Recent Advances in Occupational Exposure Assessment of Aerosols

Abstract

Exposure science is underpinned by characterization (measurement) of exposures. In this article, six recent advances in exposure characterization by sampling and analysis are reviewed as tools in the occupational exposure assessment of aerosols. Three advances discussed in detail are (1) recognition and inclusion of sampler wall deposits; (2) development of a new sampling and analytical procedure for respirable crystalline silica that allows non-destructive field analysis at the end of the sampling period; and (3) development of a new sampler to collect the portion of sub-300 nm aerodynamic diameter particles that would deposit in human airways. Three additional developments are described briefly: (4) a size-selective aerosol sampler that allows the collection of multiple physiologically-relevant size fractions; (5) a miniaturized pump and versatile sampling head to meet multiple size-selective sampling criteria; and (6) a novel method of sampling bioaerosols including viruses while maintaining viability. These recent developments are placed in the context of the historical evolution in sampling and analytical developments from 1900 to the present day. While these are not the only advances in exposure characterization, or exposure assessment techniques, they provide an illustration of how technological advances are adding more tools to our toolkit. The review concludes with a number of recommended areas for future research, including expansion of real-time and end-of-shift on-site measurement, development of samplers that operate at higher flow-rates to ensure measurement at lowered limit values, and development of procedures that accurately distinguish aerosol and vapor phases of semi-volatile substances.

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“…Particle size distribution information is also added ( Table 7 ), noting that, depending on size distribution and concentration, the deviation in the particle concentration number measured by the different instruments can be up to 50% [ 30 ]. For NO dust collection sampling, cassette wall losses should be reported; in conductive cassettes, the wall losses for respirable dust have been reported to be up to 56% as median wall deposits [ 37 ]. Size distribution reporting can be shortened with values of a fitted log-normal distribution that further simplifies the data reporting and applicability.…”

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“…The Li mass fractions of these tourmalines vary over three orders of magnitude. Homogeneity tests by SIMS demonstrated that the 7 Li/ 6 Li and 18 O/ 16 O isotope ratios were constant within AE2.2 and AE0.2& (1SD), respectively, at sub-ng test portion masses. Reference values reported for d 18 O, D 17 O and d 7 Li in these tourmaline RMs were based on results for bulk mineral analyses undertaken at several independent laboratories.…”

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“…(2015) . The Wall losses of SC.1.106 and GK2.69 sampler is not reported but for other respirable samplers’ using conductive cassettes the median wall losses is shown to vary from 5% to 56% with a maximum loss varying from 12% to 93% ( Harper, 2020 ). In Koivisto et al .…”