Surface Sampling in Occupational Hygiene: Guidelines & Considerations

The Significance of Surface Sampling in Occupational Hazard Evaluation

Industrial hygienists play a crucial role in evaluating occupational hazards, and one of the key areas they explore is surface sampling. Surfaces in the workplace can reveal essential information about various aspects, such as air contamination, potential dermal exposure, the source of re-entrained agents, and the effectiveness of workplace controls. Designing a surface sampling program is vital to ensure the data collected is consistent and reliable.

Challenges and Considerations in Surface Sampling Programs

Guidance in surface sampling is often lacking, requiring hygienists to make decisions independently. A notable example of the significance of surface sampling is the evaluation of United States Postal Service buildings after the Bacillus anthracis release in 2001. This incident prompted research into standardizing surface sampling methods. Recent developments, like the ACGIH's Threshold Limit Values-Surface Limits and the inclusion of "Surface Sampling Guidance" in the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM), have emphasized the importance of surface sampling in occupational health and safety.

Key Considerations for Effective Surface Sampling

Surface sampling presents challenges due to its variability and uncertainty, but industrial hygienists can make informed decisions by considering factors like collection methods, wetting agents, and sampling techniques. The choice of these elements depends on the target agent and the surface characteristics. Communicating effectively with analytical laboratories is essential to ensure reliable results. The selection of sample numbers and locations is also critical, impacting the representativeness of the data.

Leveraging Resources for Informed Surface Sampling

​The new NMAM chapter on surface sampling consolidates various resources and standards, offering industrial hygienists a valuable reference for designing effective surface sampling programs. It highlights the importance of understanding collection efficiency, the impact of different agents and surfaces, and the significance of random and targeted sampling. The chapter also identifies gaps in surface sampling information, indicating the need for ongoing research and development in this field. To make informed decisions in occupational health and safety, industrial hygienists should consider the guidance provided in this chapter and utilize available resources and tools from organizations like AIHA.

References

Nauman, B.D. "Setting Surface Limits (TLV-SLs)", OECD OEL Workshop (October 2022).
Government Accountability Office: “Anthrax Detection: Agencies Need to Validate Sampling Activities in Order to Increase Confidence in Negative Results” (April 2005).
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene: “Accuracy of Professional Judgments for Dermal Exposure Assessment Using Deterministic Models” (March/April 2023).
NIOSH: “Surface Sampling Guidance, Considerations, and Methods in Occupational Hygiene,” in the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods, 5th ed. (PDF, August 2022).
The Synergist: “What’s on Your Workplace Surfaces? Surface Sampling, Consensus Standards, and Laboratory Analysis” (August 2020).

Reference:
KENDRA BROADWATER, Letting Surfaces Tell a Story - New Guidance from NIOSH on Surface Sampling, https://synergist.aiha.org/202310-niosh-surface-sampling