ADOSH-SF Technical Guideline: Occupational Air Quality Management

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Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and
Health System Framework
(ADOSH-SF)
ADOSH-SF Technical Guideline
Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0
July 2024

ADOSH-SF – Technical Guideline
Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. General ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Standards and Guidelines on Air Measurement .................................................................................. 4
4. Occupational Air Monitoring ....................................................................................................................... 6
5. Indoor Air Monitoring .................................................................................................................................... 8
6. References ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
7. Document Amendment Record ............................................................................................................... 10

ADOSH-SF – Technical Guideline
Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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1. Introduction
(a) This technical guideline provides guidance for air quality monitoring and for collecting
air samples for the investigation of pollution. It identifies international standards /
guidelines applicable to the measurement of air quality (ambient, workplace and
indoor air) and outlines the considerations required for air monitoring.
(b) The information contained in this guideline provides a consistent approach for
conducting air quality assessments in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and shall be
considered as minimum requirements. The guideline aims to provide general direction
on appropriate sampling and quality assurance procedures during the undertaking of
monitoring to obtain representative samples, which faithfully represent the
environment from which they were taken.
(c) This guideline assumes that an appropriate level of site conceptualization has been
completed as part of a Preliminary Site Investigation and that a suitable sampling
pattern/regime has been established.
(d) This guideline is not intended to be comprehensive and further information should be
sought from international standards and codes where considered relevant for the
purpose of completing the site investigation.
2. General
(a) Prior to undertaking air sampling, the objectives of the investigation shall be
established. These shall define how and why samples are to be collected. These
objectives will guide the development of the investigation strategy and sampling plan.
(b) The sampling objectives will be site specific and depend on the purpose of the
investigation and will be guided by the Data Quality Objectives (DQOs). These
objectives should be established at the outset of the investigation and can be
developed using the seven-step process presented below:
(i) Step 1. State the Problem - define the problem that requires assessment /
investigation.
(ii) Step 2. Identify the Goal of the Study - identify the study question(s) and state
how the data will be used in meeting the objectives of the study.
(iii) Step 3. Identify the Information Inputs - identify the data and information
required to answer the study question(s).
(iv) Step 4. Define the Boundaries of the Study - define the spatial and temporal
limits of the study. Specify the target sample population for the study.
(v) Step 5. Develop the Analytical Approach - develop an analytic approach that will
guide how you analyze the study results and draw conclusions from the data.
(vi) Step 6. Specify Performance or Acceptance Criteria - determine what data
quality assessment criteria will be used to assess data Precision, Accuracy,
Representativeness and Comparability and Completeness (PARCC parameters).
(vii) Step 7. Develop a Plan for Obtaining the Data - develop a sampling, analysis and
quality plan (SAQP) that meets the performance criteria.

ADOSH-SF – Technical Guideline
Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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(c) A site recognizance/review shall be undertaken prior to establishing a monitoring plan
to gain information on the site characteristics and to provide input into the sampling
/ monitoring plan.
3. Standards and Guidelines on Air Measurement
(a) A particular substance in air can be sampled / measured by a variety of methods. The
sampling / measurement principles of these methods could be different.
(b) It is important that a same method shall be adopted for all monitoring events
throughout a project. For a project involving more than one party to carry out
monitoring, the monitoring method shall be agreed before monitoring and all parties
shall adopt the same method.
(c) Air monitoring shall be performed in accordance with current international standards.
For the air management standards and guideline values under the ADOSH-SF, the
applicable monitoring standards / guidelines are shown in Table 1 below. These
standards / guidelines provide details on the specification of sampling / monitoring
instrument, calibration requirements, step by step sampling / monitoring procedures,
quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) required and the processing of data.
(d) All laboratories that are used for the purpose of air quality sampling / monitoring /
measurement should be registered and approved by the Emirates National
Accreditation System (ENAS) or the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC).
Parameter Measurement Standard / Guideline
Ambient Air
Occupational Air
Substances
listed in ACGIH
(2009)
NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM); or
OSHA Sampling and Analysis Method; or
ASTM; or
EPA Methods
Note: An Air Sampling Guide is shown on:
https://www.skcinc.com/pages/sampling-guides
Indoor Air
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) System
Carbon Dioxide Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers,
USEPA
Ventilation
Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers,
USEPA, USEPA (ventilation is measured via the measurement of carbon
dioxide concentration)
Thermal Comfort
Air Temperature Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers,
USEPA
Relative
Humidity
Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers,
USEPA
Pollutants / Characteristics

