Field comparison between electrostatic charge and light scattering monitors for continuous monitoring of airborne PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 mass concentrations

Abstract

This study evaluates and simultaneously compares two monitors, an electrostatic PM mass and a light scattering, DustTrak 8533 mass monitor, TSI Incorporated, for PM1. 0, PM2. 5 and PM10 measurements at ambient conditions at the Research Unit of Applied Electric Field in Engineering (RUEE), Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (Doi Saket), Pa Pong, Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, Thailand during May 6–9, 2015. The two different instruments showed good results that were highly correlated. It was found that the comparison between the EPMM and the DustTrak 8533 values were R2 of 0.8144, 0.9364, and 0.7657, and a slope of 0.7965, 1.0260, and 0.9556 for PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10, respectively. Relative humidity and temperature played an important role in PM mass concentration and its electrical properties. Particularly, EPMM proved its advantages in measuring and detecting PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10 particulate air pollution for mass concentrations in the range from 0.01 to 500 µg/m3 because it was not affected by hygroscopic growth of the PM.

Keywords

• particulate matter
• PM
• mass monitor
• electrostatic charge
• light scattering laser