Introduction
Particulate Sampling (Aerosols/Dust Vapors)
EVM Series User Manual
3
Particulate Sizes
Aerosols and gases are experienced in industrial processes, workplaces, and in everyday life. Keeping
in mind that inhalable dust is 100 microns and smaller, this dust is usually filtered through the hairs and
membranes in your sinuses. 10 microns and smaller is considered “thoracic”, 4-10 microns is “inhalable”
reaching into your windpipe and other regions, and 4 microns and smaller is “respirable”. These
particulate sizes will represent what you will be measuring.
The figure below identifies different types and sizes of particulates and how it affects the human body.
Gases
and
Aerosols
Defin
ed
-----
Liquid
: Mist
--------------►
-----
Solid:
Fume
---►
◄--------
Spray
----------------
◄-------
Particulates
----------
Aerosols and
Particles
Medical
implications
◄
---
Oil smokes
---►
◄-------------
◄
---------------
Cement dust
-----------►
---
Fly ash
----------------------
----
Tobacco smoke
--►
◄
--------------
-
-- Coal dust
---------------►
◄
---
Pollens
-------------►
◄--
Atmosphere/Airborne--►
inhalable particulates
◄--
Wood
.►
Dust
◄--
Textiles
--►
Dust
---------
Respirable pm
---------►
(inhaled & penetrates the lungs)
---
Thoracic pm
------------------------►
(inhaled & penetrates the larynx/throat)
---------------------------
-Inhalable pm
------------------►
(inhaled via the nose and /or mouth)
.01
0.1
1
10
100
1000
Particle matter (pm) diameter μm
Figure 1-2: Particulates and diameter size
