NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods 4th Edition

NMAM series
4th edition

• NIOSH NMAM, 4th ed. Publication 94-113
  • 1st Supplement Publication 96-135
  • 2nd Supplement Publication 98-119
  • 3rd Supplement 2003-154

5th edition now available

Methods

Browse by:

• Chemical Name
• Chemical CAS Number
• Method Number

Chapters

• Chapter A – Purpose & Scope [PDF – 23 KB]
• Chapter B – How to Use NMAM [PDF – 20 KB]
• Chapter C – Quality Assurance [PDF – 443 KB]
• Chapter D – General Considerations for Sampling Airborne Contaminants [PDF – 74 KB]
• Chapter E – Development and Evaluation of Methods [PDF – 398 KB]
• Chapter F – Application of Biological Monitoring Methods [PDF – 41 KB]
• Chapter G – Aerosol Photometers for Respirable Dust Measurements [PDF – 56 KB]
• Chapter H – Portable Electrochemical Sensor Methods [PDF – 18 KB]
• Chapter I – Portable Gas Chromatography [PDF – 21 KB]
• Chapter J – Sampling and Characterization of Bioaerosols [PDF – 103 KB]
• Chapter K – Determination of Airborne Isocyanate Exposure [PDF – 115 KB]
• Chapter L – Measurement of Fibers [PDF – 145 KB]
• Chapter M – Sampling and Analysis of Soluble Metal Compounds [PDF – 107 KB]
• Chapter N – Aerosol Sampling: Minimizing Particle Loss from Cassette Bypass Leakage [PDF – 808 KB]
• Chapter O – Factors Affecting Aerosol Sampling [PDF – 2.2 MB]
• Chapter P – Measurement Uncertainty and NIOSH Method Accuracy Range [PDF – 1.2 MB]
• Chapter Q – Monitoring of Diesel Particulate Exhaust in the Workplace [PDF – 1.6 MB]
• Chapter R – Determination of Airborne Crystalline Silica [PDF – 479 KB]
• Glossary – Glossary of Abbreviations, Definitions, and Symbols [PDF – 86 KB]

Additional Information

• Method Finder [PDF – 273 KB]
• Appendixes
  • A. Unit Equivalent [PDF – 28 KB]
  • B. Air Concentration Calculations for Comparison to OSHA Standard [PDF – 21 KB]
• Indexes
  • A. Third & Fourth Edition Method Numbers [PDF – 41 KB]
  • B. First & Second Edition Method Numbers [PDF – 69 KB]
  • C. Names & Synonyms [PDF – 126 KB]

NIOSH recommends that the best method available be used for making each measurement. Methods published by others, such as OSHA, MSHA, EPA, ASTM, ISO or commercial suppliers of sampling and analytical equipment, may have advantages over NIOSH methods for a given sampling situation. (An Industrial Hygienist should determine the sampling protocol, considering analytical accuracy, cost, and optimum sample number.) Every method should undergo an initial evaluation to demonstrate performance. When a method is used in a laboratory that did not perform the initial evaluation, that laboratory should verify that comparable results can be obtained. NIOSH methods may need to be modified, and if modified, should be re-evaluated. Various OSHA regulations (e.g. benzene) mention performance criteria for evaluating whatever method is used.

NIOSH has published methods developed in cooperating laboratories. These method performance have been evaluated using established experimental protocols. These methods were selected based upon priorities established in a joint NIOSH/AIHA survey of participating laboratories.

Protocols

General Laboratory Protocol

NIOSH has a general protocol for evaluating methods of laboratory analysis:

Kennedy, E.R.; Fischbach, T.J.; Song, R; Eller, P.M.; Shulman, S.A.: “Guidelines for Air Sampling and Analytical Method Development and Evaluation” DHHS(NIOSH) Publication No. 95-117.

Diffusive Samplers

For routine evaluation of many samplers and analytes, the following are equivalent:

• ASTM: Standard Practice for Evaluating the Performance of Diffusive Samplers, ATSM International, D 6246. Order at www.astm.org.
• ISO: Workplace Atmospheres – Protocol for Evaluating the Performance of Diffusive Samplers, International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO/FDIS 16107. Order at www.iso.org.