&EPA
                                           EPA/600/R-15/116
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
              DYLOS DC1100
              Operating Procedure
Office of Research and Development
National Exposure Research Laboratory

-------
                          EPA/600/R-15/116 | May 2015 | www.epa.gov/ord
                  DylosDCHOO
Citizen Science  Operating  Procedure
                        Ron Williams
              National Exposure Research Laboratory
               Office of Research and Development
               U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
              Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27711

                      Amanda Kaufman
                      ORISE Participant
            Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
                   Oak Ridge, TN, USA 37831

                        Sam Garvey
                 Alion Science and Technology
                Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

-------
 CITIZEN  SCIENCE
Contents

DylosDCHOO	1
What Is PM?	1
What You Will Need	1
I mportant Considerations	2
Preparing the Device	2
  Making the Connections	2
  Installing the Software	2
  Verifying Proper Operation	5
Routine Data Collection	6
Processing Data	7
For Additional Help	10

-------

-------
                                                   CITIZEN  SCIENCE
                      Dylos DC 1100

                      The Dylos DC1100 air quality monitor measures particulate matter
                      (PM) to provide a continuous assessment of indoor air quality. The unit
                      counts particles in two size ranges: large and small. According to the
                      manufacturer, large particles have diameters between 2.5 and 10
                      micrometers (urn), where a micrometer is 171000th of a meter. Small
                      particles have diameters from 0.5 urn up to 2.5 urn. The DC1100 stores
                      up to 30 days of air quality history. This operating procedure explains
                      what you need to do to collect quality PM data using the Dylos DC1100
                      for your monitoring project.
What Is PM?

PM pollution is a mixture of particles of various sizes such as soot, smoke, dirt, and dust. Many
pollutant particles that make their way indoors are generated and released into the air from
outdoor sources such as power plants, industrial processes, and automobiles. Living near a
major roadway, for instance, can significantly increase PM exposure. Other particles are
generated within the home from activities such as cooking or burning wood in fireplaces. Small
particles also include mold and bacteria, and larger particles include pollen and dust mite
casings. PM can have both short- and long-term health effects, with the smallest particles
posing the greatest health risk. Effects of exposure to PM pollution include increased respiratory
(breathing) symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing as well as aggravated asthma
or other existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. For more information on particle
pollution, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Web site at
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/particlepollution/index.html.
What You Will  Need

       DC1100 PM sensor
       9-volt DC  (battery) adapter
       9-pin serial cable
       Dylos Logger software on accompanying compact disc (CD)
       Computer with the Windows operating system and an RS-232 serial communication port
       connection
       Microsoft  Excel Spreadsheet Software (2003 or later) or other comparable spreadsheet
       software

-------
  CITIZEN  SCIENCE
Important Considerations

   *!• The Dylos DC1100 must be connected to both AC (electrical wall outlet) power and a
      computer.
   *t* The unit requires use of the Data Logger software to record the time of data collection.
   *J* The DC1100 cannot be calibrated by the user. It is precalibrated by the manufacturer,
      and the calibration is good for 1 year from the time of purchase. The device should be
      returned to the manufacturer for calibration annually.
   *t* The Dylos has no user-serviceable parts. It must be returned to the manufacturer when
      repairs are required.
Preparing the Device

Before collecting data with the DC1100, you need to
set up the device by connecting it to a computer with
the Dylos DC1100 software running and then you can
verify its operation. The procedures in this section will
guide you through the proper setup of your device.
Making the Connections

The DC1100 does not contain a battery and therefore
must be connected to AC power using the 9-volt DC
adapter. For data collection, the Dylos DC1100 must
be connected to a computer by an RS-232 serial
connection, which has a 9-pin serial cable. Figure 1
shows these connections on the DC1100.
Power port with DC
  adapter cable
   attached
Installing the Software

While the Dylos DC1100 can operate and save its data without using the accompanying Dylos
Logger software, the time of data collection can only be recorded when using the logger
software since the software uses the computer's clock to record the time. Therefore, we
recommend you install the Dylos Logger software from the CD that comes with the sensor onto
a computer running the Windows operating system before collecting data with the DC1100. The
Dylos Logger software can also be downloaded from the Dylos Corporation's web site at
http://www.dvlosproducts.com/downloads.html. The procedures for Dylos DC1100 data
collection and retrieval assumes that you have already installed the software.

