NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) 5th Edition

NMAM is a collection of sampling and analytical methods for workplace exposure monitoring. It includes methods for workplace air, surfaces, and blood and urine. NMAM includes chapters on method evaluation, sampling, and more.

NIOSH or its partners have developed or adapted the methods included in the NMAM. NIOSH evaluates the methods according to established protocols and performance criteria.

NIOSH recommends using the best method available for making each measurement. Other published methods may have advantages over NIOSH methods for a given sampling situation.

Other potential method sources include:

An Industrial Hygienist should determine the sampling protocol, considering analytical accuracy, cost, and optimum sample number. Every method should undergo an initial evaluation to demonstrate performance. When using a method in a laboratory that did not perform the initial evaluation, verify it is possible to obtain comparable results. NIOSH methods may need modification. If modified, users should re-evaluate the method. For example, various OSHA regulations (e.g. benzene) mention performance criteria for evaluating the chosen method.

Not all 4^th edition NIOSH methods are in the NMAM 5^th edition. This fact does not indicate that 4^th edition NMAM methods are invalid or not supported. It is simply an indication of where our limited resources have focused. Unless marked otherwise, NMAM 4^th edition methods are valid and supported.

Remember, the NMAM 5^th edition is a living document that is updated as new or revised methods and chapters are ready for publication.

In the Find a Method section below, NMAM 5^th edition methods can be found by Chemical Name, Chemical CAS Number, or Method Number.  We’ve introduced a new search box that allows you to find methods from both the 4th and 5th editions of NMAM using various keywords, such as analyte, instrumentation, and sampler. You can also filter the search results by edition if needed.