What is the purpose of field blanks in air monitoring?

Field blanks serve a vital purpose in air monitoring by accounting for potential contamination during sampling procedures. When air samples are collected, there is always a risk that external contaminants may influence the results, leading to inaccurate readings of asbestos levels or other airborne pollutants. By using field blanks, which are samples taken without air exposure to the monitored environment, technicians can identify and quantify any contamination that occurs during the sampling process itself. This helps in ensuring that the data collected reflects the true air quality of the environment being monitored, free from any outside influences that could skew the results.

The identification and quantification of potential contamination through field blanks is essential for maintaining the integrity and reliability of air monitoring efforts, particularly in environments where asbestos and other hazardous materials are present.