ADOSH-SF – Technical Guideline
Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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Table1:Air Monitoring Standards
Parameter Measurement Standard / Guideline
Asbestos
ASTM D6281-06: Standard Test Method for Airborne Asbestos
Concentration in Ambient and Indoor Atmospheres as Determined by
Transmission Electron Microscopy Direct Transfer (TEM)
Carbon
Monoxide
Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor
Air, USEPA
Nondispersive Infrared (NDIR);
Gas Filter Correlation (GFC); or
Electrochemical Oxidation
Formaldehyde
Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor
Air, USEPA
Solid Adsorbent Cartridge;
Continuous Colorimetric Analyzer; or
Passive Sampling Device
Lead NIOSH 7105, NIOSH 7182
Ozone
ASTM D5156-95 Standard Test Methods for Continuous Measurement of
Ozone in Ambient, Workplace, and Indoor Atmospheres (Ultraviolet
Absorption)
Particulate
Matter (PM2.5) EPA IP-10A
Radon Citizen’s Guide To Radon, USEPA (by a Radon Testing Kit)
Total Volatile
Organic
Compounds
(TVOCs)
Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor
Air, USEPA
Stainless Steel Canister; or
Solid Adsorbent Tubes

ADOSH-SF – Technical Guideline
Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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4. Occupational Air Monitoring
(a) Objective of monitoring: Chemicals used in the workplace may be emitted into the
working area or ambient environment in various forms and in turn cause risks to health
if they are breathed by people in this environment. The objectives of air monitoring
at working area could be:
(i) to evaluate the compliance with occupational exposure values specified by the
ADOSH-SF and/or recognized organizations (e.g. ACGIH, OSHA, NIOSH);
(ii) to identify the sources of air pollutants for implementing appropriate mitigation
measures; and
(iii) to evaluate the effectiveness of existing or the newly implemented mitigation
measures.
(b) Approach to air monitoring:
(i) personal monitoring: Personal monitoring is to establish the concentration of
air substances within the breathing zone and hence evaluate the exposure of
the employee to these substances. A sampler is placed within the employee’s
breathing zone, it collects air samples in the breathing zone continuously when
the employee is moving around while working.
(ii) fixed point monitoring: An air sampler is positioned at a particular area of the
workplace to collect air samples. It is applicable to the identification of sources
and distribution of chemicals / substances, and evaluation of the effectiveness
of control measures.
(c) Air sampling methods:
(i) Direct measuring methods: Direct measuring methods provide the results
rapidly. Examples of direct measuring methods include:
1. detector tubes (the hand-pump based tubes require no laboratory testing):
The hand-pump based detector tube is operated by connecting an
unsealed detector tube (with chemicals that could react with the targeted
substance in the air) to a hand pump. Air is drawn into the detector tube
by a hand pump manually. The chemicals in the tube will react with the
targeted substance and give a colour change. The concentration of the
targeted substance in air is measured by the length or the intensity of the
colour change; and
2. instrumentation providing real time reading.
(ii) Detector tubes: Detector tubes are mainly for the determination of gas or
vapour concentrations in air. There are two main types of detection tubes, they
are:
1. hand-pump based tubes (refer to the above);
2. diffusive tubes: Diffusive detector tube is used for long-term
measurement of the concentrate of air substances by diffusion (a hand
pump is not required); and
3. in view of the monitoring method, detector tubes (hand pump based) could
only provide “qualitative” results instead of highly “quantitative” results.

ADOSH-SF – Technical Guideline
Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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In addition, detector tubes have a limited shelf life. The manufacturer’s
instructions shall be referred to before using the detector tubes.
(iii) Instruments providing real time reading:
1. various models of real-time instruments are available in the market for
measuring substances in the workplace areas. In general, these
instruments can provide real-time reading on particulate (e.g. PM1, PM2.5
and PM10), oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, Lower Explosive
Limit (LEL) of a combustion gas and TVOCs;
2. some instrumental devices are able to provide results on time-weighted
average (TWA) and short-term exposure limit (STEL) specified by
recognised standards (e.g. NIOSH, OSHA and ACGIH), equipped with data-
logging function and allow downloading of data to computer for further
analysis; and
3. these instruments shall be maintained and calibrated regularly in
accordance with the manufacturer’s manual to ensure the sensors,
batteries and other parts are functioning properly.
(iv) Sampling followed by Laboratory Analysis: The concentration of substances in
the workplace area can be determined by collecting an air sample by a sampler
followed by laboratory analysis. This method can provide accurate
measurement results. Various sampling devices are available in the market,
some examples are shown below.
1. gas bag;
2. charcoal adsorbent tube (for the sampling of organic vapour);
3. canister (for the sampling of VOCs);
4. passive diffusive sampler (for the sampling of hydrochloric acid,
hydrofluoric acid, aldehydes, ammonia, VOCs, phenols, anaesthetic gases,
hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone);
5. cyclone sampler (for sampling of respirable dust);
6. impinger (for collecting air substances into a liquid medium);
7. metal fumes sampler; and
8. cowl sampler (for sampling of airborne asbestos fibres).
(d) Except canister and passive diffusive sampler, the samplers mentioned above are
connected to an air sampling pump for drawing an air sample onto the sampler.
(e) The details on the above sampling equipment are available on the websites of
equipment manufacturers (see references in Section 8). For the laboratory analysis
of the samples, NIOSH, OSHA, ASTM and US EPA provide detailed analytical methods
(including discussion, limitation, procedures of field sampling and laboratory analysis,
instrument calibration).

