Using scanning electron microscopy for statistical characterization of the diameter and shape of airborne particles at an urban location

Particles in the air are characterized not only by their effective diameters but by their shapes as well. In this study electron microscopy was used to provide detailed information about individual particles, including diameter and shape. Following image analysis, statistical methods were used to describe diameter and shape distribution. From using this technique for repeated measuring at a particular location an interesting finding was made: the diameter and shape factor distributions had a constant nature. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.