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Composition and Distribution Analysis of Bioaerosols Under Different Environmental Conditions
Published on: January 7, 2019
Workplace aerosol mass concentration measurement using optical particle counters.
Peter Görner1, Xavier Simon, Denis Bémer
1Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, 1 rue du Morvan, CS 60027, 54519 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
Journal of Environmental Monitoring : JEM
|October 20, 2011
Summary
Direct-reading aerosol measurement using optical particle counters (OPC) can accurately assess workplace particle mass concentration. This method correlates well with traditional sampling, offering a more comprehensive analysis of inhalable and respirable fractions.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Hygiene
- Aerosol Science
- Environmental Monitoring
Background:
- Direct-reading aerosol measurement relies on optical properties, with photometry and optical particle counting (OPC) being common methods.
- Mass concentration measurement is crucial for occupational hygiene, but photometry can be biased by particle size distribution.
- OPC measures particle number and size, enabling mass concentration assessment for spherical particles of known density.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the field calibration of an optical particle counter (OPC) for measuring workplace aerosol mass concentration.
- To compare OPC-derived mass concentration data with conventional gravimetric sampling methods.
- To assess the OPC's ability to measure inhalable, respirable, and thoracic aerosol fractions.
Main Methods:
- An adapted OPC (GRIMM® 1.108) was used to measure aerosol concentrations in a food industry setting with a mixed calcium carbonate and fungi spore aerosol.
- Simultaneous sampling was performed using CIP 10-Inhalable and CIP 10-Respirable (ARELCO®) samplers.
- OPC data, including particle size distribution and estimated particle density, were used to calculate mass concentration.
Main Results:
- Calculated inhalable and respirable aerosol fractions from OPC data showed close correlation with results from size-selective sampling.
- The modified OPC inlet demonstrated adequate sampling of inhalable aerosol across the workplace particle-size distribution.
- OPC data enabled the calculation of the thoracic aerosol fraction, valuable for assessing allergenic particles.
Conclusions:
- Field calibration of OPCs is feasible for accurate workplace aerosol mass concentration monitoring.
- OPCs offer a more comprehensive assessment of aerosol exposure, including fractions not directly measured by traditional samplers.
- The adapted OPC provides reliable data for occupational hygiene assessments, particularly for mixed aerosols and allergenic particles.
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