HANDHELD PARTICLE COUNTERS

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HANDHELD PARTICLE COUNTERS

• USE AND APPLICATIONS IN
• HEALTH SAFETY
• MANUFACTURING

AVAILABLE FROM
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OPTICAL PARTICLE COUNTERS

• Kanomax OPCs from SKC are available with either 3
  or 5 channels.
• Each channel represents a size range in which
  total particle numbers are measured, stored, and
  displayed on the LCD screen.

• With optical particles counters (OPCs), the
  principle of laser light scattering is used to
  simultaneously measure particles in various size
  ranges.

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Model 3886 OPC

• The Model 3886 has 5 channels and displays total
  numbers of particles in the following sizes 0.3,
  0.5, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 µm.
• The 3886 has an internal datalogger for storage
  of 500 data points.
• Optional probes can be added for humidity,
  temperature, and air velocity.

SKC Cat. No. 745-3886
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Model 3887 OPC

• The Model 3887 is an economy model with 3
  channels. It displays total numbers of particles
  in the following sizes 0.3, 0.5, and 5.0 µm.
• The 3887 has an internal datalogger for storage
  of 8000 data points.
• The 3887 is a very compact unit weighing only 1.5
  lbs. (0.68 kg).

SKC Cat. No. 745-3887
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USE AND APPLICATIONS FOR OPCs

• CLEAN ROOM
• ASSESSMENTS
• Industrial Clean Rooms-semiconductors,
  electronics, and aerospace
• Biological Clean Rooms-pharmaceuticals, medical,
  food, and hospitals

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CLEANROOM CLASSIFICATIONS

• Classified by the number and size of particles
  permitted per volume of air.
• U.S. Federal Standard 209E from the General
  Services Administration (GSA) was used for many
  years to define cleanrooms. This standard was
  officially cancelled by the GSA in 2001, but is
  still widely used.
• ISO 14644 Cleanroom Classifications are now used
  as the international standard.

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USE AND APPLICATIONS FOR OPCs

• OPCs are useful screening devices in indoor air
  quality investigations, including mold
  remediation.

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IAQ APPLICATION MOLD

• The instrument reads in particles/ft3 or
  particles/m3 of air.
• These particle counts are used in a similar way
  to spore counts obtained from spore traps like
  the SKC VersaTrap.
• Particle counts are taken inside, outside, and in
  various zones. Data interpretation is done by
  comparing the results.

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IAQ APPLICATION MOLD

• If the particle count is high in the 2 to 10
  micron range, mold contamination is often
  present.
• The particle counter can be used like a Geiger
  counter to guide the user closer to the source of
  mold contamination.

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IAQ APPLICATION PARTICULATE MATTER

• OPCs are also useful screening tools for general
  particulate matter. Particle levels found in the
  test zone can be compared to those in a control
  zone.
• They are also used to check HEPA filter system
  efficiency and to verify the cleanliness of duct
  work.

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CONDENSATION PARTICLE COUNTERS (CPCs)

• With CPCs, particles are passed through an
  alcohol bath at an elevated temperature, cooled
  in a condenser block, and detected by a
  light-scattering device.

• This technology allows smaller size particles to
  be measured.
• A CPC can measure particles as small as 15 nm.
• They can detect particles as large as 1 µm in
  size.

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Model 3800 CPC

• The Model 3800 measures particles from 15 nm to
  1 µm over a concentration range of 0 to 100,000
  particles/m3.
• Lightweight at 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) for easy
  handling
• Programmable datalogging capabilities
• Data management software

SKC Cat. No. 745-3800
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USE AND APPLICATION NANOPARTICLES

• Nano-enabled materials are being used in nearly
  every industry to enhance product performance and
  quality.
• Nanoparticles may be released into the work
  environment during production of these materials.
  
• Nano-sized particles have at least one dimension
  between 1 and 100 nanometers (0.001-0.1 microns).
  

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MEASURING NANOPARTICLELEVELS WHY?

• Sampling for nanos may be done for
  production/quality reasons along with health and
  safety concerns.
• Nano-enabled materials are expensive, so
  manufacturers do not want these materials
  escaping from the production process into the
  work environment.

• 1. To determine if airborne releases are
  occurring.
• 2. To determine if control measures are effective
  in reducing nanoparticle exposures.

