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An inexpensive particle monitor for smoker behaviour modification in homes
  1. Sean Semple1,2,
  2. Andrew Apsley1,
  3. Laura MacCalman2
  1. 1Scottish Centre for Indoor Air, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
  2. 2Scottish Centre for Indoor Air, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Sean Semple, Scottish Centre for Indoor Air, University of Aberdeen, Room 29.04a, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; sean.semple{at}abdn.ac.uk

Abstract

Objective To compare the response of a new particle counting instrument (Dylos DC1700) with that produced by a device (TSI Sidepak Personal Aerosol Monitor AM510) commonly used to measure PM2.5 in settings where secondhand smoke (SHS) is encountered.

Methods Controlled chamber experiments with different SHS concentrations were generated by burning a cigarette for varying time periods and running both devices simultaneously.

Results The Dylos and Sidepak devices produced similar responses to changes in SHS concentrations up to 1000 μg/m3. Using 591 min of contemporaneous measurements from 13 chamber experiments, an equation was developed to allow conversion of particle number concentration data from the Dylos to estimated mass concentration data for SHS aerosol.

Conclusions The Dylos DC1700 can provide real-time data that may be converted to an estimate of SHS levels in smoky environments. Given the low cost, low noise and simplicity of use, this device is likely to be a useful tool for interventions to provide feedback of SHS concentrations to help motivate changes in smoking behaviour at home.

  • Advocacy
  • Secondhand smoke
  • Surveillance and monitoring

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