LCS Laboratory provides ready-to-use sampling kits for workplace air quality testing. These kits follow standard industrial hygiene practices and are intended to help collect reliable samples for laboratory analysis. They are professional-grade tools, so some basic familiarity with sampling procedures is recommended.
This article explains how to assemble a sampling train for collecting total particulates (total dust) using NIOSH Method 0500. For this setup, we supply a portable air sampling pump calibrated to 2 L/min, flexible tubing with a cassette holder, and a 37 mm filter cassette.
Start by removing the two protective stoppers (red and blue) from the cassette. The inlet side is labeled “INLET” (shown in the left image above). The outlet side has a “wagon wheel” pattern. During sampling, air enters through the inlet, passes through the internal filter where dust is collected, and exits through the outlet. The tubing from the pump will connect to the outlet side.
Next, take the cassette holder (shown in the upper right image) and locate the round support plate.
Place the cassette into the holder with the inlet side facing downward. Feed the connector through the support plate and insert it into the outlet side of the cassette, as shown in the right image above. The cassette assembly is now complete.
Connect the free end of the tubing to the sampling pump. Once connected, the sampling train is ready. Turn on the pump using the power switch on the front panel.
Attach the pump to the worker’s belt and position the cassette holder in the worker’s breathing zone. Make sure the cassette inlet is facing downward during sampling. The system is now ready to collect a total dust sample.
If you need sampling equipment or laboratory analysis for total particulate testing, please contact LCS Laboratory. ©
