Particulate matter (PM) has been identified as one of the most critical environmental risks globally. Because of its acute health effects, we monitor PM. The WHO stated that high concentrations of small and fine particulate pollution is particularly associated with high numbers of deaths from heart disease and stroke, as well as respiratory illnesses and cancers. Monitoring is therefore essential, but there are almost as many monitoring methods as there are types of PM, so it is vitally important to monitor what matters.
PM10 is correctly defined particles which pass through a size-selective inlet with a 50% efficiency cut- off at 10 μm aerodynamic diameter, similarly PM2.5 has a mean aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm, though most often quoted as being of a diameter of less than 10 and 2.5 μm respectively. PM10 particles are also defined as both respirable and coarse particles, PM2.5 particles are also defined as fine particulates. Particles smaller than PM1.0 are referred to as ultrafines. As a particle reduces in size it penetrates more easily into the lungs, with ultrafines being able to cross the membrane of the lungs into the blood.
Several cities in India are listed among the worst in terms of air quality. Measurement of fine particulate matter of 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5) is considered to be the best indicator of the level of health risks from air pollution. The WHO suggest to reduce health burdens of PM, the air quality guidelines for particulate matter should be set at 20 and 10 μg m-3 for annual mean PM10 and PM2.5 respectively. If you are measuring dust from a construction site, the PM is relatively large in diameter and heavy, but if you are monitoring PM from diesel emissions in a city, the smallest particles with much less mass but high particle numbers, are of greater interest. Monitoring a single size fraction provides an incomplete picture of particulate contamination and risks ignoring the PM of most interest, particularly if the ignored fractions are the finer particles that travel deepest into the lungs.
Palas FIDAS, measures PM2.5 and PM10 continuously as well as other PM fractions and particulates. The instrument utilizes a white light LED source to measure optical light scattering of single particles to measure both size and number of particles. The FIDAS can measure both PM2.5 & PM10 simultaneously via just one inlet. The Fidas 200 is a fine dust ambient air quality monitoring device, developed specifically for regulatory purposes; providing continuous and simultaneous measurement of PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, TSP (PMtot), as well as particle number concentration and particle size distribution between 180nm and 18μm (further non-certified size ranges are also available on request). The product is certified to the highest level by TUV, MCERTS, DEFRA’s UK PM Pollution Climate standard and has type-approval to EN 12341 (PM10), EN 14907 (PM2.5) Standards and certified to Standards EN 15267-1 and -2.
AQ Guard from Palas is the most advanced compact aerosol spectrometer for particulates measurement. This fine dust ambient air quality monitoring device for regulatory purposes; provides continuous and simultaneous measurement of PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, TSP, as well as particle number concentration and particle size distribution between 175 nm and 20 µm. Exceptional long term stability of the measuring system is achieved by automatic calibration tracking and allows up to two years of operation without recalibration.
AQ Guard features fast data interfaces and allows real time access over Ethernet, Wi-Fi or cellular network. Since all results are calculated and recorded within the analyser it requires no external data processing by, e.g., cloud computing. Users retain full control over their data and decide over information access. Compact design and optional power supply on the Ethernet port (PoE) simplifies installation in buildings and integration in an existing infrastructure. Optional Connectivity package offering 4G network access allows for installation across regions with poor internet access.
The presentation provides an overview of Single Particle Analysis with light scattering technology for the environmental measurement of dust concentrations – the future standard to continuously measure particulate matter. The advantages of FIDAS 200 (approved for regulatory measurement) and AQ Guard with respect to other technologies were discussed.
We hoped you enjoyed our webinar “Technology for Environmental Measurement of Dust Concentrations – The future standard to continuously measure Particulate Matter (PM)” as much as we did! If you weren’t able to make it, catch our replay.