Particulate Sampler Selection Guide
Use this convenient guide to help you select sampling devices (impactors, samplers, cyclones, etc) to meet your applications.
Particle Size-selective Sampling:
- Inhalable (100 μm 50% cut-point) - hazardous when deposited anywhere in the respiratory tract.
- Thoracic (10 μm 50% cut-point) - hazardous when deposited anywhere in the lung airways and the gas exchange regions.
- Respirable (3.5/4 μm 50% cut-point) - hazardous when deposited in the gas exchange regions of the lungs.
- PM2.5 and PM10 sampling according to EPA regulation determines compliance with ambient air quality standards and reveals information on particle sources and their effect on the environment and public health.
50% Cut-Point |
Particle Classification |
Flow Rate L/min |
Recommended Sampler |
Feature/Benefit |
<1.0 µm | Sub-micron | 1.7 or 2 | DPM Cyclone | Ideal for Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) and nano-particles |
0.25 µm to >2.5 µm | Ultrafine, Fine and >PM2.5 | 9 | Sioutas Cascade Impactor |
Samples coarse, fine and ultrafine particles simulatanesously |
2.5 µm | PM2.5 | 2 | PEM | Referenced in EPA IP-10A |
3 | PMI | High collection efficiency | ||
4 | PEM | Referenced in EPA IP-10A | ||
10 | IMPACT | High flow for increased sensitivity | ||
10 | PEM | Referenced in EPA IP-10A | ||
3.5 µm | Respirable | 3 | GS-1 Cyclone | Conductive plastic |
4.0 µm | Respirable | 2 | IOM* | *Respirable sampler when used with respirable foam insert. |
2 | PPI | Closest match to ISO/CEN curve | ||
2.5 | Aluminium Cyclone |
Specified in NIOSH 7500 and 0600 | ||
2.75 | GS-3 Cyclone | Conductive plastic | ||
3 | Plastic Cyclone | Conductive plastic | ||
4 and 8 | PPI | Referenced in MDHS 14/4 | ||
10 µm | Thoracic or PM10 | 2 | PPI | Closest match to ISO/CEN curve. Available in disposable and reuseable versions. |
2 | PEM | Referenced in EPA IP-10A | ||
3 | PMI | High collection efficiency | ||
4 | PEM | Referenced in EPA IP-10A | ||
10 | PEM | Referenced in EPA IP-10A | ||
10 | IMPACT | High flow for increased sensitivity | ||
100 µm | Inhalable | 0.75 | Mini Sampler | For sampling within the breathing zone, particularly behind protective face shields, such as masks and helmets |
1 | IFV Pro | Simultaneous sampling of mixed phase (aerosol and vapour) | ||
2 | IOM | Preferred method for MDHS 14/4 Meets ACGIH sampling criteria for inhalable dust |
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4 | Button | Low level Particulate Matter (PM) sampling | ||
>2.5 µm to <10 µm | PM Coarse | 3 | PMI | High collection efficiency |
10 | IMPACT | High flow for increased sensitivity |