Guest guest Posted July 15, 2004 Report Share Posted July 15, 2004 Actually, there was an article a few months back in IE Connections about the use of a particle counter to isolate the source of mold. The author described how he was able to isolate the problem by measuring particle counts near supply registers. Like you Lee, I have been searching for any type of technical data, protocol, standard procedures and have come up with VERY little on this topic. No studies, no standards, that I could find ... if anyone has a good source, please share it. I have used a 6-channel particle counter regularly for a year now (in IAQ investigations) and on numerous occasions the instrument pinpointed the exact source of the problem. I must admit, it took me a while to learn how to interpret the readings. I have developed my own method but I sure wish I could learn from other folks who are successfully using this tool ! Personally, I have come to rely on this instrument a great deal. This piece of equipment really talks to you once you learn how to use it. I think in the future we're going to see a lot more about particle counters in IAQ investigations, in particular Ultra Fine Particle counters (UFP). From what I've been reading, they too can be invaluable in pinpointing the source of IAQ problems, maybe even more so than the standard particle counters which typically only measure particles .3 micron and up. The ultra fine particles tell another story .... e Indoor Environmental Testing Inc. Re: Particle Counter Hey Folks, on the subject of particulate counters, is there a standard methodology or protocol on how to incorporate them in your ieq investigations? I have not been able to find a definitive explanation of what to look for. Common sense tells you to do comparative sampling from outside, to effected, to UN-effected areas. Sounds like a subject for one of the esteemed authors who frequent this board to address in a future trade magazine article. Lee R. RameyTo the Rescue! & Mold and Mildew Solutions LLC716 Ninth St. No,Birmingham Al 35203Mailing Address:P.O. Box 311405Birmingham Al 35231 (spells 25clean)Fax To The Rescue! Carpet and Specialized Cleaning www.totherescue.ccemail: lrramey@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2004 Report Share Posted July 15, 2004 Could you explain the 6 channel significance please? Jeff charlton in London -----Original Message-----From: e Sent: 15 July 2004 18:22To: iequality Subject: Re: Particle Counter Actually, there was an article a few months back in IE Connections about the use of a particle counter to isolate the source of mold. The author described how he was able to isolate the problem by measuring particle counts near supply registers. Like you Lee, I have been searching for any type of technical data, protocol, standard procedures and have come up with VERY little on this topic. No studies, no standards, that I could find ... if anyone has a good source, please share it. I have used a 6-channel particle counter regularly for a year now (in IAQ investigations) and on numerous occasions the instrument pinpointed the exact source of the problem. I must admit, it took me a while to learn how to interpret the readings. I have developed my own method but I sure wish I could learn from other folks who are successfully using this tool ! Personally, I have come to rely on this instrument a great deal. This piece of equipment really talks to you once you learn how to use it. I think in the future we're going to see a lot more about particle counters in IAQ investigations, in particular Ultra Fine Particle counters (UFP). From what I've been reading, they too can be invaluable in pinpointing the source of IAQ problems, maybe even more so than the standard particle counters which typically only measure particles .3 micron and up. The ultra fine particles tell another story ... e Indoor Environmental Testing Inc. Re: Particle Counter Hey Folks, on the subject of particulate counters, is there a standard methodology or protocol on how to incorporate them in your ieq investigations? I have not been able to find a definitive explanation of what to look for. Common sense tells you to do comparative sampling from outside, to effected, to UN-effected areas. Sounds like a subject for one of the esteemed authors who frequent this board to address in a future trade magazine article. Lee R. RameyTo the Rescue! & Mold and Mildew Solutions LLC716 Ninth St. No,Birmingham Al 35203Mailing Address:P.O. Box 311405Birmingham Al 35231 (spells 25clean)Fax To The Rescue! Carpet and Specialized Cleaning www.totherescue.ccemail: lrramey@...FAIR USE NOTICE:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2004 Report Share Posted July 15, 2004 Jeff: 6-channel means the particle counter counts 6 different size of particles. For example, my Particle Counter counts particles that are .5, .7, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 micron in size. It can be programmed to measure .3, .5, .7, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 micron particles. Some particle counters are one-channel or 2-channel, some are programmable so you can change the size of the particles you wish to count, some are fixed. The counts are used in a similar way to spore trap counts in that particle counts are taken outside and compared to inside counts. In addition, if a certain size particle has a high count, or if a room has higher