SV: Particle Counter

[Guest guest]

I have used the same kind of 6-channel particle counter to convince a client that burning of candle-lights actually was the maine source of "black soot depositions" in the appartement.

When I held the the sampler about a meter over a burning/flickering light the readings went "throug the roof" compared to counts in the living-room and outdoors before "lighting up". Maybe not scientifically significant but surely convincing.

I was also able to show that the small amounts of air coming in through the elevator door (negative preassure) contained smaller amounts of particles (at least at the time of measuring) than the air in the living room.

I think the possibilitie to "search" for sources is most usefull as the numerical values of the counts are more difficult to interpret.

Ole Carlson

Mycoteam as, Norway

"The more I learn,

the more I learn

how much I have to learn. "

-----Opprinnelig melding-----Fra: e Sendt: 16. juli 2004 02:10Til: iequality Emne: Re: Particle Counter

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. 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.