarks will be hidden. Note: the On/Off 

Max Bookmarks command under the Bookmarks menu will override this option. If 

On/Off Max Bookmarks is Off, then this option will not function. 

• Show thresholds. When selected, this option will display all the user-defined 

thresholds. When deselected, all the thresholds will be hidden. 

• Show grid lines. When selected, this option will display the background grid lines in 

the graph area. When deselected, the background grid lines will be hidden. 

Calibrate

Selecting Calibrate from the View menu allows you to select the calibration ratio which is used 

to correct light-scattering, dust-measuring devices such as the 1000-pDR or 1500-pDR for the 

characteristics of the dust type being measured. This procedure is recommended for all light-
53 

scattering instruments [Williams and Timko 1984]. Correction is accomplished using a 

gravimetric sampler along with the light-scattering instrument (the 1500-pDR has a built-in 

gravimetric) [Reed et al. 2012]. The sampling time period of the gravimetric and light-scattering 

instrument must be similar. The ratio is calculated using the following equation (also shown in 

the Sampling Procedure section): 

Ratio = Grav

Instant

where Ratio = the calibration ratio;

Grav = the gravimetric time-weighted average (TWA) concentration; and

Instant = the real-time optical TWA concentration from the 1500-pDR.

Next, the calibration ratio is multiplied by each real-time optical concentration recorded by the 

1000-pDR or 1500-pDR in order to obtain absolute concentrations which can be comparable to 

other concentrations. 

To use the Calibration command: 

1. Click on Calibrate in the View menu or type the keystrokes Ctrl and L. The Calibrate 

dialog box will open as shown in Figure 48. 

2. Enter the calibration ratio in the box to the right of Calibration Ratio or select the 

calibration ratio by using the up and down arrows in the box. Each click of the up or 

down arrow will increase or decrease the calibration ratio by 0.01. The calibration ratio 

must be within a range of 0.01 to 100. The default calibration ratio is 1.00. 

3. After entering the calibration ratio, click the OK button to activate the calibration. This 

action will multiply all the real-time dust concentrations by the calibration ratio. For 

example in Figure 48, the ratio entered is 1.15. Therefore, all the real-time dust 

concentrations will be multiplied by the ratio 1.15. The calibration will be reflected in the 

number field to the right of the Reading label above the graph and on the y-axis of the 

dust concentration graph.

4. To clear or reset the calibration ratio, click on the check box next to “Restore original 

data values.” Or, enter 1.00 in the calibration ratio. 
54

Figure 48. The Calibrate dialog box for entering the calibration ratio. 

Help Menu 

When you click on Help from the menu bar, the Help drop-down menu opens, listing the 

following commands (Figure 49) that provide help and information about the EVADE software 

program: 

 View Help. Clicking on View Help opens the EVADE Help Files window. 

 View Playback Details. Clicking on View Playback Details opens an informational 

window displaying the active codecs. 

 About. Clicking on About opens the EVADE program version dialog box. 
55 

Figure 49. The Help drop-down menu with available commands.

View Help

Clicking on the View Help command from the Help menu opens the EVADE Help Files window 

where the user can find information about the EVADE program by browsing the topics listed in 

the column on the left (Figure 50). The user can search for information by browsing for 

information through the Contents tab, by using the Index through the Index tab, or by typing 

search keywords in the text box under the Search tab. 

Figure 50. Display of the Help window.
56 

View Playback Details

Clicking on the View Playback Details command from the Help menu opens a window that 

displays information about the active codecs being used by the EVADE program (Figure 51).

Figure 51. The Active Codecs dialog box which opens when Video Playback Details 

is selected from the Help menu.

About

Clicking on the About command from the Help menu opens a dialog box which provides 

information on the EVADE program version and displays the NIOSH disclaimer (Figure 52). 

Click OK to return to the EVADE program. 
57 

Figure 52. The informational dialog box that opens when About is selected from the Help menu.
58 

Menu Tabs

The menu tabs are located just below the menu bar in the upper left corner of the EVADE main 

window. The menu tabs open subwindows just below the tabs. When selected, these tab 

subwindows provide information and icon buttons to perform various actions Following are the 

available menu tabs (shown in Figure 53):

• Details

• Active Bookmarks 

• Active Files

• Notes

Figure 53. The information that is displayed on the Details tab.

Details

Clicking on the Details tab (Figure 53) opens a subwindow which provides information about 

the dust concentration data file. This is an informational tab only. No commands or preferences 

can be selected using this tab. The information listed includes: 

Date: The date in day, month, year format. 

