Entry characteristics of practical workplace aerosol samplers in relation to the ISO recommendations

In recent years, new sets of criteria for health-related aerosol sampling in workplaces have been proposed by, for example, the International Standards Organizations (ISO) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). It is therefore timely to examine the performances of workplace aerosol samplers, both instruments that have been used in the past and ones which are beginning to emerge, in the light of these recommendations. This paper describes the results and conclusions from a study of dust samplers with a view to their possible applications in the mining industry. Their performances are assessed with special reference to their entry efficiencies, based on the philosophy contained in the most up-to-date ISO recommendations, in particular with regard to the concept of inhalability (or inspirability).