SKC Preloaded Disposable Parallel Particle Impactor Operating Instructions Manual

Operating Instructions

863 Valley View Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330 USA

Tel: [phone] • www.skcinc.com

SKC Preloaded 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 specifi ed by ISO 7708/CEN and adopted by ACGIH,
CEN, and other occupational hygiene organizations. The performance of the
respirable PPI samplers also meets the ISO 7708/CEN criteria included in the OSHA
fi nal silica rule. The thoracic model meets the requirements of NIOSH Method 5524
for metalworking fl uids and compounds with ACGIH
PPI Samplers off er 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 fl ow rates for maximum fl exibility in pump options, sample duration, and
contaminant concentration. These instructions are for PPI models pre-assembled

with fi lter, support, and impaction substrates.

®

thoracic TLV®s. Disposable

Preloaded fi lters in some models are available preweighed by SKC for gravimetric
analysis. See the table below.

Respirable PPIs Preloaded Filter

225-3841
225-3851
225-3871
225-3841-PW
225-3851-PW
225-3871-PW

Thoracic PPIs Preloaded Filter

225-3861 0.8-μm MCE fi lter, not preweighed
225-3862 Quartz fi lter, not preweighed

† U.S. Patent No. 7,073,402

5.0-μm PVC fi lter for chemical analysis, not preweighed. For gravimetric analysis,
contact your laboratory to pre and postweigh fi lter.

5.0-μm PVC fi lter preweighed by SKC for gravimetric analysis
Preweighed at 70 F ± 3 F and 50% ± 5% relative humidity

Performance Profi le

Sampling Rate: 2 L/min respirable or thoracic, 4 or 8 L/min respirable

Sample Pump: • Universal XR or AirChek

• Leland Legacy for 8 L/min

Sample Time: Dependent on method used.

mass of up to 6.8 mg on the four impaction substrates would not aff ect
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/m
and equals 50% of total dust. However, labs have reported to SKC that they
prefer no more than 2 mg on the fi lter for analytical reasons. Therefore,
SKC recommends that you work with your lab to determine optimum
sample times for your unique sampling conditions.

Sample Media: Respirable models: 37-mm, 5.0-μm PVC fi lter and cellulose

support pad

Thoracic model: 37-mm, 0.8-μm MCE fi lter and cellulose

support pad or 37-mm Quar fi lter and cellulose support pad

Impaction Four 3/8-in diameter pre-oiled porous plastic discs
Substrate: (Assembled in all Disposable PPIs)

Analysis: Chemical or gravimetric

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

®

Series for 2 and 4 L/min

Note: SKC tests indicate that a particulate

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Principle of Operation

SKC Disposable PPI Samplers are impaction-based fi lter 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 specifi c one-quarter segment of
the ISO/CEN curve resulting in a precise fi t 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 fi lter for analysis.

Dust enters here

Inlet plate (contains 4 impac­tors with unique cut-points
preloaded with 4 impaction
substrates and sonically
welded)
Standard 37-mm collection
fi lter (assembled)

Protective
end cap

Exhaust
to pump

Base plate

PPI Performance

Collection effi ciency of the 2, 4, and 8 L/min

respirable PPI Samplers compared to the

ISO respirable curve

37-mm support pad
(assembled)

Collar clip

Collection effi ciency of the 2 L/min

thoracic PPI Sampler compared to the

ISO thoracic convention

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Sampler Preparation

2

SKC Preloaded Disposable PPIs are supplied assembled and ready to use.

For gravimetric analysis: PPIs 225-3841-PW, 225-3871-PW, and 225-3851-PW are
preloaded with a preweighed 5.0-μm PVC fi lter. If using PPIs preloaded with a 5.0-μm PVC
fi lter that has not been preweighed (Cat. Nos. 225-3841, 225-3871, and 225-3851), contact
your laboratory to pre and postweigh fi lter.

1. Remove shrink wrap.

2. Write sample ID on sampling label. Adhere sampling label to bo om of

base plate.

3. Remove protective end cap from exhaust.

Calibration and Sampling

As the particle load on the fi lter 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 fl ow rate requirements.

Calibration

Calibrate the pump fl ow rate with a representative Preloaded Disposable PPI
sampler. 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 fi lter
and that it is fully assembled. See Sampler Preparation above.

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 fl exible tubing to connect the exhaust of the Disposable PPI to the inlet of
a sample pump.

5. Use fl exible tubing to connect the inlet of the calibration adapter to the suction
port (outlet) of a calibrator.

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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 fl ow with a new,
unused preloaded Disposable PPI for sample collection.

Using excessive pressure to
seal the calibration adapter to
the Disposable PPI may make
the calibration adapter diffi cult
to remove.

Flexible

tubing

Calibration

adapter

Sample

pump

Flexible

tubing

Disposable PPI

Calibrator

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Sampling

8

10

3

6

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/m3 and equals 50% of total dust. However, labs have reported to SKC that
they prefer no more than 2 mg on the fi lter for analytical reasons. Therefore, SKC
recommends that you work with your lab to determine optimum sample times for
your unique sampling conditions.

1. As per good industrial hygiene practice, replace representative sampler used
for calibration with a new, unused preloaded sampler.

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 fl exible 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 off the
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.

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11. Reinstate calibration train with representative
Disposable PPI and verify fl ow rate. See Calibration.

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Sample Transport and Analysis

Package and transport samples and blanks to an accredited laboratory for 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 defi nitive 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-fl ow Personal Respirator Dust Sampler for Increased Sensitivity,” Poster 261,
AIHce 2010, Denver, CO

Trakumas, S., “High-fl ow 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 Defi nitions 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 Diff erent 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 Effi ciency 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

Preloaded Disposable Plastic PPI Samplers, select the PPI for the
desired convention. Designed for one-time use Cat. No.

Preloaded Disposable PPI Samplers contain four porous plastic

disc impaction substrates, one 37-mm collection fi lter, and one 37-mm
cellulose support

Respirable PPI (red), 8 L/min, plastic, 5.0-μm PVC fi lter

225-3841

Respirable PPI (red), 8 L/min, plastic, 5.0-μm PVC fi lter

preweighed to 5 decimals

Respirable PPI (orange), 4 L/min, plastic, 5.0-μm PVC fi lter

Respirable PPI (orange), 4 L/min, plastic, 5.0-μm PVC fi lter

preweighed to 5 decimals

Respirable PPI (gold), 2 L/min, plastic, 5.0-μm PVC fi lter

Respirable PPI (gold), 2 L/min, plastic, 5.0-μm PVC fi lter

preweighed to 5 decimals

Thoracic PPI (blue), 2 L/min, plastic, 0.8-μm MCE fi lter 225-3861

Thoracic PPI (blue), 2 L/min, plastic, Quartz fi lter 225-3862
Accessory
Calibration Adapter for Disposable PPI 225-389

225-3841-PW

225-3871

225-3871-PW

225-3851

225-3851-PW

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.

www.skcinc.com

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Form 38056 Rev 1811