Comparative testing of a miniature diffusion size classifier to assess airborne ultrafine particles under field conditions

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_7EC1A957D000
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Comparative testing of a miniature diffusion size classifier to assess airborne ultrafine particles under field conditions
Journal
Aerosol Science and Technology
Author(s)
Meier Reto, Clark Katherine, Riediker Michael
ISSN
0278-6826
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
47
Number
1
Pages
22-28
Language
english
Notes
Pas dans Pubmed / 20120910/asg
Abstract
Miniature diffusion size classifiers (miniDiSC) are novel handheld devices to measure ultrafine particles (UFP). UFP have been linked to the development of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases; thus, detection and quantification of these particles are important for evaluating their potential health hazards. As part of the UFP exposure assessments of highwaymaintenance workers in western Switzerland, we compared a miniDiSC with a portable condensation particle counter (P-TRAK). In addition, we performed stationary measurements with a miniDiSC and a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) at a site immediately adjacent to a highway. Measurements with miniDiSC and P-TRAK correlated well (correlation of r = 0.84) but average particle numbers of the miniDiSC were 30%âeuro"60% higher. This difference was significantly increased for mean particle diameters below 40 nm. The correlation between theminiDiSC and the SMPSduring stationary measurements was very high (r = 0.98) although particle numbers from the miniDiSC were 30% lower. Differences between the three devices were attributed to the different cutoff diameters for detection. Correction for this size dependent effect led to very similar results across all counters.We did not observe any significant influence of other particle characteristics. Our results suggest that the miniDiSC provides accurate particle number concentrations and geometric mean diameters at traffic-influenced sites, making it a useful tool for personal exposure assessment in such settings.
Keywords
Aerosols, Particulate Matter, Particle Size, Motor Vehicles, Occupational Exposure, Environmental Monitoring
Web of science
Create date
19/09/2012 13:53
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:39
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