The measurement of 'environmental tobacco smoke' particulates

An analysis of sidestream smoke particulates in a wide range of study conditions, utilizing a variety of methods of measurement, was undertaken. The conclusion is that the term 'total particulate matter', as defined for mainstream smoke, has little or no meaning in the context of environmental tobacco smoke. Light-scattering instruments offer, in terms of portability and short sampling times, the best option for ambient particulate measurement. However, any quantitative interpretation of the results is dependent upon the initial calibration.