Comparison of sampling methods to detect airborne concentrations of semi-volatile organic compounds

Many occupational related diseases due to inhalation hazards are associated with where a contaminant may deposit in the lung. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has defined the inhalable size of particles that may enter the nose or mouth. The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler was developed to sample only the inhalable size of particles. Pesticides are chemicals that may exist both as a droplet (particle) and as a vapor. ACGIH has designated compounds where exposure may occur from both the vapor and particle phase with the Inhalable Fraction and Vapor (IFV) designation. Many chemicals such as pesticides are given the IFV designation. The OSHA Versatile Sampler (OVS) is commonly used to sample pesticides and others with the IFV designation. The OVS sampler captures both particles and vapors together, though was not designed to sample only the inhalable size of particles. The IFV Pro Sampler (SKC Ltd.) is designed to sample only the inhalable size of particles while having a sorbent tube to capture both particles and vapor simultaneously. This study evaluated the ability of the SKC IFV Pro sampler to sample inhalable particles by comparing it to the IOM sampler, as well as its capabilities as a particle and vapor sampler in the collection of liquid spray aerosol through comparison to the OVS sampler. This study shows that the IFV Pro samples similarly to the IOM sampler, while outperforming the OVS sampler showing the OVS may be under sampling when sampling the inhalable size fraction of particles and vapor.