Model: The model of the dust sampler being used, 1500-pDR, AM-510, or 1000-pDR.

Duration: The length of the video and dust files in hours:minutes:seconds (hh:mm:ss). 

Max: The maximum dust concentration encountered in the dust concentration data file. 

Max @: The time (in hh:mm:ss format) in which the maximum dust concentration occurs. 

Time: The elapsed time (in hh:mm:ss format) as the video and dust graph are played.

Units: The units of the dust concentrations in milligrams or micrograms. The 

concentration is either mg/m3 or μm/m3

. 
59 

Active Bookmarks

Clicking on the Active Bookmarks tab opens a subwindow which lists the five automatic 

bookmarks and any bookmarks that have been created by the user (Figure 54). The subwindow 

displays the following four columns: 

• #. This column displays the bookmark number. 

• Description. This column displays the descriptions of the five automatic bookmarks, 

which are automatically labeled Max# (for example, Max1 for bookmark 1, Max2 for 

bookmark 2, etc.). Also listed are the user-defined descriptions for bookmarks created by 

the user.

• Time. This column displays the location where the bookmark occurs in the data and 

video files. 

• Reading. This column displays the dust concentration reading at the bookmark location 

in μg/m3

, mg/m3, PPM, or % Concentration depending upon the units selected. 

Once more bookmarks are created such that the bookmark list fills the subwindow display, a 

scroll up and down bar will appear on the right side of the interface. Click on the bar and move 

the vertical bar up or down to scroll up or scroll down through the bookmarks. Clicking on a 

bookmark highlights the bookmark, and the video screen and dust data graph advance to the 

bookmark location. 

Delete Bookmarks

To delete a bookmark: 

1. Right-click on a bookmark to display a dialog box with one option, Click to DELETE 

this Bookmark. 

2. Click on this option to delete the selected bookmark. 
60 

Figure 54. The Information displayed on the Active Bookmarks tab.

Active Files 

Clicking on the Active Files tab (Figure 55) opens a subwindow that lists the files used by 

EVADE for the present dust exposure analysis. This is an informational tab only. No commands 

or preferences can be selected using this tab. The information listed includes: 

Directory: Lists the directory of the active files being used by the EVADE software.

Video: Lists the filename of the active video file being used. 

Data: Lists the filename of the active dust concentration data file being used.

Bookmark:Lists the filename of the active bookmark file being used. 

Additionally, exported bookmark files, screenshot files, and saved Notes files used for the 

current analysis will be listed in this area.
61 

Figure 55. Information displayed on the Active Files tab.

Notes

Clicking the Notes tab opens a subwindow that allows the user to enter notes during the dust 

exposure analysis (Figure 56). To enter a note, just begin typing in the subwindow below the 

Notes tabs. Above this open area are six icon buttons, described next. Upon exiting EVADE, any 

notes are automatically saved to the default filename, which is described in the following Save 

As section.

Figure 56. Example notes typed in the subwindow area below the Notes tab.
62 

Icon buttons on the Notes Tab:

Starting on the left side of the menu bar in the Notes subwindow, the icon buttons are: 

• Save As. Clicking on the Save As button opens the Save As window (Figure 57). The 

default file name displayed is the name of the video file with an rtf extension. Anything 

written in the Notes Tab will be automatically saved to this file name in rtf format. This 

default file will be overwritten automatically. You can edit the filename in this window if 

desired, to prevent overwriting previous notes or to make changes. Subsequent Save As 

default file names will include _V1 such that the filename will have the format 

filename_V1.rtf; the _V1 will increase to _V2, _V3, etc. as additional saves are 

completed. When EVADE is exited and re-opened, the EVADE program will display the 

notes from the original default filename (videofilename.rtf).

Figure 57. Display of the Save As dialog box when the Notes tab is selected

• Open RTF. Clicking on the Open RTF icon button (second icon from the left) allows 

you to open other previously created note files. A dialog box will open that allows the 

selection of a note file to be opened and displayed in the Notes tab. You can select the rtf

file to open in the Notes tab. Opening an existing note file will clear any previous notes 

entered into the Notes menu tab. 
63 

Figure 58. The Open dialog box that opens after clicking the Open RTF button 

under the Notes tab.

• Place or Insert Frame Time. Clicking this icon button enters the time corresponding to 

the location of the vertical green bar on the dust data graph into the Notes subwindow 

(see the time displayed in green in Figure 58). Subsequent clicks of the Place icon will 

enter additional times which will be different from the original entered time if the video 

is playing.

• Bold, Italic, and Underline. These buttons are used to format the text similar to text 

formatting in a word processing program. 

