P403 – Air Sampling and Fibre Counting
(PCM) Practice Examination Questions
With Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of personal air sampling during
asbestos work?
A. To determine building age
B. To measure worker exposure to airborne fibres
C. To identify asbestos type
D. To measure room temperature
Correct Answer: B. To measure worker exposure to airborne
fibres
Rationale: Personal air sampling is conducted within the
breathing zone of the worker to assess exposure to airborne
asbestos fibres and determine compliance with exposure
limits.
,2. Which component is responsible for drawing air through a
sampling cassette?
A. Microscope
B. Calibration tube
C. Sampling pump
D. Fibre counter
Correct Answer: C. Sampling pump
Rationale: The sampling pump creates airflow through the
filter cassette, allowing airborne fibres to be collected for
subsequent analysis.
3. What is the usual location of a personal sampling head?
A. At floor level
B. On the worker's belt
C. Within the breathing zone
D. Outside the work area
Correct Answer: C. Within the breathing zone
Rationale: The sampling head should be positioned close to
the nose and mouth, generally within 300 mm of the
breathing zone, to represent inhaled exposure accurately.
,4. Which filter type is commonly used for asbestos PCM
sampling?
A. Glass fibre filter
B. Mixed cellulose ester filter
C. Paper filter
D. HEPA filter
Correct Answer: B. Mixed cellulose ester filter
Rationale: Mixed cellulose ester (MCE) membrane filters are
the standard collection medium for PCM fibre counting
because they can be rendered transparent for microscopic
examination.
5. What is the typical pore size of an asbestos PCM sampling
filter?
A. 5.0 μm
B. 8.0 μm
C. 0.8 μm
D. 20 μm
Correct Answer: C. 0.8 μm
Rationale: A pore size of approximately 0.8 μm is commonly
used to efficiently collect airborne asbestos fibres while
maintaining acceptable airflow.
, 6. Why must sampling pumps be calibrated?
A. To identify asbestos type
B. To determine humidity
C. To ensure accurate airflow rates
D. To improve microscopy
Correct Answer: C. To ensure accurate airflow rates
Rationale: Accurate airflow is essential for calculating sampled
air volume and fibre concentrations. Calibration verifies that
the pump operates at the intended flow rate.
7. When should a sampling pump be calibrated?
A. Only before use
B. Only after use
C. Before and after sampling
D. Once annually
Correct Answer: C. Before and after sampling
Rationale: Pre- and post-sampling calibrations confirm that
the pump maintained the required flow rate throughout the
sampling period.
8. What is the primary purpose of a flow calibrator?
(PCM) Practice Examination Questions
With Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of personal air sampling during
asbestos work?
A. To determine building age
B. To measure worker exposure to airborne fibres
C. To identify asbestos type
D. To measure room temperature
Correct Answer: B. To measure worker exposure to airborne
fibres
Rationale: Personal air sampling is conducted within the
breathing zone of the worker to assess exposure to airborne
asbestos fibres and determine compliance with exposure
limits.
,2. Which component is responsible for drawing air through a
sampling cassette?
A. Microscope
B. Calibration tube
C. Sampling pump
D. Fibre counter
Correct Answer: C. Sampling pump
Rationale: The sampling pump creates airflow through the
filter cassette, allowing airborne fibres to be collected for
subsequent analysis.
3. What is the usual location of a personal sampling head?
A. At floor level
B. On the worker's belt
C. Within the breathing zone
D. Outside the work area
Correct Answer: C. Within the breathing zone
Rationale: The sampling head should be positioned close to
the nose and mouth, generally within 300 mm of the
breathing zone, to represent inhaled exposure accurately.
,4. Which filter type is commonly used for asbestos PCM
sampling?
A. Glass fibre filter
B. Mixed cellulose ester filter
C. Paper filter
D. HEPA filter
Correct Answer: B. Mixed cellulose ester filter
Rationale: Mixed cellulose ester (MCE) membrane filters are
the standard collection medium for PCM fibre counting
because they can be rendered transparent for microscopic
examination.
5. What is the typical pore size of an asbestos PCM sampling
filter?
A. 5.0 μm
B. 8.0 μm
C. 0.8 μm
D. 20 μm
Correct Answer: C. 0.8 μm
Rationale: A pore size of approximately 0.8 μm is commonly
used to efficiently collect airborne asbestos fibres while
maintaining acceptable airflow.
, 6. Why must sampling pumps be calibrated?
A. To identify asbestos type
B. To determine humidity
C. To ensure accurate airflow rates
D. To improve microscopy
Correct Answer: C. To ensure accurate airflow rates
Rationale: Accurate airflow is essential for calculating sampled
air volume and fibre concentrations. Calibration verifies that
the pump operates at the intended flow rate.
7. When should a sampling pump be calibrated?
A. Only before use
B. Only after use
C. Before and after sampling
D. Once annually
Correct Answer: C. Before and after sampling
Rationale: Pre- and post-sampling calibrations confirm that
the pump maintained the required flow rate throughout the
sampling period.
8. What is the primary purpose of a flow calibrator?
