title: Re-characterization of some factors influencing aerosol sampling in the workplace: results from field studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Workplace aerosol sampling is challenged by its influencing factors and methodological limitations. Some factors, including blank setting, electrostatic effect, sample mass gain, and limit of detection (LOD), were studied to characterize them further and thereby to improve the sampling method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through a field sampling in two shipyards and by an analysis of a large amount of dust data from different industries, the influencing factors were comparatively studied with emphasis on their effect on the final result.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After calibration with field blanks, the concentrations of most sample types in the shipyards decreased significantly, varying by as much as -24.3% of the final measurements. After laboratory blank calibration, dust concentrations increased or decreased without a definite change trend. With a variation of -1.8%, only the measurements of Chinese "total dust" sampled with polypropylene filters were significantly influenced by the electrostatic effect. The LOD coincidence rate was only 17.3% for American respirable dust in different industries and 12.2% for respirable particles collected by normal flow rate samplers (FSP2) in the shipyards. The latter increased to 73.9% when high flow samplers (FSP10) were used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was suggested that field blank calibration was the predominant influencing factor in comparison with electrostatic effect and laboratory blank adjustment. The LOD coincidence rate was too low for reliable sampling, and this might be improved by use of high flow samplers.
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
authors: Fengxia
authors: F
authors: Hu
authors: Limin
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: Zhenglun
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Jiaojun
authors: J
authors: Liang
authors: Jichao
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: Geshi
authors: G
authors: Mao
authors: Gulin
authors: G
authors: Yi
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Zhao
authors: Jiabing
authors: J
authors: Wu
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Koob
authors: Weihong
authors: W
authors: Chen
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Dahmann
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D002681:China; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D012767:Ships; D014896:Welding; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust