Ultrafine Particle Sampling with the UNC Passive Aerosol Sampler

Nash, David G.; Leith, David

doi:10.1080/02786826.2010.509747

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The area factor model used herein, only considering the ratio between open and closed area of the mesh cap, should not be interpreted as similar to the model proposed by Nash and Leith (2010) for the much smaller, mainly diffusing, ultrafine particles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Improving the UNC Passive Aerosol Sampler Model Based on Comparison with Commonly Used Aerosol Sampling Methods

Shirdel

Andersson

Bergdahl

et al. 2017

Annals of Work Exposures and Health

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ObjectivesIn an occupational environment, passive sampling could be an alternative to active sampling with pumps for sampling of dust. One passive sampler is the University of North Carolina passive aerosol sampler (UNC sampler). It is often analysed by microscopic imaging. Promising results have been shown for particles above 2.5 µm, but indicate large underestimations for PM2.5. The aim of this study was to evaluate, and possibly improve, the UNC sampler for stationary sampling in a working environment.MethodsSampling was carried out at 8-h intervals during 24 h in four locations in an open pit mine with UNC samplers, respirable cyclones, PM10 and PM2.5 impactors, and an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS). The wind was minimal. For quantification, two modifications of the UNC sampler analysis model, UNC sampler with hybrid model and UNC sampler with area factor, were compared with the original one, UNC sampler with mesh factor derived from wind tunnel experiments. The effect of increased resolution for the microscopic imaging was examined.ResultsUse of the area factor and a higher resolution eliminated the underestimation for PM10 and PM2.5. The model with area factor had the overall lowest deviation versus the impactor and the cyclone. The intraclass correlation (ICC) showed that the UNC sampler had a higher precision and better ability to distinguish between different exposure levels compared to the cyclone (ICC: 0.51 versus 0.24), but lower precision compared to the impactor (PM10: 0.79 versus 0.99; PM2.5: 0.30 versus 0.45). The particle size distributions as calculated from the different UNC sampler analysis models were visually compared with the distributions determined by APS. The distributions were obviously different when the UNC sampler with mesh factor was used but came to a reasonable agreement when the area factor was used.ConclusionsHigh resolution combined with a factor based on area only, results in no underestimation of small particles compared to impactors and cyclones and a better agreement with the APS’s particle size distributions. The UNC sampler had lower precision than the impactors, but higher than the respirable cyclone. The UNC sampler with area factor could be used for PM2.5, PM10 and respirable fraction measurements in this working environment without wind.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Improving the UNC Passive Aerosol Sampler Model Based on Comparison with Commonly Used Aerosol Sampling Methods

Shirdel

Andersson

Bergdahl

et al. 2017

Annals of Work Exposures and Health

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show abstract

“…The deposition velocity model is a modified version of an expression developed by Nash and Leith (2010):…”

Section: Electron Microscopy Analyses and Concentration Calculationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Composition of particulate matter during a wildfire smoke episode in an urban area

Sparks

Wagner

2021

Aerosol Science and Technology

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“…Ultrafine PM was measured in 24 homes using the same passive aerosol sampler with a Pelco Formvar Carbon Type-B grid (Ted Pella, Inc., Redding, California) [25]. These ultrafine PM samples were analyzed at the UNC using field emission scanning electron microscopy operated at 125 kX.…”

Section: Indoor Air Pollutant Measurements-particulate Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Air Quality in the United Arab Emirates

Funk¹,

Pleil²,

Pedit³

et al. 2014

JEP

Self Cite

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Air quality was measured inside 628 United Arab Emirates (UAE) personal residences. Weekly average concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), formaldehyde (HCHO), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), sulfur dioxide (SO 2), and three size fractions of particulate matter (PM 2.5 , PM c , and PM 10) were determined in each home. In a subset of the homes, measurements of outdoor air quality, ultrafine PM concentrations, and elemental PM concentrations were also made. Questionnaires were administered to obtain information on housing demographics and lifestyle habits. Air measurements were performed using simple and cost effective passive samplers. The 90 th percentiles of indoor CO, HCHO, H 2 S, NO 2 , and SO 2 were 1.55 ppm, 0.05 ppm, 0.12 ppm, 0.01 ppm, and 0.05 ppm, respectively. Median indoor PM 2.5 , PM c , and PM 10 , concentrations were 5.73 µg/m 3 , 29.4 µg/m 3 , and 35.2 µg/m 3 , respectively. The median indoor concentration of ultrafine PM was 3.62 × 10 10 particles/m 3. Indoor/outdoor ratios for PM were 0.44, 0.41, and 0.38 for ultrafine PM, PM 2.5 , and PM 10 , respectively. These values fall within the range of other indoor air studies findings conducted in developing countries. Air conditioning, smoking, and attached kitchens were significantly correlated with indoor levels of carbon monoxide. In addition, indoor concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were significantly correlated with vehicles parked within five meters of the home, central air conditioning, and having attached kitchens. This is the first robust indoor air * Corresponding author. W. E. Funk et al. 710 quality data set developed for the UAE. This study demonstrates that screening level tools are a good initial step for assessing air quality when logistical issues (distance, language, cultural, training) and intrusion into personal lives need to be minimized.

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Ultrafine Particle Sampling with the UNC Passive Aerosol Sampler

Cited by 15 publications

References 14 publications

Improving the UNC Passive Aerosol Sampler Model Based on Comparison with Commonly Used Aerosol Sampling Methods

Improving the UNC Passive Aerosol Sampler Model Based on Comparison with Commonly Used Aerosol Sampling Methods

Composition of particulate matter during a wildfire smoke episode in an urban area

Indoor Air Quality in the United Arab Emirates

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