Air Pollution Monitoring: Envirotech Instruments Pvt. LTD
Air Pollution Monitoring: Envirotech Instruments Pvt. LTD
Air Pollution Monitoring: Envirotech Instruments Pvt. LTD
Rakesh Agarwal
Envirotech Instruments Pvt. Ltd.
[email protected]
Definitions of PM10 & PM2.5
• Inhalable particles enter the
respiratory tract.
• Thoracic particles travel past
the larynx & reach the gas
exchange region of the lungs.
• PM10 Particle size distribution
closely resembles the thoracic
distribution with a D50 at
10m.
• PM2.5 size distribution with
D50 at 2.5m AD
It is important to note that particle sizes referred above are NOT physical particle
sizes but Aerodynamic Diameters.
• Aerodynamic Diameter is defined as the diameter of a spherical particle
with a settling velocity equal to that of the particle in question, but with a density
of 1g/cm3.
PM10
Standard Annual 60 g/m3
24 Hr. 100 g/m3
BIS 5182(Part-23):2006
Cyclonic Separation of Coarse Fraction
Flow rate 1m3/min
Flow Control with Auto Shut off if flow rate drops below
0.85m3/min.
Gravimetric determination done by finding out mass of
PM10 dust accumulated on filter paper and dividing it by
volume of air passed in sampling period.
So far no BIS method available for Impactor based low
flow rate Instruments
PM10
Trace Metals can be analyzed from the 8x10 GF/A Filter:
Lead
Arsenic
Nickel
In new standard sampling flow rate has not been specified
thus sampling can be done at high flow rate (1.0 m3/min)
or at low flow rate 1.0 m3/hr.
LOWER Flow rate instrument implies need for more
accurate Balance.
PM2.5
Standard Annual 40 g/m3
24 Hr. 60 g/m3
Concern for PM2.5 originated in 1994 – 95 as a consequence of
Scientific studies sponsored by USEPA that correlated health
impact with Air Pollution.
There is no standard method prescribed so far by BIS or CPCB.
USEPA standardized and published a design of PM2.5 Impactor at
a flow rate of 1m3/hr. Most instruments are based on this design.
Since dust sample is collected at low flow rate a sensitive balance
accurate up to 1g may be needed to weigh collected dust.
Special effort needed to get reliable PM2.5 values:
Filter Handling & Conditioning
Weighment
Static Charge
Volatility of PM2.5
Monitoring Particulates in Ambient Air
- Procedure & Precautions
• Preparation
– Inspect the filter for pinholes, particles and
imperfections. Assign filter identification numbers.
– Establish a system of filter batch numbers & look-
out for fakes.
– Equilibrate each filter for at least 24 hrs. in a
controlled environment having:
• Temperature 15 - 30 degrees C
• Humidity 20-45%
– Weigh each filter & record the initial weight. For
HVS / RDS balance with 0.1mg accuracy is
required.
Monitoring Particulates in Ambient Air
- Procedure & Precautions
• Operation
– Install pre-weighed filter, set the timer, record Time-
totalizer reading and turn ON the sampler flow.
– Allow it to establish normal running temperature and
record flow rate.
– If sampling rate is outside acceptable limits check for
leaks, filter displacement etc.
– Record sample information - site location, Sample date,
Filter ID No.
– On completion of sampling period record flow rate and
time-totalizer reading.
– Carefully remove the filter - touch only outer edges, and
store in an appropriate carrier.
Monitoring Particulates in Ambient Air
- Procedure & Precautions
• Post Operation
– Work out the average flow rate.
– Record any factors such as meteorological
conditions, construction activity, dust storm etc. that
might affect your results.
– Transport the filter to the equilibrating environment
as soon as possible.
– Equilibrate the filter under the same conditions for at
least 24 hours.
– Immediately after equilibration weigh and record the
post sampling filter weight along with filter ID No.
Monitoring Fine Particulates (PM2.5)
in Ambient Air
• Precautions
– Minimize exposure of the filters to open air. Keep
them covered in the filter carriers provided.
– The membrane is fragile take care to handle the
filter only on its edge using blunt tweezers.
– Weigh the filters on a micro-balance with a
resolution of at least 0.01mg.
– Re-weigh the filters a few times to confirm
repeatability of the weight. Reject the readings if
they vary by more than 0.1mg.
– EPA recommends that a Blank Filter be processed
to keep track of drifts and artifacts.
Heavy Metals (Pb, As &Ni)
• Extract contents of Filter Paper.
• Use EPM 2000 Filter to avoid Matrix effects.
• Analyze Extract with AAS
• Only High Volume Samplers can provide
sufficient sample for Analysis
Extraction of Filters for Heavy
Metal Analysis
– Take a strip of exposed filter as 2.5 x 17.5cm for urban sample 5.0 x
17.5cm for rural sample
– This strip need to be ashed in low temperature asher (If not available
leave the filter in oven at 250oC for 1hr at least
– Take 125ML Erlenmeyer flask with 24/40 female Joint . Put 8mL
concentrated HCL and 32ML 40% HNO3. Attach this flask to extraction
tube and connect a Allihn condensor and reflux it for 3hrs
– Extracted liquid is evaporated on hot plate till volume is reduced to 2ML
– Leave the contents overnight for cooling .
– Now transfer the contents to 15ML centrifuge (2000 rpm) tube with 3
washing by 5-10 drops by 1:20HCI for 30 minutes
– Transfer supernant liquid in the polypropylene tube with cap and send to
AAS for analysis.
– Dilution of this sample may be done using 1:10 HCI as per
requirements.
– For analysis of Arsenic, Hydride Converter is required with AAS fitted
with Graphite Furnace..
Benzo(a)pyrene
Applicable standard 1 ng/m3
24 Hour 80 g/m3
BIS 5182 (part 6) 2006
• Absorbing Reagent: Solution of Sodium
Hydroxide & Sodium Arsenite.
• Analysis: The absorbed NO2 is determined by
reacting the nitrite ion with Sulphanilamide in the
presence of Phosphoric acid and “coupling” it
with NEDA. Intensity of colour is measured at
540 nm against blank using Spectrophotometer.
• Range: 6 to 750 g/m3
Nitrogen Dioxide(NO2)
BIS 5182 (part 6) 2006
• Analysis Range: 0.04 to 2.0ug/ml of soln.
• Absorption Efficiency: 82%
• Interferences:
– Small interference from NO and CO2
– SO2 – eliminated by converting to Sulphate by adding
Hydrogen Peroxide during analysis.
Ozone (O3)
Standard Annual 100 g/m3
1 Hr. 180 g/m3
Ambient Air is drawn through a midjet impinger containing
20ml 1% Potassium Iodide prepared in a neutral (pH 6.8)
buffer composed of Na2HPO4 and KH2 PO4.
The iodine liberated in the absorbing solution is determined
Spectrophotometrically by measuring the tri-iodide ion at
352nm.
Analysis must be completed within 30 min to 1hr
after sampling.
Interferences of other oxidants (SO2 & NO2 ) must be
removed before sampling
Ammonia (NH3)
Applicable standard 100 - 400 g/m3