Comparison of Sampling Positions when Measuring Personal Exposure to Solder Fume

• Published in: The Annals of occupational hygiene Vol. 49; no. 5; pp. 439 - 442
• Main Author: SIMPSON, A. T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.07.2005
• Subjects: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; breathing zone; Environmental Monitoring - instrumentation; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Equipment Design; Ergonomics. Workplace layout; Ergonomics. Workplace layout. Occupational psychology; Female; Gases; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Occupational medicine; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; resin acids; sampling; solder fume; Welding; resin acids; Welding; Samplings; Occupational exposure; Concentration measurement; breathing zone; Ambient air concentration; Sampling equipment; Ergonomics; Portable equipment; Sampling; Face; Fumes; Occupational medicine; Comparative study; solder fume
• ISSN: 0003-4878; 1475-3162; 1475-3162
• DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/meh107

A sampling device based on a telephone headset was developed and used to support a sampler close to the mouth during personal exposure monitoring of solder fume. In a field trial, it was compared with the established method of mounting the sampler on the arm of a pair of spectacles, and a linear correlation was evident between the two positions (slope 1.56 ± 0.05, r2 = 0.98). Although the headset sampler held the sampler closer to the breathing zone, experience showed that the spectacles position was less intrusive on the subject and allowed a more consistent and stable sampling position. On balance, the spectacles position was the preferred sampling location.