-------
                                                                    CITIZEN   SCIENCE
  Procedure:  Install  Software from  CD
1.   Insert the CD, double click
    'AutoPlay', and click 'Open
    folder to view files'.
                                                   AutoPlay
                                                                                           (H) I    S3
                                                    .  4  DVD/CD-RW Drive (D:)
                                                         DylosLogger 1.6
                                                     General options

                                                         (Open folder to view files
                                                         using Windows Explorer
                                                  View mere AutcPlav options in Control Panel
                                         Organize T    Close session   Eject

                                                          Hams
                                          ..-;" Favorites
                                           • Desktop
                                           $ Downloads
                                           •^ Recent Places
2.  Double click 'Dylosl_ogger1.6'

    (Windows Installer file type).        -*Libraries

                                          ;*• Computer
                                           £, Windows (CO
                                           O DVD/CD-RW Drive (I
                                           _ KINGSTON (E:)


                                          i- Network
                                                                                     Date modified    Type

                                                                                     1/16/2012 5:48 PM  Adobe Acrobat D,..

                                                                                     11/12/201112:05 ...  Windows installer...
3.  Click 'Next' on the installation
    wizard welcome screen to
    proceed with setup.
                                             jJJ) Dylos Logger 1.6
                                               Welcome to the Dylos Logger 1.6 Setup
                                               Wizard
                                                The installer will guide you through the steps required to install Dylos Logger 1.6 on your
                                                computer.

                                                Click "Newt" to continue.
                                                WARNING: This computer program is protected by copyright law and international treaties.
                                                Unauthorized duplication or distribution of this program, or any portion of it, may result in severe
                                                civil or criminal penalties, and will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible under the law.

-------
  CITIZEN   SCIENCE
4.   Click 'Browse', select the path
     and folder where the software
     should be  installed, and then
     click 'Next'.
5.   When the download is
     complete, click 'Next' on the
     'Confirm Installation'  screen.
                                                    jgl Dylos Logger 1.6
                                                     Select Installation Folder
                                                      The installer will in Jail D.','!o? Logger 1.6 in the following folder.
                                                      To install in this folder, click "Next". To install to a different n
                                                      below or click "Browse".
                                                                                         ;tstmg folder, enter o
                                                        Folder:   | CAProgram Rles\Dylos LoggerV


                                                      You can install fhe software on I he following drives:
Volume
SC:
Disk Sizi
70Gi
                                                    jgJ Dyios Logger 1.6
                                                     Confirm Installation
                                                      The installer is ready to install Dylos Logger 1.6 on your computer.


                                                      Click "Next" to start the installation.
6.   Click 'Close' when finished to
     exit the installation process.
                                                     Installation Complete
                                                      Dylos Logger 1.6 has been sucessfully installed.


                                                      Click "Close" to exit.

-------
                                                  CITIZEN  SCIENCE
Verifying Proper Operation

Before collecting data, make sure your DC1100 is set up and operating properly. This procedure
begins a brief period of data collection to ensure the device is working.
 Procedure: Verify Proper Operation
    1.  Press the power button to turn on the device. The startup screens shown in Figures 2
       and 3 will display for a few seconds before the sampling screen appears (Figure 4) and
       the unit begins taking measurements.
   2.  Open the Dylos Logger software by double clicking the desktop
       shortcut (Figure 5).
   3.  In the 'Port' drop-down menu shown in Figure 6, select the
       communications port connecting the device to the computer.
   4.  Select 'Continuous' in the 'Stop After' drop-down menu (Figure
       6).
   5.  Press the 'Record' button ( 9) (Figure 6) and allow the device to
       record for at least 1 minute to verify proper operation. When data
       are being recorded, a line will be updated each minute in the Data
       Display field shown in Figure 6. The unit is ready for use.
   6.  Press the Record button a second time to end the recording.

