NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods 5th Edition and Harmonization of Occupational Exposure Monitoring.

The NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM: www.cdc.gov/niosh/nmam) is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants in workplace air (or surfaces) and in the blood and urine of workers who are occupationally exposed. NIOSH methods are used worldwide for occupational exposure assessment to chemical and biological agents. These methods have been developed or adapted by NIOSH and/or its partners and have been evaluated according to established experimental protocols and performance criteria. NMAM also includes associated chapters on quality assurance, sampling guidance, instrumentation, aerosol measurement, gas and vapor monitoring, portable monitoring devices, and so forth. Often NIOSH methods are developed in coordination with voluntary consensus standards organizations such as ASTM International, the Comité Européen de Normalisation (European Committee for Standardization, CEN) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Efforts to harmonize NIOSH methods with relevant consensus standards procedures are of particular interest and are highlighted. NIOSH also has a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Geseltzlichen Unfallversicherung (Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurances, IFA), whereby NIOSH is adopting selected IFA methods and vice-versa. An overview of recent research and technology transfer activities relating to NMAM methods is provided, with selected examples in applications to exposure science, notably workplace air monitoring. Included in the discussion are newly approved methods and those under development, as well as needs for new methods and updates. Of particular interest are recent NIOSH recommendations and associated research on air samplers used for sampling and analysis of airborne particles.