Apparatus And Method For Sampling Of Airborne Asbestos And Other Particles Released From A Surface

Abstract

A sampling apparatus includes a housing defining a test chamber with an opening for contacting a test surface to expose at least a portion the test surface to the test chamber. A movable agitator within the test chamber contacts the test surface and agitates the test surface to release material from the test surface. The apparatus further includes an inlet and an outlet communicating with the test chamber and defining an air flow path through the chamber. At least one sample cassette may be supported near the outlet to collect a sample from the air flow, including material released from the surface into the test chamber.

1 . A sampling apparatus, comprising:
 a housing including at least one sidewall defining a test chamber, said test chamber including an opening adapted to confront a test surface and expose at least a portion of the test surface to said test chamber;   an agitator disposed within said test chamber, said agitator being selectively movable within said test chamber and adapted to contact the test surface during movement thereof;   an inlet communicating with said test chamber;   an outlet communicating with said test chamber;   said inlet and said outlet defining an air flow path through said test chamber;   a support member associated with said outlet and adapted to support at least one sample cassette in the air flow path through said test chamber; and   an actuator operatively coupled to said agitator, said actuator adapted to move said agitator along a predefined path within said test chamber;   said actuator comprising a threaded rod and a motor operatively coupled to said threaded rod, said motor operable to rotate said threaded rod in opposite angular directions to thereby move said agitator in opposite linear directions within said test chamber;   wherein said agitator is operatively coupled to said threaded rod to permit movement in a direction normal to the test surface as said agitator moves over the test surface.   
   
   
       2 . The sampling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one sample cassette coupled to said support member;   said at least one sample cassette positioned proximate said outlet.   
   
   
       3 . A sampling apparatus, comprising:
 a housing including at least one sidewall defining a test chamber, said test chamber including an opening adapted to confront a test surface and expose at least a portion of the test surface to said test chamber;   an agitator disposed within said test chamber, said agitator being selectively movable within said test chamber and adapted to contact the test surface during movement thereof;   an inlet communicating with said test chamber;   an outlet communicating with said test chamber;   said inlet and said outlet defining an air flow path through said test chamber;   a support member associated with said outlet and adapted to support at least one sample cassette in the air flow path through said test chamber; and   a fan communicating with said inlet and providing a flow of air through said test chamber, between said inlet and said outlet, such that a positive pressure is developed throughout said test chamber between said inlet and said outlet.   
   
   
       4 . A method of sampling airborne material released from a test surface, the method comprising:
 exposing at least a portion of the test surface to a test chamber;   agitating the portion of the test surface within the test chamber to release material of the test surface;   providing a flow of air across the test surface; and   collecting a sample of the air from the test chamber.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein agitating the test surface comprises repeatably moving at least one tine across the test surface along a predetermined path. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein collecting a sample of the air from the test chamber comprises substantially simultaneously collecting samples of the air using separate sample cassettes. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 examining one of the sample cassettes while the portion of the test surface is exposed to the test chamber; and   evaluating the quality of the collected sample from the examined sample cassette.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein providing a flow of air across the agitated test surface comprises providing a laminar flow of air across the test surface. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein providing the flow of air across the test surface occurs while agitating the portion of the test surface. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein collecting the sample of the air from the test chamber occurs while agitating the portion of the test surface. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for sampling airborne material released from a test surface, the apparatus comprising:
 a test chamber including a first end, a second end disposed opposite said first end, and an opening adapted to confront a test surface and expose at least a portion of the test surface to said test chamber;   a threaded rod extending adjacent said test chamber between said first and second ends;   an agitator disposed within said test chamber, said agitator including a yoke operatively coupled to said threaded rod such that said agitator is selectively movable within said test chamber between said first and second ends by rotation of said threaded rod, said agitator including a plurality of tines adapted to contact the test surface during movement of said agitator within said test chamber;   a motor operatively coupled to said threaded rod, said motor operable to rotate said threaded rod in opposite angular directions to thereby move said agitator in opposite linear directions within said test chamber;   a control in communication with said motor and controlling said motor to selectively rotate said threaded rod in opposite angular directions;   an inlet at said first end of said test chamber;   an inlet conduit operatively coupled with said inlet for communication with said test chamber;   a fan operatively coupled with said inlet conduit and providing a flow of air to said test chamber through said inlet;   an outlet at said second end of said test chamber; and   a bracket associated with said outlet and adapted to support at least one sample cassette for sampling air flowing though said test chamber from said inlet to said outlet.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one sample cassette supported on said bracket. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a pump operatively coupled to said sample cassette and adapted to draw air from said test chamber into said sample cassette.