-------
  CITIZEN  SCIENCE
                                        Communications
                                         port selection
                                                  Data
                                               display field
[./. te 'A, ts |f.'. iSs ifa W 0»pl»Poio4 ll
                                                 3


1 06

I
|02-
00 -










02
00
                   Figure 6
                                                     MO/2012   »13fW

Routine  Data Collection

After verification of proper setup, initiate Dylos DC1100 data collection using the following
procedure. The DC1100 can acquire data for 30 days, but weekly data retrieval is
recommended to ensure that the device is working properly and that no data are lost.
 Procedure: Collect Data
    1.  Use the Browse button (&) to choose a path and file name where you want the data
       to be saved, as shown in Figure 7. It is recommended that the file name include the
       current date and time of collection for ease of identification. Data will be saved as a text
       file (*.txt) in the specified folder.
    2.  Press the Record button ((I) (Figure 7) to begin continuous monitoring.

    3.  Press the Record button again to stop monitoring when data collection is complete.

                                          6

-------
                                                      CITIZEN  SCIENCE
    4.  Turn off the Dylos DC1100 by pressing the power button once.

          H Dylo; loggtf
            D  J
                                      [C\U««\£EO Hom\OacuwHt\Ot*>> LogiXOyloiLogM
                                      PartctetPer •• CubcFool C Cut* Fool/ll  BfOWSG
                                                           Button
Processing Data

The Dylos DC1100 records date, time, and small and large
particle counts in particles per cubic foot (ft3) in a text file
(*.txt). In this text file (Figure 8), the values for each
measured property (e.g., date, time, etc.) are separated, or
'delimited', by commas. Most spreadsheet programs are able
to read data from a text file in a delimited format. To process
the collected data,  you will need to transfer the text file
created by the Dylos Logger software to spreadsheet
software such as Microsoft Excel. Microsoft Excel 2013 is
used in this procedure to illustrate the data transfer, but the
relative locations of import options are similar in versions of
Microsoft Excel dating back to 2003.
 Procedure: Process Data
                                                                  Figure 7
                                                             J DylosLogll-19-13.txt - Notepad  a 1 S ||»O3
                                                             File  Edit Format  View Help
Dylos Logger v 1.6.0.0
unit: DC1100
Date/Time: 10/28/13 10:35

Particles per cubic foot
Date/Time, small, Large
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10/28/13
10:35 61600,
10:36
10:37
10:38
10:39
10:40
10:41
10:42
10:43
10:44
61400,
58900,
57200,
57400,
59600,
58800,
55100,
57900,
56500,
1300
BOO
900
500
800
1000
800
500
500
500
      SUMMARY
particles per cubic foot

Number of samples : 10

small Particles
LOW
Hi
Avg
Large
LOW
Hi
Avg
55100
61600
58440.0
Particles
500
1300
760.0
    1.  Open a new Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and select
       Data > From Text ([1] > [2] in Figure 9) on the 'Get External Data' tab. The first of three
       Text Import Wizard windows will open in a pop-up box.
    2.  Under 'Original data type', select 'Delimited' [3], and then click 'Next' [4] to proceed.

-------
CITIZEN   SCIENCE
    H  *5-
      I   HOME    INSERT    PAGE LAYOUT    FORMULAS    DATA    REVIEW    VIEW    DEVELOPER

[^ From Access   [~~<^       g^_     ft,  ® Connections  ^[zTTl   ^^  T Clear      ^J^  [F Flash Fill         !-<»Consolidate


         Get External D^ta
  fffl   T*
  zl. "ion    Filter  _
Ly  -,
[@ From Web                        '""^  [§ Properties                   Ts Reap ply          |*| Remove Duplicates !l? What-If Analysis-
            From Other   Existing    Refresh                I- ^ort    Filter              Textto                                   Group Ungroup
Ln From Text    Sources -   Connections   All ~  !«*Edit Links                    V Advanced  Columns ^>Data Validation *  OQ Relationships
  Figures
                                              Text Import Wizard- Step 1 of 3
                                              The Text Wizard has determined that your data is Delimited,
                                              If this is correct, choose Next, or choose the data type that best descr bes your data.
                                                Or ginal data type
                                                Choose the file type that best describes your data:
                                                  a Delimited   - Characters such as commas or tabs separate each field,
                                                    Fixed width - Fields are aligned in columns with spaces between each field.
                                                                                                               | ^  |] S3 |
                                               Start import at row:  |l
                                                                        File origin:   437 : OEM United States
                                               O My data has headers,

