When NIOSH evaluates possible hazards in a workplace, we use samplers to measure workplace exposures.
We might sample throughout your work-shift or while your doing one task.
We use samplers for measuring chemicals and other substances in the air.
The air quality sampler has three parts. The pump is a box like device, usually worn along the belt line or in a special
vest. It weighs about the same as a quart of milk, but it is smaller and not as bulky.
The train is a plastic tube connecting the pump to the cassette, the cassette holds the
filter. We put the filter near your mouth or as we call, your breathing zone. The filter
captures substances in the air that you are breathing. We also use samplers for measuring
noise. The noise sampler works like the air sampler, instead of drawing air through a
filter, it uses a microphone to measure sound. Don't worry it does not record words or other
sounds, just how loud they are. We can put samplers on people doing lots of different
activities. Some loud and some quiet. Some active and some calm. The samplers are light
weight and easy to manage. The tube runs along the back so it doesn't get int he way and
you may hear the soft sound of the pump drawing in air. Now that you know how we measure workplace
exposures, you can see that we can do our work without interfering with yours. All you
have to do is wear a sampler while you do your usual work. We will send the results
from your individual sampler to you at the address you provide. The data we collect from
these samplers could help make your workplace safer. Let us know if you still have questions
and thank you for helping us out by wearing a sampler.