• Print. Clicking on the Print icon opens the Print dialog box which allows you to send the 

notes to a printer (Figure 59).
64 

Figure 59. Display of the Print dialog box from the Notes tab.
65 

Action Buttons

The action buttons are located on the left side of the main EVADE window below the tab 

subwindow area where information from the menu tabs is displayed. The action buttons can be 

used as shortcuts to conduct their specified operation. The following is a description of each 

button. 

Open File

Clicking on the Open File action button (Figure 60) displays the Open dialog box which allows 

you to open a previous dust exposure analysis (a shortcut instead of selecting the File menu and 

the Open command). The acceptable file types are the dcf files. When the Open dialog box 

opens, the displayed default directory is the EVADE directory. Other directories can be searched 

by browsing the directory box at the top of the Open dialog box. Selecting a dcf file will allow an 

evaluation using the previously associated dust concentration data and video files. (See the Open 

Command section in this document for additional information on the Open command.) 

Figure 60. The Open File action button (circled).
66 

New Project

Clicking on the New Project action button (Figure 61) is the same as selecting File from the 

menu bar and then selecting the New Project command. The New Project command opens the 

Create New EVADE Project dialog box (Figure 62), allowing you to create a new dust exposure 

analysis.

Figure 61. The New Project action button (circled).

Figure 62. The Create New EVADE Project dialog box when the New Project icon 

button is selected.
67 

Play

Clicking on the Play action button (Figure 63) starts the video playback and allows you to 

conduct the dust exposure analysis for the job occupation. You can also select Play from the 

Playback menu on the menu bar. 

Figure 63. The Play action button (circled).
68 

Pause

Clicking on the Pause action button (Figure 64) stops the video at its current location. Clicking 

on the Play icon button will restart the video at the currently stopped location. You can also 

select Pause from the Playback menu in the menu bar. 

Figure 64. The Pause action button (circled).
69 

Stop

Clicking on the Stop action button will stop the video playback and reset the video and dust 

concentration graph to the beginning (Figure 65). Clicking on the Play icon button will restart 

the video, but it will restart at the beginning. You can also select Stop from the Playback menu 

in the menu bar.

Figure 65. The Stop action icon button (circled).
70 

Audio On/Off

Clicking on the Audio On/Off (or Mute) action button (Figure 66) will toggle between the sound 

being on or off. Clicking on this button will have no effect if the sound was turned off during 

video recording. You can also select Audio On/Off from the Playback menu in the menu bar. 

Figure 66. The Audio On/Off (or Mute) icon button (circled).

Zoom Bar

A Zoom bar (Figure 67) is located directly above the action buttons. Sliding the bar horizontally 

to the left or right will change the X-axis scale of the dust data graph. Following are ways to use 

the Zoom bar to read the dust concentration data graph: 

• Sliding the Zoom bar to the right will shorten the X-axis scale resulting in the dust data 

being displayed over a short interval. The dust data will look very condensed. 

• Sliding the bar to the left will lengthen the X-axis scale resulting in the dust data being 

displayed over an expanded interval. Lengthening the X-axis scale will allow you to 

better conduct the dust exposure analysis as you will more easily follow the individual 

real-time dust concentrations. 

• Another method that can be used to expand or contract the scale of the x-axis is to use the

scroll button on the mouse while the cursor is located in the dust data concentration 

graph. 
71 

Figure 67. The Zoom bar and Options button (circled).

Options Button

Clicking on the Options button to the right of the Zoom bar opens the Graph Options dialog box

(Figure 68). See the Graph Options section in this document for detailed information on the 

Graph Options dialog box. 

Figure 68. Display of the Graph Options dialog box when selecting the Options button 

to the right of the Zoom Bar.
72 

Graph Viewing Area

The graph viewing area, located at the bottom of the main EVADE window (Figure 69), contains

the dust concentration data as a line plot. The graph contains the following features: 

• The blue line in the graph is the dust concentration data. 

• The X-axis of the graph contains the timeline of the video file in hours:minutes:seconds

format. 

• The Y-axis contains the dust concentrations in either μg/m3 or mg/m3, PPM, or % 

Concentration, depending on the units selected. 

• An important feature of the graph is the green vertical line. This green line indicates the

current time and position of the video and dust concentrations. The current time is 

highlighted by the time display outlined in the x axis. The reading above the green 

vertical line just above the graph is the dust concentration at that moment. The video 

displays the current action occurring at the green vertical line. 

• The red vertical lines are the bookmarks. There are five automatic bookmarks selected at

the five highest dust concentrations. These bookmarks are labeled Max1, Max2, Max3, 

Max4, and Max5. 

