What to know
For rapid quartz analysis (RQA) with the Field Analysis of Silica Tool (FAST) you will need certain hardware and software.
Overview
These hardware and software resources and requirements will help you implement FAST for RQA.
Detailed guide
For more details on performing RQA using FAST, access this NIOSH report.
Hardware
- Sampling pump and respirable cyclone
- Laptop computer
- Portable FTIR spectrometer with transmission module (KBr optics), commercially available options include:
- Agilent (model: Cary 630) NIOSH-developed macro package for Agilent
- Bruker Corporation (model: Alpha) NIOSH-developed macro package for Bruker
- Perkin Elmer (model: SpectrumTwo™) NIOSH-developed macro package for Perkin Elmer
- Thermo Scientific™ (model: Nicolet™ iS5™) NIOSH-developed macro package for Thermo Scientific
- other comparable transmission FTIR instrument
- Agilent (model: Cary 630) NIOSH-developed macro package for Agilent
- Sample bracket and sample cradle (free designs for 3D printed version available from the NIH 3D Exchange webpage
- "FAST-ready" sampling cassettes, such as:
- coal mine dust sampling cassette, or
- FTIR cassette from Zefon (part number: 7450PVC-CF-FTIR, available by contacting the company)
- coal mine dust sampling cassette, or
Software
- FAST software
- FTIR spectrometer software (from the manufacturer of your instrument)
- Spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel or any other common spreadsheet software)
What is rapid quartz analysis?
Rapid quartz analysis (RQA) is a field-based approach for monitoring airborne respirable quartz concentrations using direct-on-filter analysis with portable Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) instruments. The monitoring approach is specific for quartz, the most common form of crystalline silica encountered in the mining environment.
Disclaimer
Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.