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Assessing indoor airborne particulate matter

6/23/2017

1 Comment

 
The June 2017 issue of the ASHRAE Journal features an article on measurement of indoor airborne particulate matter. The article cautions against comparing real-time nephelometric measurements of particulate matter to USEPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter or OSHA standards.

Nephelometers detect particles and measure light scattering by the particle. A mass concentration estimate can be obtained based on assumptions about optical properties and density. Real-time multi-fraction particle counters can be useful in refining building assessments beyond the use of CO2 concentrations as an indicator of ventilation. Although there are no health-based guidelines for PM limits using real-time count concentration values, comparing indoor results to outdoor results or assessing spaces over time can provide "practical, inexpensive guidance on managing the PM burden in a space" (p. 86). Fine particles have been associated with cardiovascular disease while coarse particles have been associated with respiratory disease, although there is an overlap in effects.
1 Comment
Ian Cull, PE, CIH link
7/17/2017 09:18:46 am

Great blog... I'll add it to my reading list.

I suspect that in the future health based standards for particulate matter will be based on count, rather than mass. My hunch is that counts are more health-relevant than mass, which will overemphasize the larger particles in a range.

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