Abstract
Performance standards for aerosol samplers are reviewed. Performance standards prescribe the allowable ranges of aerosol parameters measured under defined test conditions. The standards can be used to estimate the accuracy and precision of the data obtained with the sampler and can be used as the basis for the choice of a sampler for a specific purpose. Performance standards have been developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for PM-10 sampling and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists for size-selective particle sampling in the workplace, and are under development by the European Economic Community. The components of a sampler that affect its performance include the inlet, the particle size fractionator, the particle collector/sensor, the air mover, and the controls. A vital part of the performance standard is the set of tests that are specified to measure performance. These tests include measurements in a wind tunnel, in the laboratory, and in the field. The requirements for performance standards are continually changing. The present status and future needs are assessed. John, W.: Instrument Performance and Standards for Sampling of Aerosols. Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 8(4):251-259; 1993.