Safety Tidbit 6.10 – Breathing Zone Sampling
This Safety Tidbit was written by my student, Mr. Matt Heinichen – a junior in the Safety Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA graduating Spring 2022.
Today I’d like to discuss the use of personal breathing zone samples of gases. The type of sampling required by OSHA’s substance-specific standards is called personal breathing zone sampling. Personal breathing zone air sampling tends to use two instruments: passive monitors or personal sampling pumps. These samplers measure air with 6-9 inches of their head.
During personal breathing zone sampling, the worker wears the sampling equipment throughout the workday. The IH attaches the pump to the worker’s belt and then clips the collection media to the employee’s shirt collar in his breathing zone.
Sampling for different chemicals requires different types of sampling equipment, such as cassettes or media samples. When sampling for gases, a sampling media is required based on the substance. Sampling for gases can differ from sampling for substances such as silica dust, as other sampling equipment is required.
In conclusion, personal breathing zone sampling is an effective method of determining the exposure concentration of gases to a worker. Some people assume that only Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) must conduct personal breathing zone sampling. However, as long as you have adequate equipment and knowledge, you don’t need to be a CIH to perform personal breathing zone air sampling.
I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan
P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know
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