Are personal air monitors worthwhile to prevent over exposure to poor air quality?

Yes, they can be very worthwhile — especially for workers who move around a lot or perform tasks that create dust, fumes or vapour. Personal monitors sit close to the breathing zone, so they give a realistic picture of what the person actually breathes in, not just what the room looks like.

They’re not needed in every job, and they’re not a replacement for proper ventilation, but they’re a great tool for confirming whether controls are effective. Many companies use personal sampling to catch hidden issues they wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.