The high-volume collection andcharacterisation of airborne particles in the UK

The collection of large amounts of airborne particulate matter (PM) over short periods of time has obvious benefits for toxicological studies, allowing rapid supply of enough fresh material for assays and particle characterisation. A high-volume air particle collector (originally developed by Harvard University), operating at 1100 l/min, is currently being used to collect PM10 and PM2.5 separately in specific locations throughout the UK, chosen according to their air pollution range. To date (2002), airborne samples have been collected in London, Birmingham, Port Talbot and Cardiff. Future locations also include Belfast and south Cornwall.