What is the purpose of isokinetic sampling in industrial hygiene?

The purpose of isokinetic sampling in industrial hygiene primarily focuses on the efficient collection and measurement of particulate matter in the air. Isokinetic sampling maintains the air flow within the sampling device at the same velocity as the surrounding air. This ensures that the particulate matter entering the sampler is representative of the bulk air stream, allowing for an accurate assessment of airborne contaminants.

When conducting air quality assessments, it's crucial to collect samples that accurately reflect the concentration and composition of pollutants present in the environment. Isokinetic sampling helps achieve this by preventing any alterations in the velocity of the sampled air, which might otherwise lead to biased data such as the preferential collection of smaller or larger particles.

While analyzing gas air stream proportions and assessing air quality are important aspects of industrial hygiene, they do not specifically address the primary function of isokinetic sampling, which is focused on the technical execution of particulate matter collection.