A standardized approach to airborne particulate analysis using quantitative light microscopy

Errors in the quantitative light microscopic analysis of airborne particulate samples have been very large in the past. These errors are due to a variety of causes, only a few of which are related to instrument limitations. By standardizing the approach using techniques that lend themselves to automation, analytical errors can be brought within acceptable limits without increasing the cost for this type of analysis. This paper recommends such a standard methodology and specifies the equipment requirements and system limitations. An important advantage to the method presented here is that it can be mathematically modeled. This modeling permits the use of statistical methods based on sample population and instrument limitations to calculate the minimum error band that can be expected from this method.