Biological Monitoring and Analysis

Biological Monitoring

Analysis of the Biological Samples

1. Presently in its 5th edition, NMAM is constantly updated as new methods are developed and validated and as revised methods are re-evaluated and their performance verified. Often there are situations during use where certain NIOSH methods may require modification, for example, to accommodate interfering compounds from a particular workplace, to take advantage of unique laboratory capabilities, to make use of equivalent sample preparation or analysis techniques, or to make possible the analysis of a single sample for multiple contaminants. NIOSH methods are evaluated with respect to the NIOSH accuracy criterion A = ±25%, wherein at least 95% of measurements must fall within 25% of the true (or reference) value.
2. When method modifications are made, quality control data demonstrating the reliability of the modified method must be obtained, recorded and reported. The methods published in NMAM are relied upon by authoritative bodies such as accrediting organizations and regulatory agencies. Besides sampling and analytical methods, NMAM also includes chapters on quality assurance, portable instrumentation, analysis of fibres, aerosol sampler design, and other guidance on specific areas of interest.