An apparatus for collection and detection of airborne particles includes an optical imaging system having an exposure time, a particle inspection zone, and a flexible substrate with an adhesive coating. The flexible substrate passes through the particle inspection zone. The flexible substrate alternates between an advancing state of moving through the particle inspection zone and an imaging state of not moving through the particle inspection zone. In the imaging state the flexible substrate is so tensioned so that a portion of the flexible substrate in the particle inspection zone moves at most a small distance during the exposure time.