To avoid contaminating a bulk sample, what should be done?

Cleaning sampling instruments between samples is crucial for avoiding contamination of a bulk sample. When sampling for occupational hygiene monitoring, any residue or particles left on the sampling tools from previous samples can introduce unwanted variables and distort the results. By thoroughly cleaning the instruments between uses, you ensure that each sample collected truly represents the environment or material being tested without the influence of contaminants from prior samples.

This practice highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of sampling protocols in occupational hygiene. Proper cleaning procedures can involve using solvents or other appropriate cleaning agents, along with thorough rinsing and drying, to eliminate any trace substances that may interfere with analyte detection or quantification.

In contrast, using the same instruments without proper cleaning could lead to cross-contamination, collecting samples in open containers may expose them to environmental contaminants, and storing samples at room temperature may not preserve their integrity, depending on the specifics of the materials being sampled. Each of these alternatives fails to maintain the purity and accuracy required for reliable bulk sampling analysis.