Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of various passive monitors and active monitors for industrial hygiene sampling

A framework for evaluating passive or active industrial hygiene air samplin g monitors on a cost-effectiveness basis is described. Five passive monitor s and one active monitor (charcoal tube with pump) were compared in several hypothetical scenarios. Using certain assumptions regarding method validat ion costs, sampling equipment costs, and labor costs, both a per sample cos t and a total annual cost were calculated for each type of sampling monitor as a function of total samples taken per year. The results of this study i ndicate that even when the additional expense of full validation of the pas sive sampling monitor is required, these monitors are more cost-effective t han active monitors. A specific type of passive monitor utilizing replaceab le capsules is the most cost-effective when more than 500 samples per year are taken.