SKC Disposable Parallel Particle Impactor User manual

SKC User-loaded Disposable
Parallel Particle Impactors (PPI)
The patented†impaction-based SKC Disposable Parallel Particle
Impactor (PPI®) Samplers are designed to match precisely the
collection efficiency curves for respirable and thoracic dust
specified by ISO 7708/CEN and adopted by ACGIH, CEN,
and other occupational hygiene organizations. Performance
data of the PPI Samplers relative to the ISO 7708/CEN criteria
was published in the Journal of Physics, Conference Series 151,
2009, and the data was made part of the OSHA Docket used
to develop the OSHA final silica rule (final rule page 16439).
The thoracic model meets the requirements of NIOSH Method 5524
for metalworking fluids and compounds with ACGIH®thoracic TLV®s.
Disposable PPI Samplers offer the convenience of single use to eliminate
sampler assembly and cleaning; small size for worker comfort, even under helmets or
other PPE; and a choice of flow rates for maximum flexibility in pump options, sample
duration, and contaminant concentration. These instructions are for PPI models that
are NOT preloaded with filters and supports; these models contain only impaction
substrates.
Performance Profile
Sampling Rate: 2 L/min respirable or thoracic and 4 or 8 L/min respirable
Sample Pump: • Universal or AirChek®Series for 2 and 4 L/min
• Leland Legacy for 8 L/min
Sample Time: Dependent on method used. Note: SKC tests indicate that a particulate
mass of up to 6.8 mg on the four impaction substrates would not affect PPI
performance. This amount is equivalent to sampling for 6 hours at 4 L/min in
environments where respirable mass concentration is 4.76 mg/m3and equals
50% of total dust. However, labs have reported to SKC that they prefer no more
than 2 mg on the filter for analytical reasons. Therefore, SKC recommends that
you work with your lab to determine optimum sample times for your unique
sampling conditions.
Sample Media 37-mm, 5.0-μm PVC filter, 37-mm, 2.0-μm PTFE filter*
(recommended):(NIOSH 5524), or 37-mm, 0.8-μm MCE filter
Use cellulose or stainless steel screen for support
Impaction Four 3/8-in diameter pre-oiled porous plastic discs
Substrate: (assembled in all Disposable PPIs)
Analysis: Gravimetric and/or chemical
Body Material: Conductive ABS plastic
Dimensions:
Height: 4.25 in (10.8 cm) - clip to exhaust
Diameter: 1.8 in (4.6 cm)
Depth: 1.2 in (3 cm)
Weight: 1.1 oz (31.2 gm)
Shelf-life: 18 mos from date of manufacture
† U.S. Patent No. 7,073,402
* Back pressure on PTFE filters can vary within the same lot.
Operating Instructions
863 Valley View Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330 USA
Tel: [phone] • www.skcinc.com

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Principle of Operation
SKC Disposable PPI Samplers are impaction-based filter samplers that perform
precise size-selection for either thoracic or respirable dust, depending on the model.
PPI Samplers contain four small impactors in the inlet section of the device. Each
impactor features a unique 50% cut-point to target a specific one-quarter segment of
the ISO/CEN curve resulting in a precise fit along the entire curve. A sample pump
operating at 2, 4, or 8 L/min (2 L/min only for thoracic) pulls air through the inlet
nozzle of each impactor in the inlet plate. Particles larger than each impactor’s 50%
cut-point are scrubbed and retained by impaction onto the porous oiled impaction
substrate contained in each impactor. Smaller particles continue to the standard
37-mm collection filter for analysis.
PPI Performance
Protective
end cap
Base plate
Inlet plate (contains 4 impac-
tors with unique cut-points
preloaded with 4 impaction
substrates and sonically
welded)
Collar clip
Standard 37-mm collection
filter (user installed)
37-mm support pad
(user installed)
Exhaust
to pump
Dust enters here
Collection efficiency of the 2, 4, and 8 L/min
respirable PPI Samplers compared to the
ISO respirable curve
Collection efficiency of the 2 L/min
thoracic PPI Sampler compared to the
ISO thoracic convention

