HAZWOPER 40 - Lesson 12: Air Monitoring Questions
With All Correct Answers
Lesson Description correct answer -Work areas may be contaminated by
harmful gases, vapors, and particulate in the air to which workers in those
areas can be exposed. To prevent such exposure, workers need to be able to
identify and measure those substances in the air. The Air Monitoring lesson
provides an in-depth look at air monitoring devices, systems, and methods. It
begins with a discussion on how to select which of the two air
monitoring/sampling methods to use and then focuses on determining the
type of samples to collect. Next, the lesson describes the types of air
monitoring equipment and explains in detail how each works, including
calibrating the equipment. The lesson concludes with a detailed discussion of
personal sampling.
Learning Objectives correct answer -At the completion of this lesson, you
will be able to:
• Describe air monitoring sampling methods.
• Identify and measure airborne contaminants.
• Name and describe types of direct-reading instruments.
• Explain how colorimetric indicator tubes (detector tubes) work.
• Describe how aerosol monitors work.
• List the types of radiation monitors and detectors.
• Outline and meet calibration requirements for radiation detectors.
• Use personal samplers to monitor work environments for the presence of
dangerous gases, vapors, and particulate.
• Outline the components of the two types of sampling systems and
compare/contrast active and passive samplers.
• List (and use) the factors for sampling pump selection.
• Identify (and use) different types of radiation dosimeters to measure
personal dose exposures to radiation.
Introduction correct answer -Because beta and gamma are the most
commonly found forms of radiation at hazardous waste sites, Geiger-Mueller
counters are often used to take measurements before work may begin. After
this, personal monitoring often includes sampling immediate surroundings,
meaning workers and their environment, although it can be difficult to decide
,just what to sample. Just as there are differing types of radiation, there are
divergent types of dosimeters for measuring forms of radiation -- some direct
reading and some whose results require laboratory analysis.
When monitoring for radiation, instruments should be checked in "clean"
areas, just as would be done with any other instrument. Moisture may cause a
reduction in measurement readings, and other interference may come in the
form of radio-frequencies, age of the equipment, or even high dust levels.
Routine maintenance is necessary to keep instrumentation at its peak since
even the slightest concentrations above or below acceptable atmospheric
levels can be dangerous to workers.
Lesson Focus
This lesson focuses on the following topics: correct answer -Part 1:
Sampling Methods
Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality
Sampling Methods
Air Monitoring Instruments Characteristics
Part 2: Types of Direct-Reading Instruments
Combustible Atmospheres
Toxic Atmospheres
Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation Monitoring
Calibration Requirements for Radiation Detectors
Part 3: Personal Samplers
Active Samplers
Passive Samplers
Radiation Dosimeters
Sampling Methods
The atmosphere must be sampled in a potentially contaminated work area to
identify and quantify (i.e., measure) any gases, vapors, or particulates to
which workers may be exposed. Such information is obtained by two
, methods: correct answer -• Area sampling, which involves placing
collection devices within designated areas and operating them over specific
periods of time.
• Personal sampling, which involves collecting samples from within the
breathing zone of an individual, sometimes by the individual wearing a
sampling device.
Once the sampling method (i.e., area or personal) has been selected, the type
of sample desired must be determined. Prevailing conditions, the scope of site
operations, and the intended use of test data dictate the type collected. Direct-
reading instruments utilize instantaneous or grab-type samples collected over
brief periods of time. They are useful if you want to examine stable
contaminant concentrations or peak levels of short duration. Instantaneous
samples require highly sensitive analytical methods due to the small sample
volume collected.
Air Monitoring correct answer -Because airborne contaminants may
present a significant threat to workers' health, an essential part of the health
and safety program (HASP) at a hazardous waste site cleanup is identifying
and measuring those contaminants. The data obtained from air monitoring
instruments is useful for:
• Assessing health risks (public and waste site worker)
• Selecting personal protective equipment
• Determining areas where protection is needed
• Determining actual or potential effects on the environment
• Selecting actions to mitigate (control) the hazards safely and effectively
• Determining the effectiveness of decontamination activities
Air Monitoring Instruments Characteristics correct answer -The sampling
instrument or system chosen depends on a number of factors, including:
• Instrument or system efficiency
With All Correct Answers
Lesson Description correct answer -Work areas may be contaminated by
harmful gases, vapors, and particulate in the air to which workers in those
areas can be exposed. To prevent such exposure, workers need to be able to
identify and measure those substances in the air. The Air Monitoring lesson
provides an in-depth look at air monitoring devices, systems, and methods. It
begins with a discussion on how to select which of the two air
monitoring/sampling methods to use and then focuses on determining the
type of samples to collect. Next, the lesson describes the types of air
monitoring equipment and explains in detail how each works, including
calibrating the equipment. The lesson concludes with a detailed discussion of
personal sampling.
Learning Objectives correct answer -At the completion of this lesson, you
will be able to:
• Describe air monitoring sampling methods.
• Identify and measure airborne contaminants.
• Name and describe types of direct-reading instruments.
• Explain how colorimetric indicator tubes (detector tubes) work.
• Describe how aerosol monitors work.
• List the types of radiation monitors and detectors.
• Outline and meet calibration requirements for radiation detectors.
• Use personal samplers to monitor work environments for the presence of
dangerous gases, vapors, and particulate.
• Outline the components of the two types of sampling systems and
compare/contrast active and passive samplers.
• List (and use) the factors for sampling pump selection.
• Identify (and use) different types of radiation dosimeters to measure
personal dose exposures to radiation.
Introduction correct answer -Because beta and gamma are the most
commonly found forms of radiation at hazardous waste sites, Geiger-Mueller
counters are often used to take measurements before work may begin. After
this, personal monitoring often includes sampling immediate surroundings,
meaning workers and their environment, although it can be difficult to decide
,just what to sample. Just as there are differing types of radiation, there are
divergent types of dosimeters for measuring forms of radiation -- some direct
reading and some whose results require laboratory analysis.
When monitoring for radiation, instruments should be checked in "clean"
areas, just as would be done with any other instrument. Moisture may cause a
reduction in measurement readings, and other interference may come in the
form of radio-frequencies, age of the equipment, or even high dust levels.
Routine maintenance is necessary to keep instrumentation at its peak since
even the slightest concentrations above or below acceptable atmospheric
levels can be dangerous to workers.
Lesson Focus
This lesson focuses on the following topics: correct answer -Part 1:
Sampling Methods
Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality
Sampling Methods
Air Monitoring Instruments Characteristics
Part 2: Types of Direct-Reading Instruments
Combustible Atmospheres
Toxic Atmospheres
Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation Monitoring
Calibration Requirements for Radiation Detectors
Part 3: Personal Samplers
Active Samplers
Passive Samplers
Radiation Dosimeters
Sampling Methods
The atmosphere must be sampled in a potentially contaminated work area to
identify and quantify (i.e., measure) any gases, vapors, or particulates to
which workers may be exposed. Such information is obtained by two
, methods: correct answer -• Area sampling, which involves placing
collection devices within designated areas and operating them over specific
periods of time.
• Personal sampling, which involves collecting samples from within the
breathing zone of an individual, sometimes by the individual wearing a
sampling device.
Once the sampling method (i.e., area or personal) has been selected, the type
of sample desired must be determined. Prevailing conditions, the scope of site
operations, and the intended use of test data dictate the type collected. Direct-
reading instruments utilize instantaneous or grab-type samples collected over
brief periods of time. They are useful if you want to examine stable
contaminant concentrations or peak levels of short duration. Instantaneous
samples require highly sensitive analytical methods due to the small sample
volume collected.
Air Monitoring correct answer -Because airborne contaminants may
present a significant threat to workers' health, an essential part of the health
and safety program (HASP) at a hazardous waste site cleanup is identifying
and measuring those contaminants. The data obtained from air monitoring
instruments is useful for:
• Assessing health risks (public and waste site worker)
• Selecting personal protective equipment
• Determining areas where protection is needed
• Determining actual or potential effects on the environment
• Selecting actions to mitigate (control) the hazards safely and effectively
• Determining the effectiveness of decontamination activities
Air Monitoring Instruments Characteristics correct answer -The sampling
instrument or system chosen depends on a number of factors, including:
• Instrument or system efficiency
