Sampling guide
How to collect a dust sample with the Vacuum Sampler
The Vacuum method collects settled floor dust into a dust-collector cartridge fitted to your own vacuum cleaner. Ideally sample two primary rooms, such as the common living area and a bedroom.
Before you start
- Do not combine basement or crawl-space dust with upstairs living-space samples.
- You will need a vacuum cleaner, a tape measure, a stopwatch or timer, and masking tape.
- 1 Wearing gloves, mark out a 1m x 2m rectangular sampling area on the floor (about 2m²). If the space is smaller, adjust the dimensions and record them on the Chain-of-Custody form.
- 2 Detach the head/nozzle from the vacuum cleaner, remove the caps from both ends of the dust collector (set them aside), and fit the collector onto the vacuum. It may fit loosely until the vacuum is on — a piece of tape between the collector and the hose stops it falling off.
- 3 Turn on the vacuum and vacuum the marked area for at least 5 minutes. Tilt the collector slightly to one side to improve efficiency (holding the opening flat against the floor blocks airflow and collects nothing).
- 4 Check the filter insert for dust. If there is not enough, vacuum for longer or expand the area.
- 5 Hold the collector facing up, turn off the vacuum, and replace one plug so the dust does not fall out.
- 6 Move to the second room and repeat the marking and vacuuming steps, checking the filter insert again.
- 7 Hold the collector facing up, turn off the vacuum, replace the plug in the small end, turn it so the big side faces up, remove it from the hose, and replace the other plug.
- 8 Place the capped dust collector into the re-sealable bag.
- 9 Send the dust collector and signed COC form back to NSJ EnviroSciences.