Analytical method for the determination of alveolar fibres – Phase-contrast optical microscopy method

Translation of DGUV Information 213-531 (former BGI 505-31 or ZH1/120.31)

 


Method 02 – withdrawn

Sampling is carried out by separation of particles in air drawn by means of a pump and collected onto a membrane filter. Analysis is performed by phase-contrast optical microscopy (PCM) after filter preparation.

Method tested and recommended by the German Social Accident Insurance for the determination of airborne respirable fibres having a length of L >5 µm, a width of D <3 µm and a length‐to‐width‐ratio of L/D >3:1 in work areas after discontinuous sampling.

Principle

A pump is used to draw a measured volume of air through a membrane filter. Collected fibres are counted by means of phase-contrast optical microscopy after filter preparation.

Limit of detection (LOD)

Limit of detection depends on the sample. Under favourable conditions (low dust concentration, no coarse dust particles) the limit of detection is for a sample volume of approx. 34 litres per cm² filter area 30 000 fibres/m³, and of approx. 68 litres per cm² 15 000 fibres/m³.

Issue

April 2004

Withdrawn

March 2013

The complete measuring method is available in the Wiley Online Library: Method for the determination of alveolar fibres – Phase‐contrast optical microscopy method (Air Monitoring Methods, Volume 11, 2009).

You can reach the German-language version of the article with a single click on the flag-symbol.