title: An inexpensive light-scattering particle monitor: field validation.
abstract: We have developed a small, light, passive, inexpensive, datalogging particle monitor called the "UCB" (University of California Berkeley particle monitor). Following previously published laboratory assessments, we present here results of tests of its performance in field settings at high particle concentrations. We demonstrate the mass sensitivity of the UCB in relation to gravimetric filter-based PM(2.5) mass estimates as well as commercial light-scattering instruments co-located in field chamber tests and in kitchens of wood-burning households. The coefficient of variation of the unadjusted UCB mass response in relation to gravimetric estimates was 15%. Although requiring adjustment for differences in sensitivity, inter-monitor performance was consistently high (r(2) > 0.99). Moreover, the UCB can consistently estimate PM(2.5) mass concentrations in wood-burning kitchens (Pearson r(2) = 0.89; N = 99), with good agreement between duplicate measures (Pearson r(2) = 0.94; N = 88). In addition, with appropriate cleaning of the sensing chamber, UCB mass sensitivity does not decrease with time when used intensively in open woodfire kitchens, demonstrating the significant potential of this monitor.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, California, USA. zohir@berkeley.edu
authors.forename: Zohir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: Rufus D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Kyra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Naumoff Shields
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Canuz
authors.forename: Kirk R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006166:Guatemala; D008027:Light; D008800:Mexico; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D052638:Particulate Matter; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene