A Personal Particle Speciation Sampler

Dr. Susanne Hering of Aerosol Dynamics Inc and her colleagues set out to design and validate a personal monitoring sampler for particles smaller than 2.5 µm (PM_2.5) that is suitable for subsequent chemical speciation work. The sampler intended to meet the measurement needs for PM_2.5 mass concentration and several of its major constituents including elemental carbon, organic carbon, sulfates, and nitrates. The investigators selected and tested individual components of the sampler and then performed limited field tests of a prototype that incorporated testing for specific design components.