ADOSH-SF – Technical Guideline
Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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5. Indoor Air Monitoring
(a) Acceptable IAQ is defined as air in which there are no known contaminants at harmful
concentrations as determined by cognizant authorities and with which a substantial
majority (80%) of the people exposed do not express dissatisfaction (ASHRAE
Standard 62.1-2007).
(b) In view of the above definition, the scope of IAQ monitoring is shown in Table 5.01,
summarized as follows.
(i) monitoring the substance in indoor air (e.g. VOCs, carbon monoxide);
(ii) checking on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system
(including visual inspection and checking by equipment); and
(iii) occupants’ perception of IAQ and health symptoms (via interviewing /
questionnaire).
(c) The monitoring guidelines for the above items are detailed in: Standardized EPA
Protocol for Characterizing Indoor Air Quality in Large Office Buildings, USEPA.
Environmental
Monitoring
Building and HVAC Characteristics
Occupant Survey
Building Checklist HVAC Checklist
– Bioaerosols (air,
visible growth)
– Carbon Dioxide
– Carbon Monoxide
– Formaldehyde
– Light
– Particles
(PM10, PM2.5)
– Radon
– Relative Humidity
– Sound
– Temperature
– VOCs
– Use
– Occupancy
– Geographical
Location
– Ventilation
(equipment,
operation
schedule)
– Construction
– Outdoor Sources
– Smoking Policy
– Water Damage
– Fire Damage
– Renovation
– Pest Control
– Cleaning Practices
– Type Specifications
(air handler,
exhaust fans)
– Filtration
– Air Cleaning Systems
– Air Washers
– Humidification
Systems
– Maintenance Schedule
– Inspection Schedule
– Supply Air Flow Rate
– Percent Outdoor Air
– Outdoor Air Intake
Rate
– Supply Air
(temperature, relative
humidity)
– Exhaust Fan Rates
– Local Ventilation
Performance
– Natural Ventilation
– Workplace
Physical
Information
– Health and Well-
being
– Workplace
Environmental
Conditions
– Job
Characteristics
– Occupant
Demographics
Table 2: Scope of Indoor Air Monitoring – Source (referenced at time of document development)
:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/base/study_overview.html

ADOSH-SF – Technical Guideline
Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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6. References
•
ACGIH (2009), TLVs and BEIs based on the Documentation of the Threshold Limit
Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents & Biological Exposure
Indices, ACGIH
•
Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (ASHRAE 62-2004)
References Accessed 2012.
•
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2009/aprqtr/pdf/21cfr801.415.pdf
•
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-
cfr.cgi?TITLE=16&PART=1303&SECTION=4&YEAR=1999&TYPE=PDF
•
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-
cfr.cgi?TITLE=24&PART=3280&SECTION=308&YEAR=1999&TYPE=PDF
•
http://marshallcsi.com/content/view/6/12/
•
http://www.carpet-
rug.org/technical_bulletins/0102_Recommended_IAQ_Specifications.pdf
•
http://www.doh.wa.gov/HWS/doc/EH/EH_INAQ2007.pdf
•
http://www.ead.ae/Tacsoft/FileManager/Laws/Regulation%20concerning%20Pro
tection%20of%20Air%20from%20Pollution-Arabic.pdf
•
http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/faq.htm#1
•
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pdfs/citizensguide.pdf
•
http://www.ephc.gov.au/sites/default/files/AAQ_NEPM__Ambient_Air_Quality_NE
PM_Varied_scaleplus_Final_200305_1.pdf

ADOSH-SF – Technical Guideline
Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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7. Document Amendment Record
Version Revision Date Description of Amendment Page/s Affected
4.0 15th July 2024
System acronym updated from OSHAD-
SF to ADOSH-SF to accurately reflect
document title
Throughout
Change from OSHAD to ADPHC
Change of Logo
Indicated (in Table 2 & Section 6)
references sourced from the internet at
time of document development
Minor editorial changes throughout the
document without changing requirements.

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Occupational Air Quality Management
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
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