Comparison of a simplified and full-size mannequin for the evaluation of inhalable sampler performance

A simplified mannequin was used to evaluate performance of the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) personal sampler, and results were compared to those obtained using a full-size, rotating mannequin. The simplified mannequin, similar to that described by Witschger et al. (1998), was constructed using an inverted plastic wastebasket with dimensions of 33 cm wide × 20 cm deep x 20 cm high. IOM samplers mounted on both mannequins were exposed to narrowly-distributed aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) test dust with aerodynamic diameters of 7, 22, 52, 82, and 116 μm. Results were obtained for three wind velocities: 0.4, 1.0, and 1.6 m/s. Sampler performance for the IOM sampler showed reasonable agreement with the ACGIH/ISO/CEN IPM sampling criteria when mounted on either mannequin. The two mannequins, however, showed opposite trends in aspiration efficiency with wind velocity. An increase in aspiration efficiency with an increase in wind velocity was found for the simplified mannequin, while the full-size mannequin gave a decrease in aspiration efficiency with increasing wind velocity. The effect was most apparent for particles larger than 50 μm.