Practical Considerations For Air Monitoring With Emphasis On Direct Reading Real Time Monitors

Occupational Hygiene Association of Ontario Spring Symposium By: Jamie Prince B.Sc, OHST, ROHT General Motors of Canada Limited

OUTLINE
What Can Be Measured Sampling Strategies Types of Sampling Equipment Examples of Real Time Monitors Advantages/Disadvantages of Real Time
Air Monitoring Real Time Air Monitoring Examples Conclusions

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL STATES
solids: dust, fibres, fume, smoke liquids: mist, aerosols gases: vapours
remember: gas

solid

liquid

7 TYPES OF CONTAMINANTS
Dusts- airborne solid particles ranging in size from
0.1 to 25 microns. Particles 5 microns and larger dont usually remain airborne to present an inhalation hazard.

Fumes- material from a volatized solid condenses

in cool air. Size of the particulate formed are less than 1 micron in diameter.

Smoke- from incomplete combustion of carbon

containing materials, its made up of carbon or soot particles. Can vary in size.

7 TYPES OF CONTAMINANTS
Aerosols- liquid droplets or solid particles, fine
enough to remain dispersed in air for a prolonged period. atmosphere.

Mists- liquid droplets suspended in the

Gases- are formless fluids that expand to fill

the space or enclosure in which they are confined.

Vapours- are the volatile form of substances

that are usually in the liquid or solid state at room temperature and pressure.

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL STATES
size: respirable (less than 10 m)
fibres (length & diameter) chemical charge (CrIII or CrVI) solubility (Ni) crystal structure (silica, talc) fibrous or non-fibrous polar/non polar

MIXTURES
decomposition products (smoke, etc.)
often have thousands of components

sometimes marker substances measured

(like CO)
if a marker is used, the TWAEV for the marker substance is not applicable!

can be sampled as a group (e.g. VOCs),

but usually no TWAEV

MIXTURES
Measuring each of the thousands of constituents in
decomposition products would be a chemists nightmare almost all of the constituents will be well below individual TWAEVs even summing the TWAEVs seldom exceeds summed TWAEV criteria Combinations: Vapour condensing on particles vapour absorbed by liquid aerosols liquid evaporating from aerosol/particulate

SO YOU WANT TO SAMPLE?

Then answer the 5 Ws and 3 Hs:
Why? What? Who? When? Where? How? How many? How long?

SAMPLING STRATEGIES WHY?

Reactive Sampling, Source Identification Employee Concerns: Whats causing the complaints/symptoms

Compliance Sampling, New Process, DSR

Proactive Sampling
Engineering Control Verification

ALTERNATIVES TO SAMPLING
Eliminate the source
Add engineering controls Use odour and irritation thresholds

Hazard mapping, use employee

experiences

Computer modelling

EXPOSURE CONTINUUM
source > path > exposure > uptake > target Try to move as far to the left of the continuum as possible (prevention!) Source: substitution, enclosure Path: ventilation evaluation, work practices Exposure: IH measurements Uptake: symptoms, blood/urine samples Target: clinical tests, diagnosis

SAMPLING STRATEGIES WHAT?

Type: bulk, area, personal Time: short term (CEV, STEV), long term
(TWAEV), sequential, grab (series) Method: quick and dirty (colourimetric), direct reading real time, official (NIOSH etc) Conditions: worst case, random (unbiased), staged (simulated), regular work shift. Number: one shot, statistically representative, cumulative exposures

WHO WHEN WHERE?

