ABSTRACT

The faculty at the Center for Agricultural Air Quality Engineering and Science over the past few decades developed a method of accurately determining particulate matter concentrations from industries that emit air pollution. The CCM method of characterizing the size distribution of aerosols has shown that the EPA approved PM10 and PM2.5 samplers over sample agricultural dusts. New methods of determining particulate matter size distributions are continuously sought out for possible use. This study compares two new methods - A and B - to the CCM method.

All three methods have distinct advantages and disadvantages for use in agricultural settings. Method A's disadvantages were found to outweigh its advantages and therefore will not be investigated further. Method B shows promise as an instrument for use in agricultural applications. However, differences between the sizes reported compared to the CCM for two separate dusts indicate that more testing should be performed on Method B with a different distribution system.