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Reviews of workplace and laboratory samplers

Narrative literature reviews were undertaken of the peer reviewed scientific literature on personal samplers used in workplace and laboratory settings. The workplace based literature was compared to the requirements of EN13205-5, to identify potential gaps in the experimental requirements with respect to this standard. Sampler performance and comparison studies in laboratory settings were reviewed so that current knowledge could be synthesised.  The key findings for the workplace based study evaluation were:

  • 2004-2020: Only 22 papers according to strict selection criteria;
  • Not possible to identify any discernible trends from the studies, such as correction factors;
  • Not all samplers used by industry were included;
  • All papers mentioned EN13205-5 but the protocol was not strictly followed;
  • Wall deposits were not considered in the majority of papers;
  • Information on samplers used was limited, for example cassette materials and flow rates were not always included;
  • Specific developed samplers or sampling systems were often not properly identified.

The key findings from the laboratory-based studies evaluation were:

  • 1994-2021: Only 25 papers according to strict selection criteria;
  • Not been possible to compare samplers across the studies;
  • Specific samplers or sampling systems were not properly identified;
  • Information can be lacking on a number of aspects, including:
    - Aerosol dispersion (mono/polydisperse) and GMs and GSDs
    - Flow rates used not provided or different from nominal
    - Wall deposits were not considered in the majority of  papers
    - Substrate handling procedures (i.e. stored in desiccator, weighed in climate controlled room) often not provided
    - Six studies provide no details on substrates used
    - Details on the determination of the test aerosol concentration not provided in nine studies

This programme of work resulted in these peer reviewed publications:

  • Hanlon J, Galea KS, Verpaele S. Review of Published Laboratory-Based Aerosol Sampler Efficiency, Performance and Comparison Studies (1994–2021). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(1):267. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010267
  • Hanlon J, Galea KS, Verpaele S. Review of Workplace Based Aerosol Sampler Comparison Studies, 2004–2020. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(13):6819. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136819
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