Difference between low-volume and high-volume Andersen samplers in measuring atmospheric aerosols

The mass concentration and size distribution of aerosols in Tokaimura were investigated using a high-volume and a low-volume Andersen sampler. A difference was found using the two samplers: the concentration of total aerosols determined with the high-volume sampler is smaller than that of the low-volume sampler by 70–90% throughout the year. Compared to the high-volume sampler, low-volume sampler gave lower concentration for aerosols >7 μm, higher concentration for aerosols of 3.3–7.0 μm and <1.1 μm, though similar results for aerosols of 1.1–3.3 μm. The low-volume sampler was found to have better separation efficiency and higher accuracy.