Potential for simultaneous measurement of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 for air quality monitoring purposes using a single TEOM

A simple numerical experiment demonstrates the potential for a single Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) to scan sequentially for 5 min periods across separate PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 size-selective inlets, to yield data at hourly and daily averaging periods that is little different in accuracy and precision to data from separate measurement systems. This offers the possibility of determining at any site all three particle mass measures at considerably reduced capital cost using one TEOM rather than three TEOMs. Moreover, use of a single TEOM sensor for all three data series would have the significant advantage of eliminating the bias between different instruments inevitably caused by slight differences in calibration and response. Field trials of the idea appear warranted.