title: Development of the chemical exposure monitor with indoor positioning (CEMWIP) for workplace VOC surveys.
abstract: The purpose of this article was to research and develop a direct-reading exposure assessment method that combined a real-time location system with a wireless direct-reading personal chemical sensor. The personal chemical sensor was a photoionization device for detecting volatile organic compounds. The combined system was calibrated and tested against the same four standard gas concentrations and calibrated at one standard location and tested at four locations that included the standard locations. Data were wirelessly collected from the chemical sensor every 1.4 sec, for volatile organic compounds concentration, location, temperature, humidity, and time. Regression analysis of the photo-ionization device voltage response against calibration gases showed the chemical sensor had a limit of detection of 0.2 ppm. The real-time location system was accurate to 13 cm ± 6 cm (standard deviation) in an open area and to 57 cm ± 31 cm in a closed room where the radio frequency has to penetrate drywall-finished walls. The streaming data were collected and graphically displayed as a three-dimensional hazard map for assessment of peak exposure with location. A real-time personal exposure assessment device with indoor positioning was practical and provided new knowledge on direct reading exposure assessment methods.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Applied Research and Technology , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: a Division of Applied Research and Technology , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: a Division of Applied Research and Technology , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Mead
authors.affiliation: a Division of Applied Research and Technology , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kovein
authors.affiliation: b University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Voorhees
authors.affiliation: c MeasureNet Technology, Ltd. , Cincinnati , Ohio.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Brandes
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
keywords: 3-D hazard map; direct-reading method (DRM); exposure assessment; photo-ionization detector (PID); real-time location system (RTLS); volatile organic compounds (VOCs)