Operating Instructions



                                                         863 Valley View Road, Eighty Four PA 15330 USA

                                          Tel: 724-941-9701 Fax: 724-941-1369 e-mail: skctech@skcinc.com









                     Button Aerosol Sampler

                      Catalog No. 225-360

The patented SKC Button Aerosol Sampler* is a reusable filter

sampler with a porous curved-surface sampling inlet designed to

improve the collection characteristics of inhalable dust (<100 µm

aerodynamic diameter�) including bioaerosols for total (non-

viable plus viable) microbial count.



While closely following the ACGIH/ISO

sampling criteria for inhalable particulate mass

at 4 L/min, the Button Sampler's design also

minimizes wind sensitivity, provides superior

filter collection uniformity and low intersample

variation, and can be used in any orientation.

Sample analysis for inhalable dust is performed

gravimetrically using NIOSH Method 0500. Met-

als can be analyzed using direct-reading tech-

niques (e.g., NIOSH Method 7702). Fungal spore                                        SKC Button Aerosol

                                                                                                Sampler

analysis includes microscopy, immunoassay,

or polymerase chain reaction (PCR).



� Very large particles (>100 µm) are thought to be less

  inhalable, but may enter the inlets of some samplers by projection or sedimentation. The

  Button Aerosol Sampler design minimizes collection of these particles.



Performance Profile

                      4 L/min

Flow Rate:

                      The Button Sampler closely follows the ACGIH/ISO

                      inhalability curve at 4 L/min. This provides optimum

                      sampling. Sampling efficiency is maintained within ± 30% at

                      flows ranging from 2 to 5 L/min

                      Sampling inlet: conductive stainless steel

Construction:

                      Body:           aluminum

                      Support screen: stainless steel

                                            select as specified by the method�

                      25 mm

Filters:

                      Inhalable dust:       Gravimetric (GR)

Analysis:

                      Fungal spores:        Epifluorescence microscopy, immunoassay,

                                            or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

                      Metals:               X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)

* Patent Nos. 5,954,845 and 5,958,111

� Back pressure on Teflon filters can vary within the same lot.

Operation

Wear gloves and use forceps when handling filters.



1. Place a 25 mm filter in the conductive plastic transport case and weigh.

   Record weight.

2. Unscrew the inlet of the sampler counterclockwise until it comes off.

3. Remove the weighed filter from the transport case and place it on top of the

   support screen inside the sampler.

4. Place the Teflon O-ring on top of the filter.

5. Replace the inlet and very gently turn clockwise until moderately tight.



Caution: Excessive tightening of the inlet section can twist and tear the filter.





                                                             Collar Clip







                                                                   Body

                   ;;;;;

                   ;;;;;

                   ;;;;;

                   ;;;;;

                   ;;;;;

                   ;;;;;









          Cap                   Teflon             Support

                                          Filter                O-ring

                      Inlet

                                O-ring



                                                             Outlet Plug









Calibration

1.   Using flexible tubing, connect the outlet of the

     Button Sampler to the inlet of a sampling pump.

2.   Place the calibration adapter outlet onto the Button

     Sampler inlet, and connect the calibration adapter

     inlet to a primary standard calibrator.

3.   Calibrate to 4 L/min following the instructions in

     the pump and calibrator operating instructions.

4.   Disconnect the calibrator and calibration adapter.                    Button Sampler

                                                                           with Calibration Adapter

     Replace the filter used to set the flow with a fresh

     weighed filter for sample collection.



Note: If using the Button Sampler with protective shield for abrasive blasting

sampling, calibrate the Button Sampler without shield using the Calibration

Adapter. Following calibration, push shield onto sampler inlet and sample.



Sampling

1. Ensure the flow rate has been calibrated (see Calibration).

2. Using flexible tubing, connect the outlet of the Button Sampler to the inlet of

   a sampling pump such as a 224-XR Series Universal Sampler.

3. For personal sampling, clip the Button Sampler onto a worker’s collar or

   pocket near the breathing zone. Clip the pump onto the worker’s belt or

   place it in a protective pouch. Start the pump and record the start time,

   worker location, and flow rate.

4. For area sampling, position the Button Sampler to avoid cross-drafts and

   direct projection of the particles into the inlet.

5. At the end of the sampling period, stop the pump and record the stop time.



Sample Shipment

1. When sampling is complete, very gently unscrew the sampler inlet and use

   forceps to remove the Teflon O-ring.

2. Using forceps, carefully remove the filter from the sampler.

3. If gravimetric analysis is to be employed, place the filter in the conductive

   plastic transport case. If an analytical technique is to be used, place the filter in

   a sealed glass vial to eliminate losses during transport.

4. Ship plastic transport case or glass vial with pertinent sampling information to

  an accredited laboratory for analysis.



Analysis

Dependent upon the hazard of interest, samples taken with the Button Sampler can

be analyzed using gravimetric analysis, analytical techniques such as x-ray fluo-

rescence, atomic absorption (AA), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and

growth culture, microscopy, and other assays for determination of fungal spores,

endotoxin, and bacteria.



If gravimetric analysis is used, weigh the filter inside the transport case and

subtract the preweight from the postweight. The net weight will be the dust

collected.



Using the Button� Sampler as an Abrasive Blasting Sampler

for Heavy Metals

SKC has designed a protective shield for the Button Sampler for use when

sampling in abrasive blasting environments. The shield protects the filter from

shredding or being overloaded by large particles thrust onto the sampler during

blasting. Tested by the U.S. Military during recent abrasive blasting operations, the

Button Sampler with protective shield (Abrasive Blasting Sampler for Heavy

Metals) withstood very high particle concentrations and provided recoverable

samples and meaningful exposure information. The shield is very easy to use,

simply push it onto the sampler inlet, and sample (see Sampling).



� The Button Sampler with shield is not suitable for sampling silica. Silica is commonly found in

abrasive blasting. However, sampling for silica using OSHA Method ID 142 requires a cyclone.



Using the Button Sampler to collect Inhalable Bioaerosols

The patented SKC Button Aerosol Sampler provides superior collection of

inhalable particles including bacteria and fungal spores. Use the Button

Sampler with a 25 mm membrane filter� such as MCE or PVC to collect

bioaerosols for total (viable plus non-viable) microbial count. Using SKC gelatin

filters with the Button Sampler increases the survival of stress-sensitive

microorganisms during sampling. The Button Sampler is used with a sample

pump capable of 4 L/min for personal inhalable particulate sampling following

the ACGIH/ISO criteria.



Caution: Gelatin filters dissolve when placed on an agar plate.

� Back pressure on Teflon filters can vary within the same lot.

References

Kalatoor, S., Grinshpun, S., Willeke, K., “New Aerosol Sampler with Low Wind Sensitivity and Good

Filter Collection Uniformity,� Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 29, No. 10 (1995), pp. 1105-1112.



Hauck, B., Grinshpun, S., Reponen, A., Reponen, T., Willeke, K., Bornschein, R., “Field Testing of New

Aerosol Sampling Method With a Porous Curved Surface as Inlet,� American Industrial Hygiene Associa-

tion Journal, Vol. 58, No. 10 (1997), pp. 713-719.



Aizenberg, V., England, A., Grinshpun, S., Willeke, K., Carlton, G., “Metal Exposures Among Abrasive

Blasting Workers at Four U.S. Air Force Facilities,� Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Vol.

15, No. 10 (2000), pp. 766-772.



Aizenberg, V., Grinshpun, S., Willeke, K., Smith, J., Baron, P.A., “Performance Characteristics of the

Button Personal Inhalable Aerosol Sampler,� AIHA Journal, Vol. 61, May/June 2000, pp. 398-404.





Optional Accessories

Description                                                                         Catalog No.

Button Sampler                                                                      225-360

Button Sampler Calibration Adapter                                                  225-361

Protective Shield for abrasive blasting sampling                                    225-366

Transport Case for 25 mm filters, conductive plastic                                225-67



Filters (25 mm)�                                                                    Catalog No.

Glass fiber, 1.0 µm, pk/500                                                         225-702

Teflon (PTFE) with PMP support (Teflo®)�, 3.0 µm, pk/50                             225-1711�

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 5.0 µm, pk/100                                            225-8-04

Mixed cellulose ester (MCE), 1.2 µm, pk/100                                         225-1912

Gelatin, presterilized, pk/50                                                       225-9551



� A pore size of 1.0 µm or higher is recommended for use with the Button Sampler             due to back

  pressure limitations of personal samplers.

� Back pressure on Teflon filters can vary within the same lot.









Cleaning

Using mild soapy water, clean all parts of the SKC Button Sampler before further

sampling. The Button Sampler can be brushed and/or wiped with a clean dust-free

tissue, air dried, blown dry, or wiped with isopropyl alcohol. Take particular care

in cleaning the first O-ring.









Notice: This operating instruction may not address all safety concerns (if any) associated

with this product and its use. The user is responsible for determining and following the

appropriate safety and health practices and regulatory limitations (if any) before using the

product. The information contained in this document should not be construed as legal

advice, opinion, or as a final authority on legal or regulatory procedures.





                                                                             Form # 3780 Rev 0602