AIHA currently supplies diffusion monitors from three manufacturers. The PAT Program does not specify a particular analytical method to be used. A laboratory should use the same procedures when analyzing the PAT samples that it would use when analyzing similar types of samples in normal operations. This allows the effectiveness of the analytical methods used by the laboratory to be tested. Except in instances where analytical problems are found, PAT samples should be rotated among all analysts performing similar analyses in the laboratory, results from only one analyst should be reported.
Laboratories have approximately six weeks after receipt of samples to submit results.
The results are evaluated, and all laboratories are screened for those with questionable performance. Each laboratory will be notified of its status prior to the next round of samples. AIHA assists laboratories in making corrections and modifications prior to the next round of sampling by making repeat samples available upon request. An AIHA industrial hygiene accredited laboratory is required to analyze and submit results for those PAT samples that are similar to the analytical work load of the laboratory, so not all laboratories will analyze all samples. Non-accredited laboratories that participate in the PAT Program analyze one or more of the samples.