counts than another room, this info gives you hints to investigate further. For example, and have ZERO scientific data to back this up - just my own observation - I have found that if the particle count is high in the 2 to 10 micron range, mold contamination is often present and this is confirmed by my spore trap test results. The particle counter guides me closer to the source (i.e. as I get closer to the contaminated area, the particle counts get higher and higher). This is logical since many mold spores fall in the 2 to 10 micron range. If the small-size particle count is very high in a complaint area (as compared to outdoors or to other rooms), this leads me to investigate other culprits like wood burning, candles, smoking, etc ...This is a bit more tricky because the particles are much smaller with this type of pollution and the average particle counter can't count particles that small. It is a very inexact science for sure but yet it gives you clues that make your job easier. I have been searching for better data on particle sizes and would love to hear other people's methods and theories on using a particle counter in IAQ work. That was a long-winded answer to a simple question. Sorry about that !! e Indoor Environmental Testing Inc. Re: Particle Counter Hey Folks, on the subject of particulate counters, is there a standard methodology or protocol on how to incorporate them in your ieq investigations? I have not been able to find a definitive explanation of what to look for. Common sense tells you to do comparative sampling from outside, to effected, to UN-effected areas. Sounds like a subject for one of the esteemed authors who frequent this board to address in a future trade magazine article. Lee R. RameyTo the Rescue! & Mold and Mildew Solutions LLC716 Ninth St. No,Birmingham Al 35203Mailing Address:P.O. Box 311405Birmingham Al 35231 (spells 25clean)Fax To The Rescue! Carpet and Specialized Cleaning www.totherescue.ccemail: lrramey@...FAIR USE NOTICE:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. FAIR USE NOTICE:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2004 Report Share Posted July 15, 2004 Hi Jeff I would appreciate your help on how to purchase such a channeled particle counter Regards Samih Sarhan Snr. Occ. Hygienist Kuwait Oil Company sarhansamih@... > >Reply-To: iequality >To: <iequality > >Subject: Re: Particle Counter >Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 19:10:12 -0500 > >Jeff: >6-channel means the particle counter counts 6 different size of particles. For example, my Particle Counter counts particles that are .5, .7, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 micron in size. It can be programmed to measure .3, .5, .7, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 micron particles. Some particle counters are one-channel or 2-channel, some are programmable so you can change the size of the particles you wish to count, some are fixed. > >The counts are used in a similar way to spore trap counts in that particle counts are taken outside and compared to inside counts. In addition, if a certain size particle has a high count, or if a room has higher counts than another room, this info gives you hints to investigate further. > >For example, and have ZERO scientific data to back this up - just my own observation - I have found that if the particle count is high in the 2 to 10 micron range, mold contamination is often present and this is confirmed by my spore trap test results. The particle counter guides me closer to the source (i.e. as I get closer to the contaminated area, the particle counts get higher and higher). This is logical since many mold spores fall in the 2 to 10 micron range. > >If the small-size particle count is very high in a complaint area (as compared to outdoors or to other rooms), this leads me to investigate other culprits like wood burning, candles, smoking, etc ...This is a bit more tricky because the particles are much smaller with this type of pollution and the average particle counter can't count particles that small. > >It is a very inexact science for sure but yet it gives you clues that make your job easier. I have been searching for better data on particle sizes and would love to hear other people's methods and theories on using a particle counter in IAQ work. > >That was a long-winded answer to a simple question. Sorry about that !! > >e >Indoor Environmental Testing Inc. > > > Re: Particle Counter > > > Hey Folks, on the subject of particulate counters, is there a standard methodology or protocol on how to incorporate them in your ieq investigations? I have not been able to find a definitive explanation of what to look for. Common sense tells you to do comparative sampling from outside, to effected, to UN-effected areas. Sounds like a subject for one of the esteemed authors who frequent this board to address in a future trade magazine article. > > Lee R. Ramey > To the Rescue! > & Mold and Mildew Solutions LLC > 716 Ninth St. No, > Birmingham Al 35203 > Mailing Address: > P.O. Box 311405 > Birmingham Al 35231 > (spells 25clean) > Fax > To The Rescue! Carpet and Specialized Cleaning > www.totherescue.cc > email: lrramey@... > > > > > FAIR USE NOTICE: > > This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. > > > > > FAIR USE NOTICE: > > This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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