Air monitoring survey

Noll, K. E., and Miller, T. L., "Air Monitoring Survey Design." Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Ann Arbor, MI, 1977. 

There are seven basic steps in the design of an air monitoring survey ... 

The fifth step in the design of this air monitoring survey is determining the sampling and analytical methods to be used. The criterion generally used as an acceptable level of exposure to dioxin is in the very low picogram per cubic meter range. In order to monitor for the concentration of dioxin in ambient air at these levels, it is necessary to obtain sufficient sample volumes. 

The sixth step in the design of an air monitoring survey is the development of a quality assurance and quality control plan. This plan should include specific sampling procedures, calibration procedures and frequency, sample custody, analytical procedures, data reduction, internal quality control checks, performance and system audits, completeness, and corrective action. 

Health Physics Laboratory. The health physics laboratory is located at the entrance to the radiation sources controlled area (Figure 2). From this laboratory the access to the radiation sources area is monitored and controlled. The health physics laboratory is equipped with portable beta, gamma, and neutron survey meters of various designs and ranges to facilitate the area monitoring, air monitors for airborne contamination, and anticontamination equipment. It is equipped with monitors and alarms for the area radiation detectors, pool water level indicators, and access doors. It also has ready access to the counting equipment of the radiochemistry laboratory. 

We have conducted side by side tests using the CEA 555 Air Monitor and the Modified NIOSH P CAM 125 method in 19 actual field surveys of conventional homes, mobile homes, and offices over a one year period. The nineteen data points are graphically depicted in Figure 2. As can be seen, there is an excellent correlation of the Modified NIOSH P CAM 125 to the CEA 555 Air Monitor method. 

Much of the remainder of this chapter is devoted to a brief survey of analytical methods for most of the species mentioned above. A summary of instrumental techniques for air monitoring is presented in Table 5.31. 

Sloof, J.E., Wolterbeek, H.Th., 1991a. National trace-element air pollution monitoring survey using epiphytic lichens. Lichenologist 23, 139-165. 

Objective data means information such as air monitoring data from industry-wide surveys or calculations based on the composition or chemical and physical properties of a substance demonstrating the employee exposure to chromium (VI) associated with a particular product or material or a specific process, operation, or activity. The data must reflect work-place conditions closely resembling the processes, types of material, control methods, work practices, and environmental conditions in the employer s current operations. 

Information on occupational exposure to lead is obtained primarily from the National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) and industry surveys of workers. While occupational exposure is widespread, environmental monitoring data on levels of exposure in many occupations are not available. OSHA has established a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for lead of 50 pg/m3 for workplace air (OSHA 1991). NIOSH has estimated that more than 1 million American workers were occupationally exposed to inorganic lead in more than 100 occupations (NIOSH 1977a, 1978a). According to NOES, conducted by NIOSH between 1980 and 1983, an estimated 25,169 employees were exposed to tetraethyl lead (not used in gasoline since December 31, 1995) approximately 57,000 employees were exposed to various lead oxides mostly in non-ferrous foundries, lead smelters, and battery plants 3,902 employees were exposed to lead chloride and 576,579 employees were exposed to some other form of lead in the workplace in 1980 (NIOSH 1990). Workers who operate and maintain solid waste incinerators are also exposed to air lead levels as high as 2,500 pg/m3 (Malkin 1992). 

A survey of the environmental control and monitoring technology used in several experimental studies indicated significant limitations in experimental control capability. There are seven controlled-environment chambers or clean-room facilities in the United States for human exposure (community air pollution inhalation) from which studies have been reported. Another is under construction at the University of North Carolina in association with the epa at Chapel Hill. There are three chambers in Canada of similar design. 

In 1978, the emission of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) from an aluminum plant In the vicinity of Sundsvall, Sweden, was estimated to be about four times the total amount emitted from all the motor vehicles In that country. As might be expected, the result of this estimate caused considerable concern, and a survey of the air quality In the Sundsvall area was made In 1980-81. The program monitored concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and fluoride In ambient air, with samples being collected once each week. Concentrations of fluoride and meteorological data were measured by the aluminum company laboratory, while PAH concentrations were determined by the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU). 

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