Which type of air sampling is typically concerned with evaluating a specific individual's exposure over time?

Personal sampling is the method that is specifically designed to evaluate an individual's exposure to airborne contaminants over a given time period. This technique typically involves placing a sampling device directly on a person, such as at the breathing zone, to capture the air they inhale. The objective is to provide a personal exposure measurement that reflects the specific conditions of that individual's work environment and the tasks they perform.

This approach is critical in occupational hygiene as it helps to establish a more accurate picture of exposure levels, which can vary significantly between individuals even in the same area. By focusing on the exposure experienced by a single worker, personal sampling accounts for factors such as movement, the specific tasks being performed, and variations in the work environment.

Other sampling methods, such as area sampling, typically measure airborne contaminant levels in a particular location and do not account for individual variation in exposure. Static sampling refers to capturing air samples from a stationary position without accounting for individual exposure dynamics. Active sampling signifies a method where air is actively drawn through a medium, but it can apply to both area and personal sampling without highlighting the individual focus that personal sampling emphasizes. Hence, personal sampling is the most appropriate choice for assessing an individual's specific exposure to contaminants over time.