What workplace variables cause exposures to go up or down?

weather (season, temp, humidity, wind) doors & windows, cross drafts shift, production schedules, rates ventilation in other areas of plant housekeeping, traffic, activity levels individual work practices, man cooling fans

SAMPLING CONDITIONS
make sure important variables are
addressed in strategy keep records of conditions during sampling start & finish times production levels ventilation (doors, windows, local & general) workers opinion if sampling period is
representative of better than average, normal, worse than normal conditions

HOW? TYPES OF SAMPLING EQUIPMENT

Colourimetric (Draeger tubes, dositubes)
Passive Absorption Badges: Organic Pumps:
Vapours, formaldehyde, other gases and vapours
filter cassettes (with or without cyclones or impacters) for particulates, aerosols and fibers sorbent tubes, (charcoal, silica gel, specialized) for gases and vapours. Liquid samplers (impingers) for vapours, particulates, aerosols

 Particulates

TYPES OF REAL TIME AIR MONITORS

Total particulates/aerosols (data-logging): DataRam, Dust Trak Fibers: FAM (Fibrous Aerosol Monitor) asbestos FID and PID (data-logging) for organic compounds Inorganic gases and vapours, CO, CO2, mercury, H2S Paper Tape for isocyanates Lead Niton X-ray fluorescence Indoor Air Quality multi-function monitors

Gases/Vapours

HOW MANY?
How Many Samples Do You Need To Take? Compliance sampling needs a large number of representative samples over a long period of time use traditional sampling methods Worst case sampling may require only a few samples over a short period direct reading or real time may be required Type of hazard may determine how many and for how long peak exposures, length of peaks, short term acute hazards, does it come and go

HOW LONG?
Lowest detectable quantity Dont overload sample media Short sample period for acute hazards Chronic hazard may need full shift Peaks need data-logging, real time direct

reading or short term sequential samples IDLH for confined space needs immediate answer Leak detection needs direct reading

DISADVANTAGES OF LONG TERM SAMPLING

Analysis and Feedback time too long, chance of
exposing employees to hazardous levels Inability to answer employee concerns, continued refusal to work, loss of production Inability to Determine STEL and Ceiling Values, ie. short term maintenance jobs 90% of all long term samples were less than 10% of any EEG, however employees continued to complain, especially of irritation Ineffective use of Hygienists time

ADVANTAGES OF REAL TIME

Instant feedback of exposure levels to

hygienist and employees, ease of mind Employee trust, can see exposure on meter Ability to determine time vs concentration with data-logging instruments Ability to determine STEL and Ceiling Values Quick determination of how changes to process or engineering controls affect employee exposures More efficient use of hygienists time

DISADVANTAGES OF REAL TIME AIR MONITORS

Specificity of monitor Interpretation of results, employee
misunderstanding Interferences, CO, TOHCs , Water Vapour Method may not be accepted by Government Difficult or unable to Calibrate Assuming dust monitor detects all particle sizes equally well Cannot usually be used for compliance sampling, lead, isocyanates, silica, asbestos Accuracy

REAL TIME INSTRUMENTS

CENTURY SYSTEMS OVA TOHC RIKIN 411 CO2 MONITOR DRAEGER CO DATALOGGER MINIRAM, TP DATARAM TP DATALOGGER REUTER STOKES WIBGET GMD AUTOSTEP (CAP) ISOCYANATES TOXIRAE PID TOHCS SOLOMAT IAQ MONITOR

SEALER REMOVAL SOLVENT

INSTRUMENT- CENTURY SYSTEMS OVA Sealer removal from car in open area which solvent had lowest exposure levels FP and VP not useful

Solvent 4 or 5 recommended Solvent 4 chosen because of higher FP

solvent solvent solvent solvent solvent

1- 35-40 ppm peaks TWA 100 ppm 2--50-60 ppm peaks TWA 100 ppm 3--35-40 ppm peaks TWA 100 ppm 4--20-30 ppm peaks TWA 100 ppm 5---85-100 ppm peaks TWA 400 ppm

FLAT TOP CO
INSTRUMENT- DRAEGER CO DATALOGGER CO buildup suspected for new driving and parking procedures on flat top conveyor

Determined that new procedures did increase

CO levels data-logged in various areas ventilation on and off CO levels data-logged while different procedures were used for idling cars while parked

CO to hazardous levels in one area. Immediate ventilation system changes reduced maximum CO levels to non hazardous levels

10

Care Line CO Levels (02/28/97)

