Theoretical investigation of the interrelationships between stationary and personal sampling in exposure estimation

In exposure estimation, personal sampling is the method of choice as it is a nearby representative of the contaminant concentration in the breathing zone. Due to the versatility of the stationary sampling in obtaining much higher sensitivity, in its adaptability to telemetering observations, it may also be an attractive sampling method for many circumstances. However, the two sampling methods differ in many theoretically important ways that go beyond the obvious differences. The theoretical investigation of the stationary and personal sampling methods vis-à-vis sampling for exposure estimation shows that the area sampling can be used to represent personal sampling under restricted conditions. Under the restricted conditions, an area of concentration within specified bounds may be determined in relation to a reasonably well-defined source. The extension of the theory to multiple or ill-defined sources pose potential complications that may be intractable through a theoretical analysis. These limitations and restrictions are inherent to the underlying premises of the two methods; therefore they are not amenable to easy correction. Even though these restrictions may suggest only a limited role for area sampling in exposure assessment, the theory shown also suggests areas of further applied and theoretical research to extend the proper use of area sampling in exposure assessment.