Area Sampling Pumps
Area sampling pumps are a type of air sampling pump designed to sample within a certain area. Sampling pumps are used to draw air through a sample medium which collects specific types of airborne contaminants. Sample mediums such as cassettes, filters and cyclones, must be carefully chosen depending on the type of aerosol or gas that is the target for sampling. Area sampling plays a key role in assessing the types and concentrations of airborne contaminants in an area, allowing appropriate management strategies and control measures to be implemented to enhance worker safety and ensure regulatory compliance.
Common Area Sampling Pump Applications
Air sampling has a diverse range applications and is essential in many industries and occupations from construction sites to office work. Distinct from personal air sampling, which is used to measure an individual's exposure to airborne contaminants, area sampling is used to sample in a specific location. Area sampling therefore is used for different applications to personal air sampling.
Area sampling may be conducted for applications such as:
- Indoor air sampling - Indoor spaces from offices to tunnels are particularly prone to high concentrations of airborne contaminants if ventilation is poor. Area sampling can be used in a detailed assessment of indoor air quality.
- Fence line monitoring - Area sampling pumps can be used to collect air samples at the boundary of projects such as construction or mine sites to ensure that airborne contaminants are not infiltrating surrounding areas. This is particularly important when projects are near residential areas or sensitive environments and ecosystems.
- Asbestos sampling - Air sampling is an essential aspect of managing and controlling asbestos in the workplace. Area sampling is used to provide information relating to the effectiveness of control measures as well as assessing pre and post-removal airborne asbestos concentration. This is often paired with real-time dust monitoring which can indicate the overall concentration of dust in the atmosphere but does not identify the type of dust.
- Bioaerosol sampling - Mold, pollen and other biological airborne contaminants can have severe health impacts and may go unnoticed without air sampling procedures in place. Area sampling can be used to determine the concentration of specific types of bioaerosols using an appropriate sampling medium and technique.
These are just a few of the many applications of area sampling pumps. When selecting an area sampling pump it is essential to consider compliance requirements, the airborne contaminants of concern, the sampling medium required and to ensure the specifications of the pump align with the sampling procedure.
Trusted by hygienists and industry professionals, Air-Met Scientific’s range of area sampling pumps are available for sale and rental. Contact your local Air-Met Scientific office today to discuss with our teams your monitoring requirements.
