SIZE SELECTION OF FIBERS BY CYCLONE AND HORIZONTAL ELUTRIATOR

The size selection characteristics of a horizontal elutriator and a cyclone when sampling a fibrous aerosol have been investigated using an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS). An aerosol of spherical particles was also used to validate the experiment. Methods of data treatment were assessed by comparing experimental error with that predicted by the Poisson distribution. The measurement of fibres by the APS and the size selection of fibres by the lung are discussed. It is suggested that selection by the lung would be best characterized by the aerodynamic diameter of fibres in random orientation. Using this parameter the results indicate that relative to the BMRC respirability curve; (1) the horizontal elutriator collects a slightly larger fraction when sampling straight symmetrical fibres; and (2) the cyclone selection curve approximates to the BMRC curve, but is somewhat steeper. © 1990.