Particulate matter measurement

In 1987, health- and welfare-based standards for particulate matter (measured as PM , particles 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller) were established. A 10 micrometer (micron) particle is quite small about 100 PM,o particles will fit across the one millimeter diameter of a typical ballpoint pen. For PM particles, an annual standard was set at 50 micrograms per cubic meter (50 jJlg/m ) and a 24-hour standard was set at 150 M-g/ni . 

Air pollution control agencies in the Los Angeles area have accumulated 22 years of consecutive hourly samples of "particulate matter measured in Km units." It was shown that the historical Km data should be proportional to elemental carbon concentrations present, and the Km samplers were calibrated to read elemental... 

The high-volume sampler has become the most widely used tool for monitoring particulate matter air pollution. It is a low-cost, portable, easily maintained, and reasonably precise sampling device. Improvements in sampler performance have resulted from incorporation of automatic timers, flowrate recorders, and size separation devices into the basic system. Although hi-vols are the accepted standard in particulate matter monitoring, they inherently lack the ability to provide realtime particulate matter measurements. 

Ingebrethsen, B.J., D.L. Heavner, A.L. Angel, J.M. Conner, T.J. Steichen, and C.R. Green A comparative study of environmental tobacco smoke particulate matter measurements in an environmental chamber J. Air Pollut. Cont. Assoc. 38 (1988) 413 17. 

Evidence has grown over the last decade, that urban airborne particles at ambient concentration levels common in many cities in Europe, America and Asia exert adverse effects on human health. Short- or long-term exposure to particulate matter (measured as PMio or PM2.5) is associated with an increase risk of cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality. Collectively the toxicological and epidemiological studies provide sufficient evidence that a causal relationship is likely to exist between exposure to ambient concentrations of PMjo or PM2.5 and specific human morbidity (exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, asthma or coronary heart disease) and premature deaths. 

Suspended particulate matter Measured in terms of the number of particles per unit volume of air, their surface area, or their volume. When the density of the particles is known, volume can be converted to mass, and vice versa (see Fig. 1 and Table IV). Chemical and physical processes in the atmosphere cause fine particles to grow by condensation and coagulation mechanisms to become coarse particles, which leave the atmosphere by sedimentation, rainout, and washout. 

B. W. Loo, J. M. JaMevic, and F. S. Goulding, "Dichotomous Virtual Impactors for Large Scale Monitoring of Airborne Particulate Matter," in B. Y. H. Liu, ed., Eine Particles, Aerosol Generation, Measurement, Sampling and Analysis, Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1976, pp. 311—350. 

Phthalates in Air. Atmospheric levels of phthalates in general are very low. They vary, for DEHP, from nondetectable to 132 ng/m (50). The latter value, measured in 1977, is the concentration found in an urban area adsorbed on airborne particulate matter and hence the biological avaUabUity is uncertain. More recent measurements (52) in both industrial and remote areas of Sweden showed DEHP concentrations varying from 0.3 to 77 ng/m with a median value of 2 ng/m. ... 

Direct Mass Measurement One type of densitometer measures the natural vibration frequency and relates the amplitude to changes in density. The density sensor is a U-shaped tube held stationaiy at its node points and allowed to vibrate at its natural frequency. At the curved end of the U is an electrochemical device that periodically strikes the tube. At the other end of the U, the fluid is continuously passed through the tube. Between strikes, the tube vibrates at its natural frequency. The frequency changes directly in proportion to changes in density. A pickup device at the cui ved end of the U measures the frequency and electronically determines the fluid density. This technique is usefiil because it is not affec ted by the optical properties of the fluid. However, particulate matter in the process fluid can affect the accuracy. 

As the gas stream proceeds through the sampling apparatus, the particulate matter is trapped on a filter, the moisture is removed, and the volume of the sample is measured. Upon completion of samphng, the collec ted material is recovered and sent to a laboratory for a gravimetric determination or analysis. 

Method 25 applies to the measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOC) as nonmethane organics (TGNMO), reported as carbon. Organic particulate matter will interfere with the analysis, and, therefore, in some cases, an in-stack particulate filter will be required. The method requires an emission sample to be withdrawn at a con-... 

Because a filter sample includes particles both larger and smaller than those retained in the human respiratory system (see Chapter 7, Section III), other types of samplers are used which allow measurement of the size ranges of particles retained in the respiratory system. Some of these are called dichotomous samplers because they allow separate measurement of the respirable and nonrespirable fractions of the total. Size-selective samplers rely on impactors, miniature cyclones, and other means. The United States has selected the size fraction below an aerodynamic diameter of 10 /xm (PMiq) for compliance with the air quality standard for airborne particulate matter. 