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Media and Sampler Preparation
Media Preparation
Condition and weigh filters according to method used. Record the weight as the
pre-sample weight.
Sampler Preparation
The PPI will arrive with the inlet plate shrink wrapped and base plate separated.
1. Remove shrink wrap from inlet plate.
2. Using forceps, insert first a 37-mm support pad
and then a conditioned and weighed 37-mm
collection filter (if using gravimetric analysis)
into the base plate.
3. Lay base plate on a flat surface, align inlet plate with base, and press down
firmly to achieve an even seal.
4. Write sample ID on sampling label. Adhere sampling label to boom of
base plate.
5. Remove protective end cap from exhaust.
Technical Tidbits:
• Use forceps to carefully insert or remove collection filter and support pad. See
Accessories for forceps.
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Calibration and Sampling
As the particle load on the filter increases during sampling, the pressure
drop will also increase. Therefore, use a compensating sample pump
such as the AirChek Series or Leland Legacy depending on flow rate
requirements.
Calibration
Calibrate pump flow rate with a representative Disposable PPI (support and filter
loaded) in line. See pump and calibrator operating instructions.
1. Ensure the pump has run for 5 minutes before calibrating.
2. Ensure representative impactor is loaded with a support and collection filter
and that it is fully assembled. See Sampler Preparation on page 3.
3. Align the boom of the calibration adapter with the inlet plate of an assembled,
loaded representative Disposable PPI and press down firmly until the
calibration adapter’s O-ring is engaged and creates an even seal.
4. Use flexible tubing to connect the exhaust of the Disposable PPI to the inlet of
a sample pump.
5. Use flexible tubing to connect the inlet of the calibration adapter to the suction
port (outlet) of a calibrator.
6. Calibrate to 2 L/min for the 2 L/min respirable and thoracic model PPIs,
4 L/min for the 4 L/min respirable model, or 8 L/min for the 8 L/min respirable
model. Follow the calibration instructions in the pump and calibrator operating
instructions.
7. When calibration is completed, disconnect the tubing from the calibrator and
calibration adapter.
8. Grasp the Disposable PPI with one hand and the calibration adapter with
the other hand. Firmly pull/twist to remove the calibration adapter from the
Disposable PPI inlet plate.
9. Replace the representative Disposable
PPI used to set the flow with a new
loaded Disposable PPI for sample
collection.
Using excessive pressure to seal
the calibration adapter to the
Disposable PPI may make the
calibration adapter difficult to
remove.
Sample
pump
Calibrator
Flexible
tubing
Disposable
PPI
Calibration
adapter
Flexible
tubing
Tip

