Particle Deposition Testing

Purpose & when to use

Particle deposition testing measures how much aerosol lands on a surface and where it collects. We use coupon-based collection with gravimetric mass measurement or HPLC / GC tracer quantitation, then map spatial patterns with imaging software. Results include deposited mass per area (mg/m²). ISO 17025 quality-system records support traceability and method control. Use this service when delivered mass-per-area, overspray, or coverage uniformity drives your decision:

Nozzle, pump, or sprayer comparison using protocol-defined surface deposition mapping, with outputs supporting disinfectant development and consumer-aerosol product claims under EPA registration programs where applicable.
Deposition quantification on coupons or anatomical models for antimicrobial spray products — HPLC / GC tracer methods link deposited mass to EPA efficacy endpoints.
Overspray and drift characterization for fogging systems — spatial maps and deposited-mass data inform containment and mitigation under EPA and OSHA guidance.
Coverage uniformity assessment on complex or shaped targets, using imaging heat maps and location-specific coupon data for design comparisons, with EPA study requirements reviewed where applicable.

Deposition data help guide disinfectant programs, overspray mitigation, and fixture optimization when deposited mass-per-area or spatial coverage determines the decision. They are also useful where surface loading ties directly to a performance or safety claim.

Built for disinfectant, consumer, and occupational aerosol applications

Particle deposition testing spans device and product categories where surface loading and spatial coverage drive the regulatory or commercial decision — from disinfectant sprayers to room fogging systems and consumer aerosol products.

Spray disinfectantPump and trigger sprayers
Fogging systemRoom-applied aerosol foggers
Consumer aerosolPressurized spray products
Room air deviceWhole-room aerosol sources

Instrumentation & measurement ranges

We select the platform based on aerosol type, expected mass loading, and required sensitivity. Each combination is defined during study planning and documented in the report.

1 – 10000 mm²surface-area

Deposition plates and coupons

Defined-area collection targets — flat coupons, panels, or shaped substrates that provide documented surface area for mass-per-area calculations.

0.01 – 500 mgmass-gain

Analytical balance (gravimetric)

Pre- and post-exposure weighing on calibrated analytical balances — suitable for moderate-to-high mass loadings where selectivity for the active is not required.

0.001 – 100 µgtracer-mass

Tracer quantitation (HPLC / GC)

Extraction followed by HPLC or GC assay — higher sensitivity and selectivity for complex matrices where gravimetry alone cannot resolve the active from background.

0.1 – 100 %coverage-area

Imaging and heat-map software

Digital imaging and spatial-mapping software to quantify coverage fraction, center-to-edge gradients, and coefficient of variation across the collection surface.

Test method options

Method	Strengths	Tradeoff	Aligned with
Surface deposition mapping (coupon array)	Defined coupon locations, exposure conditions, and recovery controls support comparisons between spray configurations. Supports predicate comparisons and nozzle-to-nozzle benchmarking with documented controls under a defined study protocol.	Requires purpose-built fixtures and replicate controls to match your use case — setup overhead increases for complex geometries.
Tracer-based deposition quantification (HPLC / GC)	High analytical sensitivity and matrix selectivity — resolves active or tracer against background where gravimetry cannot distinguish deposited mass. Recovery-verified extraction workflow supports EPA registration and disinfectant efficacy submissions requiring traceable deposited-dose data.	Requires tracer selection, extraction optimization, and recovery verification before the campaign — adds setup time relative to gravimetry.	EPA overspray
Gravimetric deposition screening (mass balance)	Fast, low-cost screening for design iterations — no assay development needed when mass loading is sufficient for balance resolution. Directly yields deposited mass per coupon in a single weighing step — straightforward uncertainty budget with calibrated balance traceability.	Less selective than tracer chemistry — unsuitable at very low mass loadings or when the active cannot be separated from non-specific deposits.	—
Imaging-first spatial uniformity study (coverage mapping)	Rapid visualization of spatial coverage, edge effects, and hot spots — identifies non-uniform deposition before committing to full replicate studies. Imaging heat maps support design-team iteration when paired with coupon controls and a defined spatial sampling protocol.	Requires validated image-to-mass correlation before imaging can support mass claims; imaging is not a substitute for gravimetric or tracer quantitation.
Drift and overspray characterization (fit for purpose)	Directly maps spatial deposition patterns outside the target zone — data supports mitigation strategies and EPA overspray documentation. Configurable for indoor or outdoor scenarios with controlled or characterized airflow — outputs feed containment-design decisions.	Results depend on airflow, room geometry, and source placement — interpret against documented environmental conditions only, not as universal predictions.	EPA overspray

Setup configurations

We configure each deposition study around the aerosol source, target surface, and regulatory context. Collection needs to be controlled, while the setup also needs to reflect the device geometry and use case. This includes defined coupon area, replicated exposure events, and documented environmental conditions for traceability. The dimensions below are set during study planning:

Fixtures and targets

Flat coupons, panels, deposition plates, or anatomical models — geometry and surface material selected to replicate target surfaces from the intended use condition.

Environmental controls

Airflow velocity, relative humidity, temperature, and source placement controlled or characterized per the study plan — documented for each exposure event.