Static sampling systems are defined as those that do not have an active air-moving component, such as the pump, to pull a sample to the collection medium. This type of sampling system has been used for over 100 years. Examples include the lead peroxide candle used to detect the presence of SO2 in the atmosphere and the dust-fall bucket and trays or slides coated with a viscous material used to detect particulate matter. This type of system suffers from inability to quantify the amount of pollutant present over a short period of time, i.e., less than 1 week. The potentially desirable characteristics of a static sampling system have led to further developments in this type of technology to provide quantitative information on pollutant concentrations over a fked period of time. Static sampling systems have been developed for use in the occupational environment and are also used to measure the exposure levels in the general community, e.g., radon gas in residences. 

The three major characteristics of particulate pollutants in the ambient atmosphere are total mass concentration, size distribution, and chemical composition. In the United States, the PM q concentration, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 /nm, is the quantity measured for an air quality standard to protect human health from effects caused by inhalation of suspended particulate matter. As shown in Chapter 7, the size distribution of particulate pollutants is very important in understanding... 

Using the Code of Federal Regulations, list the current reference methods for measuring NO2, O3, SO2, CO, total suspended particulate matter, and lead. 

For sources having a large component of emissions from low-level sources, the simple Gifford-Hanna model given previously as Eq. (20-19), X = Cqju, works well, especially for long-term concentrations, such as annual ones. Using the derived coefficients of 225 for particulate matter and 50 for SO2, an analysis of residuals (measured minus estimated) of the dependent data sets (those used to determine the values of the coefficient C) of 29 cities for particulate matter and 20 cities for SOj and an independent data set of 15 cities for particulate matter is summarized in Table 20-1. For the dependent data sets, overestimates result. The standard deviations of the residuals and the mean absolute errors are about equal for particulates and sulfur dioxide. For the independent data set the mean residual shows... 

EPA is required to issue guidance on reasonably available control measures (RACM) and best available control measures (BACM) for other sources of particulate matter emissions. 

Airborne particulate matter, which includes dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets emitted into the air, is small enough to be suspended in the atmosphere. Airborne particulate matter may be a complex mixture of organic and inorganic substances. They can be characterized by their physical attributes, which influence their transport and deposition, and their chemical composition, which influences their effect on health. The physical attributes of airborne particulates include mass concentration and size distribution. Ambient levels of mass concentration are measured in micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m ) size attributes are usually measured in aerodynamic diameter. Particulate matter (PM) exceeding 2.5 microns (/i) in aerodynamic diameter is generally defined as coarse particles, while particles smaller than 2.5 mm (PMj,) are called fine particles. 

Airborne particulate matter emissions can, to a great extent, be minimized by pollution prevention and emission control measures. Prevention is frequently more cost-effective than control and, therefore, should be emphasized. Special attention should be given to pollution abatement measures in areas where taxies and buses associated with particulate emissions may pose a significant environmental risk. 

Measures such as improved process design, operation, maintenance, housekeeping, and other management practices can reduce emissions. By improving combustion efficiency, the amount of products of incomplete combustion (PlCs), a component of particulate matter, can be significantly reduced. Proper fuel-firing practices and... 

A pesticide formulation plant should prepare and implement an emergency preparedness and response plan that takes into account neighboring land uses and the potential consequences of an emergency or accidental release of harmful substances. Measures to avoid the release of harmful substances should be incorporated in the design, operation, maintenance, and management of the plant. Pollution control equipment employed in this sector include baghouses for removal of particulate matter and carbon adsorption for removal of VOCs. 

Baghouses are preferred over venturi scrubbers for controlling particulate matter emissions from loading and pushing operations because of the higher removal efficiencies. ESPs are effective for final tar removal from coke oven gas. Stack air emissions should be monitored continuously for particulate matter. Alternatively, opacity measurements of stack gases can suffice. Fugitive emissions should be monitored annually for VOCs. 

Particle Sampler an instrument to measure particulate matter in ambient air. Particulate Matter dust, soot, other tiny bits of solid materials that are released into and move around in the air. See also fine particle, PM,o. 

Filter life Measure of the duration of a filter s useful service. This is based on the amount of standard contaminant required to cause differential pressure to increase to an unacceptable level-typically 2-4 times the initial differential pressure, a 50-80% drop in initial flow, or a downstream measure of unacceptable particulate. Filter media A porous material for separating suspended particulate matter from fluid. 

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