Equivalence factors for respirable- and total-dust sampling systems

Abstract

In industrial hygiene, "inhalables dusts" are increasingly replacing the concept of so-called "total dusts" when it comes to monitoring the exposure of workers to dusts that penetrate the respiratory system. While frequently used in the past, the total dust concept has always been tainted by a certain scientific ambiguity and a lack of definition, making it difficult to establish the relationship between analysis results and workers’ health. To ensure continuity in the evaluation of worker exposure and to obtain representative data from Québec industries, the results of an inhalable dust sampler were therefore compared with those of the total dust sampler currently used in Québec. On average, measurements of inhalable dust concentrations appear twice as high as traditional measurement results for total dusts. This project was also aimed at exploring the feasibility of a single sampling strategy for measuring inhalable, thoracic and breathable dusts with the Sierra cascade impactor. This feasibility was confirmed with the addition of a filter at the mouth of the device; however, it does not lend itself to routine use.

Produced Under this Project

Scientific Reports

Research of factors for comparing the inhalable dust and total dust sampling systems Research Report: R-231

Scientific Publications

Poussières inhalables ou poussières totales? La différence entre les définitions, l'échantillonnage et les résultats
Perrault G., Cloutier Y., Drolet D.
Source :
in Le partenariat en santé et sécurité du travail: une approche à développer : Congrès de l'Association québécoise pour l'hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail / AQHSST, (18e : mai 1996 : Hull, Canada), 1996, p. 131-136
Données minéralogiques et exposition professionnelle aux poussières dans les mines du Québec
Gagné L., Gérin M., Perrault G.
Source :
Travail et santé, vol. 12, no 1, 1996, p. S2-S6
Evaluation of different modifications to a personal impactor (Andersen series 290) for evaluating respirable and inhalable fractions
Cloutier Y., Drolet D., Perrault G.
Source :
in Colloque international : Poussières, fumées et brouillards sur les lieux de travail: risques et prévention (11-13 juin 2001 : Toulouse, France), 2001, p. 79-83
Comparisons of total and inhalable samples of wood dust
Perrault G., Cloutier Y., Drolet D.
Source :
in American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exhibition / AIHCE (May 18-24, 1996 : Washington, D.C.), 1996, p. 74
Evaluation of inhalable, thoracic and respirable dust concentrations from impactor sampling
Perrault G., Cloutier Y., Drolet D.
Source :
in American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exhibition / AIHCE (May 18-24, 1996 : Washington, D.C.), 1996, p. 50
Sampling of inhalable dusts
Perrault G., Drolet D., Cloutier Y.
Source :
in Association canadienne des pâtes et papiers (Avril 1995 : Toronto)
Le point sur les poussières inhalables: Échantillonnage, réglementation et pertinence toxicologique
Drolet D., Perrault G., Cloutier Y.
Source :
in Congrès de l'Association pour l'hygiène industrielle au Québec / AHIQ (15e : 5-7 mai, 1993 : Sainte-Adèle, Canada), 1993

Additional Information

Type: Project

Number: 0094-8540

Status: Completed

Year of completion: 1999

Research Field: Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention

Team:

Guy Perrault (IRSST)
Daniel Drolet (IRSST)
Yves Cloutier (IRSST)