The graph will automatically scroll during video playback, showing the current dust 

concentration on the graph coordinated with the current action being displayed on the video. 

To fast forward or fast reverse the video and dust concentration data graph together, do one of

the following: 

• Use the slider bar directly below the video display dragging it to the left or right.

• To fast forward, left-click on the dust data graph and hold down the mouse click while 

dragging the mouse to the left. To fast reverse, left-click on the dust data graph and hold 

down the mouse click while dragging the mouse to the right. 

Do one of the following to expand or decrease the X-axis scale of the dust concentration graph: 

• Place the mouse cursor in the graph area and scroll the mouse forward with the mouse 

wheel to increase the X-axis scale of the graph. Scrolling backwards with the mouse 

wheel decreases the X-axis scale.

• Sliding the zoom bar to the right decreases the X-axis scale, while sliding it left increases 

the X-axis scale.
73 

Figure 69. The EVADE main window after either the New Project or Open command 

under the File menu is used to set up a new dust exposure analysis.

Video Display Area

The video display, located just above the dust concentration graph (Figure 69), shows the current

actions in the video that correspond to the dust concentration at the green vertical bar on the 

graph. Fast forwarding or fast reversing is accomplished by placing the cursor on the dust 

concentration graph and left-clicking the mouse while dragging the dust concentration data graph

as previously mentioned for the dust data graph 

Fast forward or fast reverse through the video and dust concentration data can also be 

accomplished through the use of the slider bar located directly below the video display (Figure 

70). Left-clicking on the slider bar and dragging it to the right will fast forward the video and 

corresponding dust concentration data. Dragging the slider bar to the left will fast reverse the 

video and corresponding dust concentration data. 
74 

Figure 70. Display showing the location of the slider bar below the video display.

Another way to fast forward or fast reverse through the video is to use the left or right arrow 

keys on the keyboard. The right arrow key will advance the video and graph approximately 10 

seconds each time the key is pressed. The left arrow key will reverse the video approximately 10 

seconds each time the key is pressed. 
75 

Data File: EVADE’s Universal Format

EVADE’s universal format data file is a four-column file format which allows you to input data 

from sources that cannot normally be read by EVADE. The four columns of EVADE’s universal

format data file are shown in Figure 71, in the following order (from left to right): data point #, 

date, time, and concentration. 

Figure 71. A screenshot of a dust concentration file in EVADE’s universal format 

opened in WordPad.

EVADE’s universal file format is a comma delimited (csv) file and does not contain any header

information. This file can easily be created in Microsoft Excel as long as the resulting file is 

saved as a csv file.

When opening a new EVADE analysis, the software will automatically detect this universal 

format file. Once detected, a dialog box will open (Figure 72) which contains the following input

fields:

• Instrument model. This field provides a blank space where you input the instrument 

model number or identification number. In the example, “test” is used for the instrument 

model number. 

• Measurement units. In this field, you click in the checkbox to select the units of the dust 

concentration data. You can select one of the following options: % concentration, PPM, 

ug/m3 or mg/m3

. This selection allows EVADE to display the concentration in the proper 

units. 

The units ug/m3

 and mg/m3 are the common units of concentration for dust sampling. 

The units % concentration and PPM are offered to allow the user to use EVADE to 

analyze exposure sources for other substances (e.g., gas and fumes). The user is 

responsible for obtaining the concentration data for the other substances to be analyzed

and knowing the proper units of the data. Unit conversion between ug/m3 and mg/m3 is 

available in EVADE. However, there is no unit conversion available between % 

concentration and PPM. 
76 

Figure 72. The dialog box that opens when EVADE’s universal file format is detected

with the dust concentration data file.

Editing Dust Concentration Data Files

The dust concentration data file downloaded from the three real-time datalogging aerosol 

monitors (pDR-1000, pDR-1500, or AM-510) or in universal format is directly input in EVADE 

which allows display of the dust concentrations and the dust concentration graph during 

playback of the video. There may be times that the data may need to be edited, such as editing 

for negative dust concentration values, truncating dust data files that are longer than video files 

or modifying the start time to coincide with the video start time. To maintain file integrity, it is 

not recommended to edit the header information in the file. Microsoft Excel does not allow for 

ease of editing of the csv data file because saving as a csv file in Excel removes the column 

width formatting.

