What formula relates minimum volume sampling to detection limits and permissible exposure limits?

The relationship between minimum volume sampling, detection limits, and permissible exposure limits (PEL) is centered on ensuring that the sampling effort is sufficient to detect an important concentration of a substance while also adhering to its regulatory limits.

The correct formulation states that the minimum volume of air to be sampled should equal the detection limit divided by the permissible exposure limit. This reflects the practical need to confirm that any sample collected can accurately indicate whether the concentrations in the workplace air exceed acceptable limits.

When using this formula, if the detection limit is higher than the PEL, the resulting minimum sampling volume will be lower, indicating that it would be acceptable to collect less air in order to achieve reliable results. On the other hand, if the detection limit is low relative to the PEL, this may necessitate collecting larger volumes to ensure that the results are both meaningful and compliant.

This relationship underscores an essential principle in industrial hygiene: that to ensure compliance and worker safety, sampling strategies must be methodically designed around the detectable concentrations of hazardous substances in relation to accepted exposure thresholds. By structuring the formula this way, it provides a clear guideline for practitioners in determining necessary sampling volumes to meet health and safety standards effectively.