MUK 4.1.2468-09 PDF

Full title and description

MUK 4.1.2468-09 — "Измерение массовых концентраций пыли в воздухе рабочей зоны предприятий горнорудной и нерудной промышленности" (English title: "Measuring mass concentrations of dust in the air of the working area of metal and non‑metal mining industry enterprises"). The document is a methodical instruction (МУК) that defines a gravimetric procedure for determining mass concentrations of airborne dust (aerosol dispersed phase) in workplace air for mining and non‑metallic mining enterprises.

Abstract

These methodical instructions specify a gravimetric (weight) method to collect and quantify airborne dust on filters and to calculate mass concentrations in units of mg/m³. The procedure covers sampling, sample handling (including extraction of mineral oils from filters where required), calculation and statistical treatment of results for control of both maximum instantaneous and average shift concentrations in mining and related workplaces. The method was intended for sanitary laboratories, industrial laboratories and research organisations performing occupational air monitoring.

General information

• Status: Replaced / superseded. MUK 4.1.2468-09 has been replaced by MUK 4.1.4155-25 (new methodical instructions approved July 25, 2025 and entered into force October 25, 2025).
• Publication date: Approved 2 February 2009; introduced into force (effective) 29 April 2009.
• Publisher: Federal service oversight in the field of consumer rights and human well‑being (Rospotrebnadzor) / Federal Centre of Hygiene and Epidemiology (as the publishing organisation for the methodical instructions).
• ICS / categories: Methods of control — chemical factors; occupational hygiene / workplace air monitoring; industrial hygiene guidance for mining and non‑metallic mining industries.
• Edition / version: MUK 4.1.2468-09 (original 2009 edition).
• Number of pages: 25 pages (original document).

Scope

The instruction applies to quantitative analysis of workplace air to determine dust mass concentrations (the dispersed phase of aerosols) by the gravimetric method in the measurement range from approximately 1 to 250 mg/m³. It covers selection and placement of sampling points in the breathing zone, procedures for taking discrete and continuous samples, sample handling, correction of sampled air volume to standard conditions, calculation of instantaneous and shift (time‑weighted average) concentrations, and basic statistical treatment (median, geometric standard deviation, repeatability/reproducibility limits). The document was focused on enterprises of the mining and non‑metallic mining sectors and on laboratories performing occupational air monitoring.

Key topics and requirements

• Gravimetric sampling and weighing procedures for dust collected on AFA‑VP type filters (filter preparation, conditioning, weighing before and after sampling, extraction of mineral oils when required).
• Sampling strategy: individual (short) samples and procedures for calculating maximum instantaneous (K_M) and shift average (K_ss) concentrations, including time‑weighted averaging when sample durations differ.
• Measurement range and metrological characteristics: specified measurement range (originally 1–250 mg/m³) and stated precision/uncertainty limits for repeatability and reproducibility under prescribed conditions.
• Conversion of sampled air volume to standard conditions (temperature and pressure corrections) and use of correction coefficients.
• Statistical processing: recommendations for using arithmetic mean, median, geometric standard deviation and reporting formats; guidance on rounding rules for different concentration ranges.
• Requirements for instrumentation, auxiliary equipment, consumables and operator qualification; safety and quality control measures for laboratory implementation.

Typical use and users

This methodical instruction was used by occupational hygiene laboratories, sanitary-epidemiological services, industrial and research laboratories, and environmental/occupational safety specialists working at metal and non‑metal mining enterprises. Typical applications included regulatory compliance monitoring against workplace exposure limits, pre‑shift and shift monitoring, evaluation of control measures and periodic surveillance of dust exposure for worker health protection.

Related standards

Referenced and related documents include national standards and rules on workplace air monitoring and measurement accuracy (for example, ГОСТ 12.1.016‑79, ГОСТ 12.1.005‑88, ГОСТ Р 8.563‑96 and GOST/GSI guidance on measurement accuracy and sampling), earlier MUKs (e.g., MUK 4436‑87 that was replaced) and more recent replacement guidance MUK 4.1.4155‑25 which updates and extends the measurement range and procedures.

Keywords

dust; gravimetric method; workplace air; mining industry; aerosol; AFA‑VP filter; mass concentration; occupational hygiene; sampling; statistical processing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: MUK 4.1.2468-09 is a Russian methodical instruction (МУК) that prescribes a gravimetric procedure for measuring mass concentrations of airborne dust in the working area of metal and non‑metal mining enterprises. It was approved in 2009 and provided practical, laboratory‑level methodology for sampling, weighing and calculation of dust concentrations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sampling (filter‑based gravimetric collection), filter handling and preparation (including treatment for mineral oils if necessary), conversion of sampled volumes to standard conditions, calculation of instantaneous and shift average concentrations, rounding/reporting rules, metrological characteristics (precision and uncertainty), and statistical treatment of measurement data. The original measurement range specified was about 1–250 mg/m³.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Sanitary laboratories, occupational hygiene services, industrial laboratory personnel, environmental monitoring teams, and researchers involved in workplace air quality assessment at mining and related industrial sites.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Superseded. MUK 4.1.2468-09 was replaced by MUK 4.1.4155-25 — the new methodical instructions were approved by Rospotrebnadzor on 25 July 2025 and entered into force on 25 October 2025; the newer document updates measurement limits and expands guidance (for example lowering the stated lower limit to 0.05 mg/m³ for certain aerosol types). Users conducting regulatory monitoring after October 25, 2025 should refer to MUK 4.1.4155-25.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — MUK 4.1.2468-09 is one of a set of "4.1 Methods of control. Chemical factors" methodical instructions used in Russian occupational and sanitary‑hygienic practice; it replaced earlier MUK 4436‑87 and itself has been replaced by a later MUK (4.1.4155‑25).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Dust, gravimetric sampling, workplace air monitoring, aerosols (fibrogenic aerosols), AFA‑VP filters, mass concentration (mg/m³), mining industry, occupational hygiene.