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Sampling
SKC tests indicate that a particulate mass of up to 6.8 mg on the four impaction
substrateswouldnotaffectPPIperformance.Thisamountisequivalenttosampling
for 6 hours at 4 L/min in environments where respirable mass concentration is
4.76 mg/m3 and equals 50% of total dust. However, labs have reported to SKC
that they prefer no more than 2 mg on the filter for analytical reasons. Therefore,
SKCrecommendsthatyouworkwithyourlabtodetermineoptimumsampletimes
for your unique sampling conditions.
1. As per good industrial hygiene practice, replace
representative sampler used for calibration with a
new, unused loaded sampler. See Media and Sampler
Preparation.
2. Record sample start time on label.
3. Clip Disposable PPI onto a worker’s collar or lapel in
the breathing zone or in the area to be sampled.
4. Clip sample pump at the worker’s waist or close to the
Disposable PPI.
5. Use flexible tubing to aach the Disposable PPI
exhaust to the inlet of the sample pump.
6. Turn on pump and record pertinent sample data.
7. After the desired sample time has elapsed, turn
offthe pump and unclip sampler from sampling
location.
8. Apply Post-use label to inlet plate to seal the
sampler.
9. Record sample stop time on label on the boom
of sampler.
10. Disconnect sampler from pump and reinstall
protective end cap on the exhaust.
11. Reinstate calibration train with representative Disposable PPI and verify flow
rate. See Calibration.
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Sample Transport and Analysis
Packageandtransportsamplesand blanks toan accredited laboratoryfor gravimetric
or chemical analysis.
References
Trakumas, S., Hall, P., Personal Respirable Sampler Containing Four Impactors Arranged in Parallel, Abstracts of
23rd Annual AAAR Conference, Atlanta, GA, 2004, p. 78
Trakumas, S., Salter, E., “Parallel Particle Impactor - Novel Size-selective Particle Sampler for
Accurate Fractioning of Inhalable Particles,” Journal of Physics: Conference Series 151 (2009), 16 pp., 012060,
www.skcinc.com/instructions/Parallel Particle Impactor Paper.pdf
Reference 2 is an author-created, non-copyrighted version of an article accepted for
publication in the Journal of Physics; Conference Series 151. IOP Publishing Ltd. is not
responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version
derived from it. The definitive publisher authenticated version is available online. Go to
hp://dx.doi.org, enter doi: 10.1088/1742-6596/151/1/012060.
Trakumas, S., “High-flow Personal Respirator Dust Sampler for Increased Sensitivity,” Poster 261, AIHce 2010,
Denver, CO
Trakumas, S., “High-flow Personal Sampler to Monitor Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica at New Lower
TLV,” IOHA 2010 8th Conference Book of Abstracts, Rome, p. 59
Trakumas, S., Salter, E., “High-Flow Personal Sampler to Monitor Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica at New
Lower TLV” PowerPoint Presentation
OSHA Final Rule on Respirable Crystalline Silica, www.osha.gov/silica/
ISO 7708:1995 (2008), Air Quality — Particle Size Fraction Definitions for Health-related Sampling, www.iso.
org, search on 7708
Stacey, P., Thorpe, A., and Echt, A., “Performance of High Flow Rate Personal Respirable Samplers When
Challenged with Mineral Aerosols of Different Particle Size Distributions,” Ann. Occup. Hyg., 60, 2016, pp. 479-
492, hp://annhyg.oxfordjournals.org/content/60/4/479.full.pdf
Görner, P., Simon, X., Boivin, A., Bau, S., “Sampling Efficiency and Performance of Selected Thoracic Aerosol
Samplers,” Annals of Work Exposure and Health, 2017, Vol. 61, No. 7, 784-796

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Ordering Information
User-loaded Disposable Plastic PPI Samplers, select the PPI for the
desired convention. Designed for one-time use. Cat. No.
User-loaded Disposable PPI Samplers contain four porous
disc impaction substrates. Require collection filter and support;
see information below and select based on application
Respirable PPI (red), 8 L/min, plastic
Respirable PPI (orange), 4 L/min, plastic
Respirable PPI (gold), 2 L/min, plastic
Thoracic PPI (blue), 2 L/min, plastic
225-384
225-387
225-385
225-386
Recommended Collection Filters for User-loaded Disposable PPI,
required for sampling. Select a filter based on your application.
PVC Filters, 37 mm, 5.0-μm pore size, pk/100 225-5-37
PTFE Filters,* 37 mm, 2.0-μm pore size, with laminated PTFE support,
for metalworking fluids (NIOSH 5524), pk/50 Contact SKC
MCE Filters, 37 mm, 0.8-μm pore size, pk/100 225-5
Filter Supports, required for User-loaded Disposable PPI sampling.
Select either cellulose or stainless steel.
Support Pads, cellulose, 37 mm, pk/100 225-27
Support Pads, stainless steel, 37 mm, wide mesh, ea 225-26
Accessories
Calibration Adapter for Disposable PPI 225-389
Forceps, stainless steel, non-serrated flat tips 225-8371
* Back pressure on PTFE filters can vary within the same lot.
SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy
SKC products are subject to the SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, which
provides SKC’s sole liability and the buyer’s exclusive remedy. To view the complete
SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, go to hp://www.skcinc.com/warranty.

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Form 38055 Rev 1901
www.skcinc.com