RE: Lapel air sampling - Honest opinion

[William Lorenzen <LORENZEN_W@A1.TCH.HARVARD.EDU>]

I have had a fair amount of experience with both types of air sampling during my 
years in the uranium industry.  I feel strongly that area samples are NOT very 
representative in many circumstances.  I have also evaluated BZA's which sampled 
on the right vs. the left side of the shoulder and have found varying results 
depending on the nature of the job and if the person was left or right handed.

I believe this type of assessment technique for internal dose determination is 
at best an indicator of whether more measurements and bioassays should be 
performed.

Using the BZA as a trigger for additional controls/measurements is the most 
practical from my experience.  If a BZA result indicated a certain % of the DAC 
then a urine sample may be requested for example...  The other issue was how to 
handle these results if one had on a respirator and the licensee did not have an 
approved respiratory protection program..  that's another story.

Regards,

William A. Lorenzen, R.S.O.
Children's Hospital
Boston, MA

lorenzen_w@a1.tch.harvard.edu