ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING, MONITORING

At TSI Incorporated, Particle Science Meets Ambient Air Monitoring

With a wide range of practical tools -- that are easy to install and operate; have flexible, convenient data aquisition options; and boast long-term, problem free performance requiring minimal maintenance -- researchers the world over have come to rely upon TSI Environmental Monitoring instruments.

TSI particle instruments are providing invaluable data at diverse outdoor locations to help researchers better understand the world around us. From the high mountains to the Grand Canyon, from the Arctic to the hearts of large cities, our instruments have been part of this critical research for over 40 years. 

TSI Offers Measurement Solutions for Ultrafine Particle (UFP) Monitoring

What are Ultrafine Particles (UFP)?

• USEPA definition: Ultra-fine particles are <100nm
• UFPs occur in massive numbers in urban air but essentially have no measurable mass
• Most common source in urban environment is vehicle exhaust

Ultra-Fine Particles (UFP) and Mass Measurements

• Traditional mass based measurements like PM10 and PM2.5 do not represent UFPs
• Number of coarse (PM10) particles <1000x lower than UFPs, yet make up ~99% of mass
• It takes a million UFPs (100nm) to equal the mass of one 10micron particle.

Why Monitor Ultra-Fine Particles?

• Potential Health Effects: There is currently no definitive answer as to whether UFP are associated with negative health effects, but it an active area of interest worldwide.
• Increased Exposure to Ultra-fines: Mounting evidence indicates that UFP exposure is higher than originally surmised. Recent studies show exposure near roadways, airports, tunnels and schools to be quite high.
• Air Quality/Visibility Effects: Ultrafine particles from combustion sources are frequently hygroscopic. At high relative humidity condensing water enlarges them to a size that is efficient at scattering light and interfere with visibility, so they significantly contribute to haze and smog.

View the recent Global Aerosol Education's webinar, "Ultrafine Particle Monitoring" for more information.

For more information on related topics, attend a webinar hosted by Global Aerosol Education or attend one of TSI's seminars.