A calibration program for Rotorod samplers.
BACKGROUND
Despite widespread use in the United States, the need for calibrating Rotorod Samplers on a regular basis has not been demonstrated.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this present investigation was to inspect Rotorods that had been operating in the field to determine whether they conformed to the manufacturer's operating specifications.


METHODS
Allergists who own Rotorods voluntarily returned their devices to the manufacturer for calibration over the course of two successive winters. The speed of each device's motor was measured with a stroboscopic tachometer.


RESULTS
Of the 89 devices examined, ten were found to be operating at the manufacturer's exact speed specification (2400 RPM) and another 31 were within 5%. The remaining devices deviated by more than 5% from the prescribed speed or possessed motors that would not operate.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors underscore the importance of calibrating Rotorod Samplers to maintain data quality.
Frenz
D A
DA
Multidata, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305-1533, USA.
Elander
J C
JC
D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis*; D000486:Allergy and Immunology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002138:Calibration; D006801:Humans