European Standards EN 16976 and CEN/TS 17434

Harmonizing Sampling in Ambient Air Monitoring

In any scientific field, comparing the results of two experiments can be challenging, especially when different methods are used. Measuring ultrafine particles in the atmosphere is no exception. Various options for sampling, measurement, and data reporting can make the data feel burdensome rather than insightful.

To address this issue, the European Standards Committee (CEN) has created two standards to harmonize the sampling and measurement of atmospheric particles and the measurement data itself. These standards are EN 16976 (formerly known as CEN/TS 16976) and CEN/TS 17434:2020.

Particle Number Concentration

The European standard EN 16976 describes the use of Condensation Particle Counters (CPCs) to determine atmospheric aerosol number concentrations. It specifies performance criteria for CPCs, such as linearity, counting efficiency, and flow rate, and outlines how to test these performance aspects. Additionally, EN 16976 requires that all CPCs be calibrated according to ISO 27891:2015.

Ultrafine Particle Size Distribution

CEN/TS 17434:2020 describes how to determine the ultrafine particle size distribution (PSD) using the Mobility Particle Size Spectrometer (MPSS) method. This method covers a size range from 10 nm to 800 nm. TSI’s Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer™ (SMPS™) spectrometer fits this need and has been used for ambient air measurements worldwide for years.

Ambient Air Sampling

Delivering a representative sample of ambient atmospheric particles to these instruments is not trivial. Wind conditions, humidity, and diffusion losses make continuous collection challenging. Therefore, both EN 16976 and CEN/TS 17434 specify how particles must be sampled and conditioned before measurement. TSI’s Sampling System for Atmospheric Particles meets these requirements and can be used with a CPC, an SMPS™, or both simultaneously.

Based on decades of particle measurement experience, TSI will continue to serve the ambient monitoring community, even as regulations change and science evolves.

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ACTRIS - Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure

ACTRIS harmonizes atmospheric measurements across Europe, providing high-quality, standardized data on aerosols, clouds, and trace gases for research and policy-making.