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EVALUATING NANOS NIOSH EMISSION ASSESSMENT
TECHNIQUE

• NIOSH recommends the use of
• a) Direct-reading particle counters
• b) Filter samples with lab analysis
• To obtain key particle metrics including
• Particle number
• Particle size
• Particle shape
• Degree of agglomeration
• Mass concentration of elemental constituents

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EVALUATING NANOS NIOSH EMISSION ASSESSMENT
TECHNIQUE

• What do you do with this data?
• Compare filter samples to source nanomaterial.
• Determine if there is a production problem
  causing a release.
• Determine if controls are working.
• Compare levels to existing exposure limits.
• Compare area to personal samples to evaluate work
  tasks. Normally, the task generates the exposure.
  

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EVALUATING NANOS NIOSH EMISSION ASSESSMENT
TECHNIQUE

• NIOSH field studies
• showed typical
• background levels of
• 1246 to 19,500
• particles/cm3.
• Note any unusual
• conditions in test
• environment that could
• impact the background
• levels.

• Start the investigation by measuring background
  levels of nanos at 3 to 5 locations.
• Take measurements with BOTH an OPC and a CPC.

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EVALUATING EXPOSURES THE SPECIFICS

• After establishing a reliable background level,
  use the same particle counters to measure
  emissions from the work process.
• If elevated nanoparticles are detected (gt25
  above background), collect 2 filter samples at
  the emission source.
• Analyze one filter for particle morphology using
  TEM or SEM. Analyze the other for elemental
  analysis of metals or carbon using ICP or carbon
  counter.

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CPC VS. OPC WHY 2 PARTICLE COUNTERS FOR NANOS?

• The CPC technology allows for the measurement of
  particles down to
• 15 nm.
• But, you only get one particle count with this
  instrument
• 1.0 µm is the largest particle size detected.

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CPC VS. OPC WHY 2 PARTICLE COUNTERS FOR NANOS?

• The OPC technology allows for the measurement of
  total number of particles per liter of air within
  multiple size ranges.
• It can only detect particle sizes down to 300 nm,
  but can detect larger particles (agglomerates) up
  to 5 µm.

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TIP FROM NIOSH ON PARTICLE COUNTERS

• If you do not have enough budget money to buy
  both a CPC and OPC, buy the OPC.
• This is because the nanos are agglomerated
  (clumped together) in many cases.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING PARTICLE
COUNTERS
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ARE PARTICLE COUNTERS SIMILAR TO SKC HAZ-DUST
INSTRUMENTS?

• HAZ-DUST instruments display the results as a
  mass per volume of air (mg/m3) to compare to
  occupational exposure limits.
• Particle counters display the results as number
  of particles per volume of air (particles/m3) in
  various size ranges for data comparison from zone
  to zone and to cleanroom standards.

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ARE PARTICLE COUNTERS SIMILAR TO HAZ-DUST
INSTRUMENTS?

• HAZ-DUST instruments measure concentrations using
  a light scattering device and a photocell.

• Particle counters use laser technology to count
  individual particles.

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ARE PARTICLE COUNTERS SIMILAR TO HAZ-DUST
INSTRUMENTS?

• HAZ-DUST instruments allow the addition of
  size-selective samplers like the IOM sampler and
  cyclones.
• The 3886 Optical Particle Counter, sold by SKC,
  accommodates other probes to measure relative
  humidity, temperature, and air velocity in a
  single instrument.

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ARE PARTICLE COUNTERS SIMILAR TO HAZ-DUST
INSTRUMENTS?

• Both instruments have an internal datalogger and
  optional software.

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ADVANTAGES OF THE 3886 PARTICLE COUNTER FROM SKC?

• Air velocity probe is a unique accessory.
• Constantly measures 5 sizes and displays 2 at a
  time.
• Remote control option (via hardwire) from a
  computer
• Can be a continuous monitor

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WHAT ABOUT CALIBRATION OF THE PARTICLE COUNTER?

• The unit is calibrated by the factory using
  polystyrene particles. It should be sent back to
  the factory for annual calibration.
• There is an additional charge if a calibration
  certificate is required.

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TECHNICAL TIDBITS

• The flow rate of the internal pump is 0.1 cfm.
  The user can not adjust or calibrate this flow
  rate.
• If the display reads 9.53 E5
• This means 9.53 X 105 particles/air volume
• A zero filter is placed on the inlet to zero the
  unit, similar to the HAZ-DUST instrument.

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CONTACT SKC

• FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PARTICLE
• COUNTERS AND OTHER SAMPLING
• INSTRUMENTS

www.skcinc.com