where: = tare weight of filter before sampling (mg),
= post-sampling weight of sample-containing filter (mg),
= mean tare weight of blank filters (mg),
= mean post-sampling weight of blank filters (mg),
= volume as sampled at the nominal flow rate (i.e., 1.7 L/min or 2.2 L/min).
EVALUATION OF METHOD:
1. Bias: In respirable dust measurements, the bias in a sample is calculated relative to the appropriate
respirable dust convention. The theory for calculating bias was developed by Bartley and Breuer
[10]. For this method, the bias, therefore, depends on the international convention for respirable
dust, the cyclones’ penetration curves, and the size distribution of the ambient dust. Based on
measured penetration curves for non-pulsating flow [1], the bias in this method is shown in Figure 1.
For dust size distributions in the shaded region, the bias in this method lies within the ± 0.10
criterion established by NIOSH for method validation. Bias larger than ± 0.10 would, therefore, be
expected for some workplace aerosols. However, bias within ± 0.20 would be expected for dusts
with geometric standard deviations greater than 2.0, which is the case in most workplaces.