Particulate Monitoring Service Brochure

4Particulate MonitoringParticles in the atmosphere consist ofeither solid or fine liquid droplets. Theyinclude, smoke, fumes, dust, flyash, con-densed vapours and pollen. Suspended par-ticulates in ambient air serve as a vehicle fororganic and inorganic chemical compounds.Unlike gaseous pollutants particulate matter(PM) can be a mixture of different sizes andchemical composition with varying healthimplications. It can be strongly affected bycomplex secondary interaction involving tem-perature, humidity, sunshine , gases and par-ticulate composition.Particles in the atmosphere are charac-terized according to size. (Figure 1).Particulates can be divided into four majorcategories. Settleable particulates (Dustfall),Total Suspended particulates (TSP), InhalableParticulate (PM10), Respirable Particulate(PM2.5). Larger particulates such as Dustfallare more a soiling or aesthetics problem thanhealth related. Particulate less than PM2.5 micron are relatedto health problems. Particulates less than 100 micron areusually present in the ambient air.Air monitoring networks for particulates can be used toassess health impacts for protection of human health, toobserve trends in support of abatement programs and assistin identifying potential sources.Monitoring equipment capable of separating each par-ticulate category is required to assess air quality concernsrelated to particulate. The measurement of ambient particu-late matter has taken on new significance in light of new sci-entific evidence linking particle exposure with human healtheffects.Particulate mass concentrations can be measured con-tinuously in real-time as part of an air monitoring network .Real-time particulate data can be averaged over 5, 10, 30 minand 1 hour sampling periods. The 24 hourly readings can beaveraged for a daily PM average. Various non continuous fil-tration and gravimetric samplers are used to calculate totalparticulate loading and elemental composition such as;Nickel, Iron, Copper and Chromium.A High Volume sampler is the most common particulatesampler to measure (TSP) Total Suspended Particulate. Air isdrawn through a pre-weighed filter. Air flow through the sys-tem is maintained at a constant rate by a mass flow controllerwhich automatically adjust motor speed to correct for varia-tions such as; line voltage, temperature, pressure and filterloading.Standard High Volume samplers can be modified forInhalable (PM10) and Respirable (PM2.5) measurements,with the addition of a specific (SSI) Size Selective Inlet.(Figure 2) . Filter analysis will be expressed as a total loadingin ug/m3. Laboratory elemental analysis can be preformed onthe filters. A combination of non continuous PM10 and PMFigure 1 - Particulate Size CategoriesFigure 2 - (PM10) and Respirable (PM2.5)52.5, virtual impactor samplers and severalreal-time particulate monitors provide a com-plete assessment of particulate data.Rotek Environmental Inc. provides allthe services and/or equipment to operate,maintain and repair a full line of particulatesamplers. These samplers include TSP, PM10(inhalable) and PM2.5 (Respirable), combina-tion PM10/PM2.5 dichots, cascade impactors,and real time TEOM particulate monitors.Rotek provides highly specialized servic-es such as;• install, operate, service and repair of allparticulate samplers• perform the required audit and/or cali-bration to MOE and US EPA protocols• selection of required filter medium forspecific elemental analysis• in-house repairs to High Volume motors, timers and flowcontrollers• work with client to assist in network development inassessing particulate emissionsRotek can assist with site selection and installation ofupwind / downwind samplers that work in conjunction withmeteorological sensor control mechanisms for critical windvectors (Figure 3).Filter-based techniques have been used for decades tomeasure the mass and composition of airborne particulatematter (Figure 4). However, it has long been recognized thatno single filter substrate or analytical technique can measurea wide range of particulate matter present in the atmosphere.As a result, several different filter substrates and analyticaltechniques must be used to quantify and qualify aerosol com-position at a given time and location.Air monitoring networks designed to assess particulateemissions should be made up a number of filter-based non-continuous TSP and SSI High Volume samplers. These sam-plers should work in-conjunction with real-time particulatemonitoring instrumentation.Rotek has an inventory of available real-time and non-continuous particulate samplers for the monitoring of TSP,PM10 and PM2.5. We provide full monitoring services forassessment of particulates or will rent/lease equipment toclients to meet their monitoring objectives.Figure 3 - Directional PM 2.5 MonitorsFigure 4 - PM10 and TSP Sampler