Diesel Particulate Monitors: Rent or Buy
Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is the complex mixture of particles, gases, and vapors emitted from diesel-powered engines. It consists of a carbon soot core adsorbed with hundreds of chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), aldehydes, and metals.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
Monitors to Rent for Diesel Particulate Matter
Each of these monitors is worn by the worker and records that worker's own exposure. Compare every option in the table below.
Top pick
COMPARE OPTIONS
Diesel Particulate Matter monitors side by side
| Instrument | Monitoring | PM sizes | How sizes are read | Range | Exposure averages | Battery run time | Intrinsically safe | Data logging | Starting at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real-time Aerosol Monitors Read particulate mass concentration live (mg/m³), so you can see exposure as it happens. | |||||||||
| SidePak AM520 by TSI | Personal | PM1, PM2.5, PM4 (Respirable), PM5, PM10, DPM 0.8 µm | One at a time | 0.001-100 mg/m³ | TWA | Approximately 20 hours runtime | No | Yes | $115.00 / day |
| SidePak AM520i by TSI | Personal | DPM 0.8 µm (fixed impactor) | One at a time | 0.001-100 mg/m³ | TWA | Approximately 20 hours based on the base AM520 specification | Yes | Yes | $125.00 / day |
Air sampling pumps: sampling media required
These pumps don't give a reading on site. They draw a measured volume of air through sampling media, such as a filter cassette, cyclone or sorbent tube (sold separately), which is then sent to a lab for analysis.
| Instrument | Monitoring | Flow range | Battery run time | Intrinsically safe | Data logging | Starting at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GilAir Plus by Sensidyne GilianTop pick | Personal | Constant flow: 20–5,000 cc/min; Constant pressure: 1–5,000 cc/min | 10+ hours at 5 LPM | Yes | Yes | $45.00 / day |
| AirChek TOUCH by SKC | Personal | 5–500 ml/min (low-flow, requires low flow adapter); 1,000–5,000 ml/min constant flow | 20 hrs at 2000 ml/min | Yes | No | $45.00 / day |
Mass monitors report concentration (mg/m³ or µg/m³). Particle counters report the number of particles in each size channel, so their ranges are not directly comparable with a mass monitor's. Run times are manufacturer estimates and vary with configuration and conditions. Not sure? Talk to our team.
WHERE EXPOSURE OCCURS
Risks: Where Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure Occurs
Diesel particulate matter (DPM) monitoring is important anywhere diesel equipment operates in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas, especially underground construction and mining environments. Rent air sampling pumps and DPM sampling media from RAECO Rents to support exposure assessments for maintenance shops, warehouses, and underground work where diesel exhaust is a concern. Before rentals, we verify air sampling pump flow rate consistency to help support reliable sampling in the field. Our team can help confirm the right sampling method, flow rate, and setup for your protocol, with fast turnaround and phone support so you can collect defensible samples and document results.
Underground mining
Diesel equipment operating in enclosed headings.
Typical setup: Personal sampling pumps with lab media, or a personal aerosol monitor with a DPM impactor.
Warehouses & loading docks
Diesel trucks and equipment running indoors.
Typical setup: Personal sampling pumps for full-shift samples.
Tunneling & enclosed construction
Diesel equipment in tunnels and enclosed work areas.
Typical setup: A personal aerosol monitor with a DPM impactor for real-time readings.
Bus garages & rail yards
Idling diesel engines in maintenance and storage buildings.
Typical setup: Personal sampling pumps for workers in the building.
Diesel Particulate Matter monitoring questions
All rental FAQs →Not sure which diesel particulate matter monitors fit your job?
Tell us where the hazard is and how many workers need coverage. We'll recommend the instrument, range and alarm settings.
For educational purposes only. Exposure limits are summarized from the cited agencies; confirm monitoring requirements for your site with a qualified safety professional.