Comparison of the TSI Model 8520 and Grimm Series 1.108 Portable Aerosol Instruments Used to Monitor Particulate Matter in an Iron Foundry

Abstract

This study uses two real-time dust monitors, the TSI Model 8520 DustTrak and Grimm Series 1.108 Aerosol Spectrometer, to determine PM10 and PM2.5 levels simultaneously in an iron foundry. The SA Model 241 Dichotomous Sampler was used as a reference gravimetric method for comparing the measurement results obtained by these direct-reading instruments. The response to PM levels from DustTrak is higher than that of the Aerosol Spectrometer. The DustTrak provides an overestimation PM levels, and PM levels measured by an Aerosol Spectrometer are lower than actual concentrations. Calibration factors of the DustTrak and Aerosol Spectrometer are 0.74 and 1.33, respectively, when used to measure particulate matter at an iron foundry. Based on measurement results, the DustTrak provides a lower overestimation of PM10 levels than PM2.5 levels; that is, the response of the DustTrak increases as particle size decreases. In addition, measurement results suggest that the Aerosol Spectrometer provides precise measurements of PM10 and PM2.5, and measurement accuracy compared with the reference gravimetric method can be improved through a calibration factor.