9

ppm CO

10 :3 0 10 :3 4 10 :3 8 10 :4 2 10 :4 6 10 :5 0 10 :5 4 10 :5 8 11 :0 2 11 :0 6 11 :1 0 11 :1 4 11 :1 8 11 :2 2 11 :2 6 11 :3 0 11 :3 4 11 :3 8 11 :4 2 11 :4 6 11 :5 0 11 :5 4 11 :5 8 12 :0 2 12 :0 6 12 :1 0 12 :1 4 12 :1 8 12 :2 2 12 :2 6 12 :3 0
Area sample between north and centre lines, south of Col. A1 126 Area sample between centre and south lines north of Col. A 126 Area sample between north and centre lines south od Col. A1 128 Area sample between centre and south lines north of Col. A 128

COAST CLUTCH BLOWOFF

INSTRUMENT-DATARAM AEROSOL MONITOR

Using compressed air to blow off and clean

Transmission parts. Does ventilated box and lower air pressure reduce exposures. Total particulates data-logged while blowing off parts in general work area TPs data-logged with part held in ventilated box Determined box increased exposures since exhaust in box too low, and blow back Lower air pressure decreased exposures

TP (mg/m3)

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Parts Blow-off Investigation

9: 10 :0 0 9: 10 :2 0 9: 10 :4 0 9: 11 :0 0 9: 11 :2 0 9: 11 :4 0 9: 12 :0 0 9: 12 :2 0 9: 12 :4 0 9: 13 :0 0 9: 13 :2 0 9: 13 :4 0 9: 14 :0 0 9: 14 :2 0 9: 14 :4 0 9: 15 :0 0 9: 15 :2 0 9: 15 :4 0 9: 16 :0 0 9: 16 :2 0 9: 16 :4 0 9: 17 :0 0 9: 17 :2 0

BLACK PRIME
INSTRUMENT-CENTURY SYSTEMS OVA Black prime with MEK applied to window openings on ventilated ramp, employees complain of irritation and odours How did casablanca fan speed and application method affect exposures MEK levels taken in BZ and general area with fans on high 3X higher than fans on low MEK peak levels taken In BZ while leaning over applied prime 4X higher than when furthest part of window was primed first Set fans to low speed, disabled rheostats Recd not to lean over applied prime

PAINT SPRAYING
INSTRUMENT- CENTURY SYSTEMS OVA Employees paint spraying rear of vehicle Long term test showed paint solvent exposures <5 ppm, but employees continued to complain of irritation and odours sampled BZ while spraying across from each other, found peaks of 200 ppm TOHC from overspray sampled BZ while staggering their spraying, found peaks below 10 ppm Recommended that paint sprayers in all booths stagger their paint spraying

METAL WORKING FLUIDS

INSTRUMENT- MINIRAM AEROSOL MONITOR Employees working on machining line complaining of irritation, all equipment ventilated Miniram used to survey BZ and general work area Levels in area rose slowly as machining progressed followed plume of mist back to one faulty filter after filter repaired, levels remained low Recommended preventative maintenance on filters of ventilation equipment

METAL WORKING FLUIDS

INSTRUMENT(S)- DATARAM AEROSOL MONITOR & TSI DUSTRAC Total Particulate Levels Required to Determine Need For Engineering Controls
Total Particulate Mapping of Component Manufacturing Plants on a 6mX 6m Grid. Results plotted on an Excel Spreadsheet. Chart of Exposure Levels (Contour) Printed on Overhead. Contour Chart Overlaid on Plant Layout. Areas of Higher Exposure Targeted for Improvement Engineering Controls installed Plant is Remapped to Determine Improvement

Conclusions
Is sampling necessary, can the problem be solved

another way? Ensure your sampling strategy is right. Real time air monitoring benefits include: ability to determine patterns of exposure ability to quickly evaluate engineering or process control changes reasonably determine potential of exposure to cause adverse health effects dollar savings from reduction of lab analysis and hygienists time being used more effectively