Exposure profile

Continuous or pulsed aerosolization, single or repeated exposure events, and defined application duration — matched to the intended use condition and study objective.

Sample numbers

Duplicate or triplicate coupons per location and condition — replicate plan sized to expected variability across surface area and plume dynamics.

Chain of custody

Documented labeling, storage, and tracking for all coupons and extracts from exposure through analysis and reporting.

Key data outputs & reporting

Each particle deposition study reports deposited mass per area, spatial coverage, and the underlying replicate statistics. Primary metrics, QA / QC controls, and uncertainty contributors are formatted for regulatory packages, disinfectant programs, or design decisions. The deliverables below make up the standard report. Extended studies that link deposition to antimicrobial endpoints or predicate comparisons include additional report materials.

Primary outputs

Deposited mass per area (mg/m²) by condition and coupon location, with mean, SD, and CV across replicates.
Spatial heat maps and uniformity metrics — center-to-edge gradients and coefficient of variation across the collection surface.
Percent deposition to target vs. non-target zones where target geometry is defined.
Uncertainty contributors including coupon area, balance performance, extraction recovery, and assay calibration.

Deliverables

#	Format	Contents
01	PDF report	Methods, controls, replicate statistics, and uncertainty contributors.
02	CSV / XLSX datasets	Per-coupon and per-condition deposited-mass tables and statistics.
03	Annotated images	Heat-map exports and annotated spatial-coverage figures for review or submission.

Extended deliverables · multi-arm comparability · stability · predicate studies

Deposition-to-efficacy appendix — Deposited-mass data linked to antimicrobial endpoints for EPA registration or efficacy claim support.
Predicate comparison pack — Side-by-side deposition overlays and statistical comparisons for nozzle or formulation changes, with EPA study requirements reviewed where applicable.

QA / QC & data integrity

QA / QC follows the method plan, with documented controls matched to the collection chemistry, analytical assay, and decision the data will support. Verification checks run alongside exposure and are audited under our ISO 17025 quality system, with calibration records traceable from coupon receipt through the final result. Tracer-chemistry methods also include recovery and suitability checks.

Blanks (unexposed coupons) and field blanks run alongside every exposure set — confirms background and fixture contamination are within acceptance limits.

Duplicate or triplicate coupons per location and condition — quantifies between-replicate precision and identifies outlier positions.

Spike-recovery checks on extraction method — ensures tracer or active recovery is within predefined acceptance limits for HPLC / GC methods.

Calibration verification for analytical balances and analytical instruments before each campaign and between condition blocks.

Chain of custody records for all coupons and extracts from exposure through analysis and reporting.

Why ARE Labs

ARE Labs connects technical topics to practical study design, method selection, controlled aerosol work, and reportable evidence without turning technical pages into sales pages.

Reviewed byJamie Balarashti (25 yrs - cascade & inhalation methods) - Weston Schaper (7 yrs - real-time sizing & nanoparticle work)

17025Accredited testing

900+Studies Performed

17+Years in operation

300+Clients supported

Common questions

Antimicrobial, disinfectant, consumer-aerosol, and industrial spray teams often ask about method selection, sensitivity, spatial mapping, sample counts, and deliverables when planning particle deposition testing. The answers below are starting points. Most studies need at least one configuration choice specific to the application, so contact us if your aerosol source, target surface, or regulatory context differs from what is described here.

Q.What is the difference between gravimetric and tracer-based deposition measurement?

A.Gravimetry measures total mass gain on a coupon and is fast and low-cost, but non-selective. Tracer chemistry (HPLC / GC) measures a specific compound, giving higher sensitivity and selectivity in complex matrices where background mass cannot be separated from the active.

Q.Can you map deposition on complex or shaped surfaces?

A.Yes. We use shaped targets or anatomical models, with location-specific coupons and imaging software to map deposition across the full collection surface. Results describe coverage fractions, gradients, and hot spots.

Q.How many samples are needed for a deposition study?

A.It depends on variability across locations and exposure conditions. We typically recommend duplicate or triplicate coupons per position, along with blanks and recovery controls. The final plan reflects the decision you need to make and the expected coefficient of variation.

Q.What drives project timeline?

A.Key drivers are fixture complexity, the number of conditions and replicate sets, and whether HPLC / GC assay development is needed. We estimate timelines at study planning once the scope is defined.

Q.What do you deliver at the end of the study?

A.You receive a PDF report with methods, controls, replicate statistics, and uncertainty contributors, plus CSV / XLSX datasets with per-coupon deposited-mass data. The package also includes annotated heat-map images suitable for internal reviews or EPA submission packages.

Standards & guidance

The study protocol defines exposure conditions, collection geometry, analytical recovery, and deposition-rate calculations. ISO 17025 provides the laboratory quality-system context. We review EPA requirements for applicable antimicrobial or overspray programs; this context does not establish a universal surface-deposition method. The references below explain these distinct roles and the documentation associated with each study.

QA & Regulatory - Accredited

ISO 17025

Testing and calibration laboratory competence — documented methods, uncertainty, and traceabilityView standard ->QA & Regulatory - Aligned

EPA overspray

EPA disinfectant overspray guidance — deposition evidence for pesticide registration dossiersView standard ->

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