Real-Time Monitoring of Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, and Lead Concentrations in Copper Smelter Particulates Using a TSI 8520 DustTrak, a Haz-Dust EPAM-5000, and a Grimm 1.109

Exposure to arsenic, cadmium, copper, and lead in workplace particulates is a potential health concern in the copper smelter where this study was conducted. Standard sampling and analytical analysis of metals in particulates requires1 to 2 weeks before results are available. The purpose of this study is to determine if the commercially available TSI 8520 DustTrak, Haz‐Dust EPAM‐5000, and Grimm 1.109 real‐time aerosol‐monitoring instruments in conjunction with specific correction factors provided by this study can provide acceptable approximations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, and lead concentrations determined by standard sampling and analytical techniques. Methods: Copper smelter particulates were sampled during 16 sampling events using matched weight Mixed Cellulose Ester (MCE) filter cassettes while simultaneously monitoring particulates with a DustTrak, a Haz‐Dust, and a Grimm real‐time aerosol monitoring instrument. Cassette filters were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) instrument to determine the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, and lead. Individual linear regressions with the yintercept forced to zero were developed to determine the relationship between measurements recorded by these three instruments and laboratory‐reported arsenic, cadmium, copper, and lead concentrations. Results: Linear regressions yielded correction factors that can be applied to the three aerosol monitoring instrument readings to obtain relative concentrations for each of the four metals. The coefficient of determination (R2) values from the linear regressions were 0.70 to 0.94 for arsenic, 0.67 to 0.82 for cadmium, 0.70 to 0.91 for copper, and 0.54 to 0.93 for lead. Conclusions: These results suggest that the TSI 8520 DustTrak, the Haz‐Dust, and the Grimm 1.109 instruments may provide real‐time data useful in providing estimates for concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, and lead in copper smelter particulates, although percent compositions of the metals in these particulates seem to be variable. These results suggest additional studies are needed for verification.,