                                                Preview of file E:\Sensor Data Turn In\PM\12-2\DylosLogl203.txt.
                                                2_3ylaa Logger v l.S-0-0
                                                  Init: DC1100
                                                  Dace/Time:  11/27/13 14:42
   3.   In  step  2 of the Wizard (Figure 10), check the 'Comma' box to indicate the type of
        delimiter, and then click  'Finish'.
                        Text Import Wizard - Step 2 of 3

                        This screen lets you set the delimiters your data contains. You can see how your text is affected in the
                        preview below,
                                          [H Treat consecutive delimiters as one

                                          Text ciualifier:  '               T I
                         Data preview
                          }ylQ3  Lcgger v 1.6.0,0
                          Jnit:  3C11QQ
                          5ate/Time:  11/27/13 14:42
                           Figure 10
                                                              Cancel        < Sack


-------
                                                   CITIZEN  SCIENCE
4.   In the 'Import Data' pop-up window
    (Figure 11), select 'Existing
    worksheet' and click the button on
    the right to navigate to the folder
    containing the text file specified at the
    start of data collection.
5.   Press 'OK' to display the data in
    columns in the Microsoft Excel
    spreadsheet,  as shown in Figure 12.
Import Data
EE H *3 c* • s
1 HOME INSERT PAGE LAYOUT FORMULAS 01
p, * Calibn -111 -
t— ' Eg -
P*^ B
Clipboard ^
i u , m , & ,
Font
A' A" = = = &/~
li Aligr

D20

£
A B
2 Dylos Logger v 1.6.0.0
3 Unit: DC1100
4 Date/Time: ]
0/28/13 10:35

6 Particles per cubic foot
7

C D E



3 Date/Time Small Large
9 10/28/201310:35 61600 1300
10 10/23/201310:36 61400 300
11 10/23/201310:37 58900 900
12 10/28/201310:38 57200 500
13 10/23/2013 10:39 57400 BOO
14 10/28/2013 10:40 5960C
1000
15 10/23/201310:41 5SSOO 300
16 10/23/201310:42 55100 500
17 10/28/201310:43 57900 500
18 10/23/2013 10:44 56500 500
19
21 SUMMARY
22 Particles per cubic foot
24 Number of s
25
26 Small Partial

amples : 10
ss
1 	 '


28 Low : 55100
29 Hi : 61600
30 Avg: 53440.0
31
32 Large Particles
33 	
34 Low: 500
35 Hi : 1300
36 Avg: 760.0
37






Select how you want to view this data in your workbook.
   H ® Table
   |g]   PivotTable Report
   Irj   PivotChart
        Only Create Connection
                 iut the data?
    i Existing worksheet:
    ••

   i _"' New worksheet

   Add this data to the Data Model
                                                                    OK
                                                                              Cancel
                                                              Figure 11
   <   >  ...  Dylosll-22-13

-------
  CITIZEN  SCIENCE
For Additional Help

Dylos Logger software, v. 1.6, Dylos Corporation, http://www.dylosproducts.com/downloads.
html, last accessed May 13, 2015.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Particulate Matter (PM), http://www.epa.gov/airquality/
particlepollution/index.html, last accessed May 13, 2015.
User Manual: DC1100 Air Quality Monitor, 2012., Dylos Corporation, 2900 Adams Street, C37,
Riverside, CA.
      The purpose of this document is to provide general operating guidelines, and
      the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not assume any liability
      regarding any aspect of its use. Reference herein to any specific commercial
      products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or
      otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
      recommendation, or favoring by EPA. The views and opinions of authors
      expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of EPA and shall not
      be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. EPA assumes no
      liability associated with any errors in the suggested procedures, errors
      potentially made by the instrument in question, user misuse of the instruments
      or data collected, or costs due to  any damage the instrument might experience
      under any circumstance or use. This user guide is specific to the make/model
      and version number of the instrument identified in the document and is not
      generalizable to any other sensor. The users should understand that they
      should develop operating guidelines specific to their own research needs, and
      any general document of this nature would be limited in meeting their full need.
                                         10

-------
&EPA
     United States
     Environmental Protection
     Agency
PRESORTED STANDARD
 POSTAGE & FEES PAID
        EPA
   PERMIT NO. G-35
     Office of Research and Development (8101R)
     Washington, DC 20460

     Official Business
     Penalty for Private Use
     $300
                              Recycled/Recyclable Printed on paper that contains a minimum of
                                 50% postconsumer fiber content processed chlorine free

-------