Comparison of Fine Particle Measurements from a Direct-Reading Instrument and a Gravimetric Sampling Method

Details

• Personal Author:
  Christiani, David C. ; Herrick, Robert F. ; Kim JY ; Magari SR ; Smith, Thomas J.
• Description:
  Particulate air pollution, specifically the fine particle fraction (PM2.5), has been associated with increased cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality in general population studies. Occupational exposure to fine particulate matter can exceed ambient levels by a large factor. Due to increased interest in the health effects of particulate matter, many particle sampling methods have been developed In this study, two such measurement methods were used simultaneously and compared. PM2.5 was sampled using a filter-based gravimetric sampling method and a direct-reading instrument, the TSI Inc. model 8520 DUSTTRAK aerosol monitor. Both sampling methods were used to determine the PM2.5 exposure in a group of boilermakers exposed to welding fumes and residual fuel oil ash. The geometric mean PM2.5 concentration was 0.30 mg/m3 (GSD 3.25) and 0.31 mg/m3 (GSD 2.90)from the DUSTTRAK and gravimetric method, respectively. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient for the gravimetric and DUSTTRAK PM2.5 concentrations was 0.68. Linear regression models indicated that log, DUSTTRAK PM2.5 concentrations significantly predicted loge gravimetric PM2.5 concentrations (p < 0.01). The association between log(e) DUSTTRAK and log, gravimetric PM2.5 concentrations was found to be modified by surrogate measures for seasonal variation and type of aerosol. PM2.5 measurements from the DUSTTRAK are well correlated and highly predictive of measurements from the gravimetric sampling method for the aerosols in these work environments. However, results from this study suggest that aerosol particle characteristics may affect the relationship between the gravimetric and DUSTTRAK PM2.5 measurements. Recalibration of the DUSTTRAK for the specific aerosol, as recommended by the manufacturer, may be necessary to produce valid measures of airborne particulate matter. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Asthma Construction Industry Environmental Exposure Lung Occupational Health Respiratory Function Tests Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Surveys And Questionnaires
• Keywords:
  Airway Obstruction Bronchial Asthma Construction Industry Construction Workers Exposure Levels Lung Function Occupational Health Questionnaires Respiratory System Disorders Spirometry
• ISSN:
  1545-9624
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  1
• Issue:
  11
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20029121
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Hyg 2004 Nov; 1(11):707-715
• Contact Point Address:
  Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2005
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19960930
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• End Date:
  20000929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f1765d35726703898fd0a803bc076d52177f857e786c87b1d6c0832caabc1de1fb6350a6b7301339521a760d75cef1e908641b652811e9d0d520ab940932e96b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/190173/cdc_190173_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 392.71 KB ]