What do the impactor cut-points represent?
Depending on the environment and the industrial processes (such as sanding, cutting, crushing, grinding, and transportation), the type and size of the particulates will impact the human body in different areas, affecting the nasal, throat, and/or lung area. The impactor cut-points represent the particle size you will be sampling. Inhalable dust is 100 microns and smaller. This dust is usually filtered through the hairs and membranes in your sinuses. 10 microns and smaller is thoracic, and dust in the 4 – 10 micron size can get caught in you windpipe and other regions. 4 microns and smaller is respirable and this is what causes concerns and the need for PM4.