WordPad or Notepad can be used to edit the dust concentration data files. WordPad will allow 

saving the edited data file with the correct columnar format as a text file (txt), Notepad will allow

saving the edited data file with the correct columnar format as a print file (prn). It is important 

that the file be saved as a csv file. This can be accomplished easily by adding the extension csv at 

the end of the file name when saving the file. For example, Figure 73 displays a typical pDR1500 dust concentration file opened in WordPad. The header information is located in the first 24

lines of the file with the dust concentration data listed beginning on line 25. 

To edit the data file, open the data file to be edited in WordPad or NotePad. At this time any 

edits to the file can be completed. For example, if correction for the negative value of respirable 

dust concentration is needed, make the edits by seeking the negative value. Delete the negative 

sign in front of the dust concentration and replace it with a space.
77 

Changing the start time of the dust data file is more complex. If the start time of the data file 

needs to be changed, entire data lines can be deleted or added until the correct start time is listed

underneath the header information. It is important that the entire line be added or deleted while 

maintaining the line format (correct number of characters/line). Additionally, in the header 

information there is a line labeled “number.” The actual number in this line will need to be 

changed to reflect the actual number of data points/lines in the file.

Once the edits are complete, the data file can be saved. It is best to save the newly edited file

with a new name to ensure the original file does not become corrupted. When saving the new

file, save it as a csv file, not as a txt or prn file.

Figure 73. A typical pDR-1500 data file displayed in WordPad.

 
78 

Troubleshooting

This section includes two examples of problems you might encounter while using the EVADE

software, and actions for resolving these situations are provided. 

Program works as expected, but no video is displayed

If the program appears to be functioning normally, dust and video data are loaded, but no video 

is displayed, the most likely cause is a missing or incorrect video codec. There are several 

possible solutions to this problem. 

If you have not already done so, try installing the DivX or Xvid codec (see the Installing the 

EVADE Software Program section in this document for details), or install the software that came

with your camera.

If this does not fix the problem, verify that the video file can be played back in Windows Media 

Player. First, launch Windows Media Player from the Start menu, then locate your video file and

drag-and-drop the video file onto the Windows Media Player window. If the video does not play,

it’s possible the file is damaged, or the video codec used by the file is not supported by the 

installed codecs. Try playing other video files from the camera in Windows Media Player; if 

none of them display video during playback, try uninstalling and reinstalling the camera’s 

software and/or the DivX or Xvid codec. 

If the video plays in Windows Media Player, but not in EVADE, it’s possible that one of the video

codecs installed on the system is incompatible with EVADE. Information about what codecs are in

use can be viewed by opening the Help menu and choosing Video Playback Details which will 

display a list of the active codecs being used by EVADE. If any third party codecs show up here, it

may be necessary to uninstall them and install DivX, Xvid, or another codec.

Another solution to correct this video problem is to convert the avi video file into a wmv file. 

This can be accomplished using separate third-party software. The EVADE video display is 

based upon the Windows Media Player and should play the wmv file.

Video playback works initially and then stops moving

In some cases, most often after scrolling quickly from one location to another or rapidly 

playing/pausing, the video playback can freeze and refuse to play/seek to a new location. In most 

cases this can be fixed by stopping the video and pressing Play again from the Playback menu. 

If this does not fix the problem, close the program by clicking on Exit from the File menu, and 

restart EVADE.

If this happens frequently, it may be due to the video codec being used (such as DIVX, XVID, 

etc.). You could try uninstalling your current video codec and installing a different one. The codec 

XVID was found to perform better, eliminating video freezing, during initial software testing. 

Another cause could be that the SD card used in the video camera may not have sufficient 

read/write speeds which can result in dropped video represented by video stoppages during 

playback. Use an SD card of class 6 or higher which has higher read/write speeds to prevent 

dropped video. 
elivering on the Nation’s promise: 

afety and health at work for all people 

rough research and prevention 

o receive NIOSH documents or more information about 

cupational safety and health topics, please contact NIOSH 

elephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO 

TY: 1–888–232–6348 

DC INFO: www.cdc.gov/info 

visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh 

r a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to 

IOSH eNews by visiting www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews. 

D 

s 

th 

c : 

r 

o 

T 

o 

T 

T 

C 

o 

F 

N 

S A F E R • H E A L T H I E R • P E O P L E TM 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delivering on the Nation’s promise:
 

safety and health at work for all people
 

th rough research and prevention
 

To receive NIOSH documents or more information about 

occupational safety and health topics, please contact NIOSH : 

Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO 

TTY: 1–888–232–6348 

CDC INFO: www.cdc.gov/info 

or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh 

For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to 

NIOSH eNews by visiting www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews. 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014-133 

S A F E R • H E A L T H I E R • P E O P L E TM