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Measuring Air Pollutants |
William Chiang, a former Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer, founded California
Measurements, Inc., and obtained a NASA license for the multiple crystal oscillator
technology. The technology, which was used as real time particle mass sensors in the
company's PC-2H 10 Stage Air Particle Analyzer, can determine the size and quantity of
aerosols in the atmosphere at a particular time. Aerosols are tiny particles in the air,
which can be inhaled. They are deposited into the atmosphere through natural events like
volcanic eruptions, and everyday human activities. Aerosols can also be generated during
surgery and may be a source of disease transmission in hospital operating rooms. Dr. Don
Jewett, Head of the Special Studies Unit, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical Center
of the University of California at San Francisco initiated a research project to help
understand the formation and character of aerosol particles in the medical environment.
Using a California Measurement PC-2H 10 stage Aerosol Particle Analyzer, the research
project's conclusions, widely disseminated through technical forums, were that a
significant amount of blood aerosols were generated during surgery where power tools were
employed. Dr. Robert Miller, a dentist and aero-biologist, also used the California
Measurement PC-2H 10 stage Aerosol Particle Analyzer in research to determine the presence
of blood aerosols generated during oral surgery and other dental procedures involving
power tools. Researchers who need in-depth information on the particle size and mass
concentration of the fine particles in the ambient air outdoors also use the instrument to
get data in real time and on site.
Crystal oscillator technology was originally built for atmospheric and air pollution
research, and has been used to analyze the smoke plumes of launch vehicles, effluents from
solid rocket boosters, and is used routinely to study the effects of atmospheric aerosols
on climate, such as volcanic eruptions.
In an operating room, the California Measurements Inc., crystal oscillator technology
enabled researchers from the University of California to obtain accurate data regarding
aerosols generated during surgery when power tools are used. These aerosols are small
enough to pass through surgical masks. Other applications include testing for particle
concentrations from smoking, aerosol cans for cosmetic companies, smoke particles from
fires, air pollution studies and environmental health research. It is also useful in
testing the efficiency of various air filters and cleaners.
