Guide to the SKC Air Sampling Catalogue | Air-Met Scientific

A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Use the SKC Catalogue for Air Sampling

The SKC Air Sampling Guides provides quality information based on OSHA/NIOSH/ASTM/EPA and HSE methods for over 2500 compounds. While the SKC catalogue can be quite daunting for those new to our profession or to others who have never seen it before,it really doesn’t have to be. In fact, once you understand how to use read the guides, the SKC Sampling Guide will become one of your greatest tools for air sampling.

Once you understand how to use this resource, users will easily be able to view agency reference methods, method sampling parameters, analytical method with a reference to the corresponding equipment in the catalogue for chemical hazards of interest. In this article, we will explain how to use the SKC Air Sampling Guide so that you can get the best out of this resource.

The Global SKC Catalogue is released every 2 years. The catalogue starts with a list of sample pumps and accessories in the SKC product range. For most applications, not all, a 5 l/min (litre per min) pump will do almost all your work. Both the AirCheck XR5000 or the Touch Pump Series will do the trick.

The SKC Catalogue also features a wealth of information on sample media, passive samplers, bioaerosol samplers and media for surface and dermal sampling application. So, with that said let’s look at the three guides that are within the catalogue. These are:

1. The Passive Sampling Guide
2. The HSE (UK) Methods Sampling Guide
3. The NIOSH/OSHA/EPA/ASTM (USA) Methods Sampling Guide

The VOC Chek 575 Series Sampling Guide

The first is the passive sampling guide. The guide starts with information regarding the validation of the 575 sampling badges and follows on with the various hazards that can be measured using passive sampling badges. SKC VOC Chek 575 Series Passive Samplers are available with sorbents such as activated carbon and Anasorb 747 that strongly retain the collected compounds and require solvent extraction for laboratory analysis.

It is important to keep in mind that all three guides can be read in a similar way, so let’s have a look at this.

HSE Method and NIOSH/OSHA/EPA/ASTM (USA) Methods Sampling Guides

The next two guides cover all other sampling medium contained within the catalogue. The only difference between the two is one is for the HSE Methods (UK Methods) and the other is for OSHA/NIOSH/ASTM Methods (US Methods). Once the decision has been made as to which method you will be sampling too, it’s just a case of looking up the correct sampling guide. As they are both a similar style, let’s look at the US version as an example to explain the table. 

Once you have chosen the method you are working to, columns volume, flow rate and time required to achieve that volume will show you the sampling requirements needed for that particular hazardous chemical while column 9 will specify the SKC collecting equipment required.

Let’s use benzene as an example.

Firstly, depending on which method of sampling you are using, locate benzene on the table. If you are doing a TWA sample, the table indicates that you will need a sample volume of 12L. To collect the required sampling volume indicated, you will be required to sample for 4 hours at 50ml/min. The collecting equipment required, according to the table, is part number 226-01. By going to page 50 of the SKC Global Catalogue, you will see that part 226-01 are Charcoal Sorbent Tubes. This will be the equipment required to sample for benzene.

The SKC Sampling Guide is a trusted and invaluable resource for all sampling professionals. By understanding how to correctly use the sampling guides, the catalogue can assist you with the method, sampling, and product selection for you field work.

As always, the Air-Met team are here to help should you require further training on the catalogue or to help you chose the correct equipment for your sampling needs.

Air-Met Scientific has been proudly distributing the SKC Air Sampling product range in Australia for more than 40 years. To receive a digital copy of the latest SKC Catalogue on USB, please fill out the form below. Alternatively, click here to download a copy.