Indoor Environmental Specialists
Welcome to Environmental Diagnostics Corporation (EDC). Managing indoor environments is easier with the proper documentation from experienced professionals. Our highly commended proactive, reactive, and mold assessments, cutting edge sampling methods, and interpretative tools make EDC a leader in the industry.

Why should anyone be concerned about airborne dust?
Dust and airborne particulate matter, whether indoors or outdoors, can affect many aspects of everyday life. Epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between small sized respiratory dust and increased morbidity and mortality. Allergy and asthma are aggravated by airborne dust which can cost billions in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
Review the Filtration section for particle removal efficiency and filter information.


How should indoor airborne dust levels be evaluated? Most inhaled particulate matter is either exhaled or trapped in the upper areas of the respiratory system and eventually expelled. However, fine respirable-sized particulate matter (PM2.5) can be a health concern. A mass measurement of PM2.5 refers to the total weight of airborne particulates (size range 0.1 to 2.5 um (microns) in a specific volume of air (m3).

Dust measurements1 are obtained on every indoor air quality assessment by a portable real time particulate meter that using light scattering technology. Indoor activity such as uncontrolled renovation, inefficient vacuuming, candles, or smoking can create elevated concentrations of fine respirable particulates resulting in complications for individuals who have allergies, asthma, or cardiopulmonary disease.2 The most relevant and comparable health-based concentration guidelines for PM2.5 are from the EPA. Relative differences between indoor and outdoor levels are also reviewed.


What are nanoparticles? On diagnostic and forensic indoor air quality assessments EDC uses an ultrafine particle counter (UPC). We measure ultrafine particle concentrations in real-time and can datalog if needed. These measurements are made in units of particles per cubic centimeter (pt/cm3) versus traditional aerosol measurements of milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) made by photometers. The P-Trak can see single ultrafine particles, making it far more sensitive than other technologies.

This unique single-particle counting capability differentiates the P-Trak from all other IAQ monitoring methodologies and instrumentation. The P-Trak UPC counts ultrafine particles (smaller than 0.1 micrometer in diameter) that often accompany or signal the presence of a pollutant that is the root cause of IAQ complaints. The P-Trak UPC is a totally new approach to eliminating some IAQ problems.


What are examples of particle sizes?


1Dust measurement interpretation should ideally be conducted by weight analysis not particle counts, unless dealing with nanoparticles (ultrafines) or clean rooms. The reader is advised to be aware of details when reviewing particle weight and size information (i.e. PM2.5 is different than PM10). EDC will note where it suspects that elevated humidity is affecting particle measurements. Available size cut-points are 1.0, 2.5, and 4 microns.
2Technical detail on regulatory guideline: In 1997, the EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter were revised (40 CFR Part 50 final rule). Three standards for regulating outdoor air currently include: (1) annual average PM10 limit of 50 ug/m3 , (2) annual average PM2.5 limit of 15 ug/m3 , and (3) 24-hour PM2.5 standard of 65 ug/m3. The smaller PM size of 2.5um is in response to epidemiology evidence of a health risk. Information about the slightly larger PM10 classification is available on request.

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Environmental Diagnostics Corp. 2013