10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
A Study Using Open-face Passive Samplers to Measure PM Concentration
ZHONG-MIN WANG, Yixin Zhou, Fraser Gaspar, Bradman Asa, Ryuzaburo Kamiya, California Department of Public Health
Abstract Number: 590 Working Group: Indoor Aerosols
Abstract Simpler and less expensive samplers for monitoring exposures to airborne particulate matter (PM) in indoor environments are needed. In 15 northern California childcare facilities, we deployed open-faced poly-carbonate substrate passive aerosol samplers (OPS) and then used computer controlled scanning electron microscopy to measure indoor PM particle size, number, and elemental concentration. Particle concentration were compared to PM concentrations measured by filter-based active samplers. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient between PM mass concentrations estimated from the OPS versus gravimetric methods was 0.77 for PM2.5 and 0.95 for PM10, respectively, indicating positive correlation between the passive and active sampler results. PM and elemental composition varied by facility location and interior characteristics of the childcare facilities such as floor type, presence of combustion source, occupant density, and the level of activity. The rich carbon content in the polymer-based polycarbonate substrate produced positive bias in the carbon concentration analysis. Based on the carbon concentration determined using a copper substrate, a correction factor was needed to determine the total carbon concentrations in the sampled PM for the polycarbonate substrate passive sampler. Overall, the results demonstrated that the OPS collected sufficient aerosol particles in one business day (6-8 hours) to assess PM levels.