Portable Personal Monitors for Toxic Metal Aerosols

28 Portable Personal Monitors for Toxic Metal Aerosols--Environmental and Life Support Technologies, Inc., 12838 W. Adriatic Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80228-4301; (303) 987-1322 Mr. Clifford D. Jolly, Principal Investigator Mr. Clifford D. Jolly, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-97ER82369 Amount: $74,961 Risk of occupational exposure to toxic airborne metals and dusts exists due to the lack of on-site, real-time monitoring methods. Current personal sampling methods for the use, manufacture and abatement of toxic metals and toxic metal-containing materials are expensive and time-consuming; exposure data are not available until one to several days after exposures occur. This project consists of the development of analytical methods and portable instrumentation to allow airborne metals to be quantified on-site more quickly and cheaply than current methods. A novel, direct reading electrometric instrument will be developed for on-site analysis of filter cartridges containing metals and metallic dusts. Also, a calorimetric method of non-destructively testing filter cartridges will be developed. The Phase I project will quantitatively determine feasibility of the proposed methods by fabrication and testing of a small, portable, inexpensive prototype instrument that will perform on-site analysis of personal filter cartridges worn by workers potentially exposed to airborne heavy metals. Phase II will result in development of a commercial-fidelity instrument that will automatically analyze airborne metals and calculate the exposure for comparison with Permissible Exposure Limits. A rapid, automated instrument that provides more expedient monitoring of worker safety is the key goal of the project. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Industry has been clear in communicating its need for improved methods for personal air monitoring of heavy metals. An independent market study has already been conducted and has identified over 10,000 commercial/industrial sites in the mining, metallurgical, military, electronics, and coatings industries that might benefit from improved monitoring techniques.