Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Publication: Workplace Aerosol Measurement
Keywords: Aerosols Gravimetric analysis Sampling
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: January 2011
Authors: JC Volkwein, AD Maynard, M Harper
Book Chapter - January 2011
Download PDF Document (4.51 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20039343
Aerosol Measurement: Principles, Techniques, and Applications, Third Edition. Kulkarni P, Baron PA, Willeke K, eds., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011 Jan; :571-590
Traditionally, workplace aerosols have been categorized as fumes (fine particles and agglomerates generated through combustion and vapor condensation), smokes (solid and liquid particles arising from incomplete combustion), dusts (solid particles generated through mechanical means), sprays (liquid aerosols with relatively large particle sizes, usually produced through mechanical means), and mists (liquid aerosols with finer particles, generally produced through condensation or atomization) (Vincent 1995). These definitions tend to be used as descriptors rather than discrete classifications, and when considering measurement and health effects their use can be somewhat misleading. For example, a size selective sampler will not differentiate between a fume, smoke, or mist, and the distinction between health effects arising from a fume and a submicrometer dust can be somewhat blurred. Workplace aerosols present potential health impacts through ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact, although it is the inhalation route that is of prime importance when considering aerosol measurement. Early workplace measurement (Walton and Vincent 1998) relied on particle number as the dominant metric with devices such as the koniometer (Le Roux 1970; Hewson 1996), impinger (Greenburg and Smith 1922), and thermal precipitator (Green and Watson 1935; Hamilton 1956) being used to collect samples and optical microscopy used to count numbers of particles. Although exposure to fibers is still assessed on a particle number basis, current sampling and analysis methods are dominated by the use of aerodynamic sizing of the aerosol followed by collection on filters and mass analysis (gravimetric, or by chemical analysis for specific elements or compounds). Mass is a suitable metric for assessing the dosage of systemic poisons, for example metals or pesticides, but it may be less suitable for assessing dosage for other end points. The main reason that mass is used is simply that gravimetric or chemical analysis is more accurate and more amenable to automation and instrumental analysis. Workplace aerosol measurement, while similar to other areas of aerosol measurement, differs somewhat in application and circumstance. In most cases the bulk aerosol composition is known or can be deduced from the processes or products in use. The mass concentrations involved are typically an order of magnitude greater than those in the general environment. Finally, sampling is carried out specifically for assessing human exposure, rather than characterizing the aerosol itself or the physical or chemical processes associated with it. While philosophies and approaches may differ, there is a great deal of commonality between methods used in the workplace, and those used in other areas of aerosol measurement. Thus, techniques and applications described elsewhere in this book will frequently be directly relevant to workplace sampling. Chapters 6 to 10 and 14 are particularly pertinent, providing detailed information on approaches to aerosol monitoring, filter collection, inertial, gravitational, centrifugal and thermal sampling, and direct-reading techniques. Chapters 23, 24, 26, and 27 on nonspherical particle measurement, bioaerosol measurement, ambient aerosol sampling, and aerosol exposure measurement are all relevant to the workplace. In this chapter, the emphasis is on the basic sampling philosophies and methods used on a routine basis in the workplace and the application of direct-reading monitors in workplace aerosol measurement.
Image of publication Workplace Aerosol MeasurementBook Chapter - January 2011
Download PDF Document (4.51 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20039343
Aerosol Measurement: Principles, Techniques, and Applications, Third Edition. Kulkarni P, Baron PA, Willeke K, eds., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011 Jan; :571-590
See Also
Benchmarking Longwall Dust Control Technology and Practices
Characterizing Exposures to Airborne Metals and Nanoparticle Emissions in a Refinery
Comparing Measurements of Carbon in Diesel Exhaust Aerosols Using the Aethalometer, NIOSH Method 5040, and SMPS
Determining the Spatial Variability of Personal Sampler Inlet Locations
A Handheld Electrostatic Precipitator for Sampling Airborne Particles and Nanoparticles
In-depth Survey Report: Control Technology for Environmental Enclosures - The Effect of Wind Speed Upon Aerosol Penetration Into an Enclosure at Clean Air Filter, Defiance, IA
Portable XRF Analysis of Occupational Air Filter Samples from Different Workplaces Using Different Samplers: Final Results, Summary and Conclusions
Rock Dusting Considerations in Underground Coal Mines
Sonic Anemometer Airflow Monitoring Technique for Use in Underground Mines
Use of Vacutainers for Collection of Mine Atmosphere Samples
Page last reviewed: October 25, 2016
Page last updated: October 25, 2016
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue