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A Pilot Study: The UNC Passive Aerosol Sampler in a Working Environment
Mariam Shirdel1, Håkan Wingfors2, Britt M Andersson3
1Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
Annals of Work Exposures and Health
|October 14, 2017
Summary
The University of North Carolina (UNC) passive aerosol sampler underestimated dust concentrations compared to traditional impactors. Carbon tabs (CT) are recommended over polycarbonate (PC) for collection surfaces due to lower blank values.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Monitoring
- Aerosol Science
Background:
- Traditional dust sampling uses energy-intensive air pumps.
- Passive sampling offers a potentially cost-effective alternative for aerosol monitoring.
- The University of North Carolina (UNC) passive aerosol sampler is a promising new technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and compare the performance of the UNC passive sampler.
- To evaluate the UNC sampler against established PM10 and PM2.5 impactors.
- To assess performance in a real-world working environment.
Main Methods:
- Area sampling conducted in mining locations.
- Simultaneous sampling using UNC samplers and PM2.5/PM10 impactors.
- Utilized two collection surfaces for UNC samplers: polycarbonate (PC) and carbon tabs (CT).
Main Results:
- UNC samplers consistently underestimated particle mass concentrations.
- Underestimation was more pronounced for PM2.5 than PM10.
- Carbon tabs (CT) exhibited lower and less variable blank values compared to polycarbonate (PC).
Conclusions:
- The UNC passive sampler shows potential but requires further validation for accurate dust concentration measurement.
- Carbon tabs are preferable to polycarbonate for collection surfaces in the UNC sampler.
- Future studies should focus on respirable dust sampling validation in occupational settings.