Abstract
An optical particle counter which can detect submicron particulates in the range of 0.1-10μm individually is applied to the measurement of atmospheric suspended particles. The purposes of this measurement are to determine the particle size distribution of the suspended particle in the atmosphere and to examine correlation between the particle number concentration and the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content in the atmosphere.
We measured concentration of exhaust dusts from automobiles, of dusts in high-way tunnels, and of suspended particles in a large city (in a field experiment). At the same time, PAH was collected by using an Anderson and an ordinary high volume air sampler.
As a result, at a high confidence level above 0.95 we found a close correlation between the particle concentration and the PAH content in the atmosphere. It is clarified that this optical counter can be available for in situ measurement of the environmental pollution by miscellaneous particulates.
Finally, we believe that this instrument can be applied to the monitoring of PAH in cities, where the primary pollution comes from the automobile exhaust.
