In addition to the monitoring of gases in our air, the monitoring division is interested in the particulate matter it contains. These suspended particles are monitored continuously and tested for both quantity and composition.
Particulates are mixtures of solid and liquid droplets of material that vary in size and origin.
Particulates of this size are referred to as PM-10 particles. PM-10 particles in urban environments are often composed of soot, acid condensates, and sulfate and nitrate particles. The presence of PM-10 particles is monitored by a network of devices called samplers. 24 hours straight, but only run every three or six days, depending on the timer settings. As the sampler runs, air is drawn at a precisely-controlled flow rate.