The principles of aerosol samplers and sampling

Abstract The principles of aerosol sampling involve both a) the scientific factors which govern the way in which particles are transported from the air outside the sampler to a filter or sensing region inside it, and b) recognition of particle size-selective criteria which relate the act of sampling to the reason it is being carried out (e.g., assessment of health risk associated with inhalation). This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in both these areas, and goes on to mention some recent technical developments concerning practical sampling instruments.