This work proposes to develop and test the performance of a low-cost, easy to use, disposable sampler to measure personal exposures to inhalable aerosols in the workplace. To improve the likelihood of future adoption by exposure assessors, the sampler will incorporate a redesign of the inlet cap of the 37-mm sampling cassette, the most commonly used particle sampler in the U.S. The sampler inlet will be designed to sample large particles with efficiency to match the international performance criterion for inhalable aerosol sampling. As such, the sampler will capture particles with the same efficiency as a worker's mouth and nose. This research will: (a) use computational fluid dynamics modeling tools to investigate how inlet geometries affect sampling efficiency, to optimize the sampler inlet, and to estimate an orientation-averaged sampling efficiency for the prototype sampler(s) to compare to the inhalable criterion; (b) investigate the sampling efficiency of the prototype sampler in a low-velocity wind tunnel and a calm-air chamber to quantify accuracy, precision, linearity, and internal losses, in controlled environments; and (c) field test and validate the sampler performance in three manufacturing settings and compare the sampling efficiencies to existing devices. Within the third aim, one of the worksites will examine both exposure and indicators of respiratory inflammation in the workers to examine whether exposures measured with the new inhalable sampler improve the measurements of association of health outcomes. This project addresses multiple NORA sectors (construction, manufacturing, refining, mining, and agriculture) as well as NORA Exposure Assessment cross-sector goals, including developing/improving methods to assess worker exposures to critical occupational agents and validation of these methods to provide and characterize their performance. The long-term outcome of this project includes the advancement of tools to improve exposure assessment evaluations. By increasing the adoption of physiologically-relevant exposure assessment tools, data-driven risk-based exposure limits for hazardous aerosols can be improved to protect worker health.

Public Health Relevance

This project will develop a low-cost, easy to use, disposable particle sampler that estimates how much dust is inhaled by a worker. This sampler will advance our understanding of biologically-relevant exposures and improve our ability to understand the risk of disease that results from occupational dust exposures. This information will empower decisions that can reduce exposures and prevent occupationally-related illness.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01OH010295-04
Application #
8875493
Study Section
Safety and Occupational Health Study Section (SOH)
Program Officer
Dearwent, Steve
Project Start
2012-07-01
Project End
2017-06-30
Budget Start
2015-07-01
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
785979618
City
Fort Collins
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80523
Vercellino, Robert J; Sleeth, Darrah K; Handy, Rodney G et al. (2018) Laboratory evaluation of a low-cost, real-time, aerosol multi-sensor. J Occup Environ Hyg 15:559-567
Stewart, Justin; Sleeth, Darrah K; Handy, Rod G et al. (2017) Assessment of increased sampling pump flow rates in a disposable, inhalable aerosol sampler. J Occup Environ Hyg 14:207-213
Anthony, T Renée; Cai, Changjie; Mehaffy, John et al. (2017) Performance of prototype high-flow inhalable dust sampler in a livestock production facility. J Occup Environ Hyg 14:313-322
Anthony, T Renée; Sleeth, Darrah; Volckens, John (2016) Sampling efficiency of modified 37-mm sampling cassettes using computational fluid dynamics. J Occup Environ Hyg 13:148-58
L'Orange, Christian; Anderson, Kimberly; Sleeth, Darrah et al. (2016) A Simple and Disposable Sampler for Inhalable Aerosol. Ann Occup Hyg 60:150-60