Air Pollution Monitoring: Envirotech Instruments Pvt. LTD

Air Pollution Monitoring
Methods of Measurement – Main Requirements
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
10m.
• PM2.5 size distribution with
D50 at 2.5m 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
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 1g 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.
• 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.
• 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
 Majority of Polcyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (long chain

and high molecular weight compounds) found adhered
with particulates. Thus filter dust can be extracted using
Soxhlet Apparatus for 6-8 hrs and extract analyzed on
HPLC for PAH compounds including Benzo(a)pyrene.
 BIS 5182 (part12) 2004 gives detailed procedure.
 Sample should be wrapped in Al-foil and stored in a
refrigerator. Exposure to light can cause photo-
oxidation.
 Usually a Sampler with High Flow rate – 1m3/min can
provide a sufficient sample for analysis.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
24 Hr. - 80 g/m3
West & Gaeke Method – BIS 5182 (2) 2001

• SO2 in ambient air is collected in a solution of
Tetrachloromercurate (TCM). SO2 reacts with TCM
where Disulfitomercurate Compelx is formed.
• The disulfito mercurate is treated with Formaldehyde
and Acid bleached Pararosaniline to give a violet colour
of Pararosaniline Methyl Sulfonic acid.
• The intensity of the colour is measured on a
spectrophotometer at 560nm wavelength against blank.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
West & Gaeke Method – BIS 5182 (2) 2001
• Range: Nominally 25 to 1050ug/m3. Conc. Below 25 can
be measured by sampling larger volume of Air.
• Lower Limit of detection of SO2 in 10ml absorbing
reagent is 0.75ug.
• Interferences:
– NOx – eliminated by 1ml of 0.06% Sulphamic Acid.
– Ozone – decomposed by allowing the solution to
stand prior to analysis.
– Trace Metals – Add EDTA to absorbing reagent prior
to sampling
Nitrogen Dioxide(NO2)
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)
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
• Ammonia is collected in dilute Sulfuric Acid

solution where ammonia reacts with H2SO4 &
gives Ammonium salt. When Nessler Reagent
(K2HgI4) is added to this solution Orgeno Brown
product in colloidal form is formed which has to
be quickly determined colormetrically at 425nm
wavelength.
• Indo Phenol Blue method is also used for
measurements of NH3.
• Both methods are giving comparable results.
Carbon Monoxide(CO)
Applicable standard 2(8hr)- 4(1hr) mg/m3
 In AAQ Standard measurement method for CO has been
specified as NDIR. Thus NDIR based analyzer need to be
used for monitoring of CO.
 Analyzer need to be accurate up to 0.1 PPM. No other
method is acceptable and can give reliable satisfactory
results.
 Alternatively an Air sample collected in Tedlar bag at low
flow rates from a field station can be analyzed in lab for
CO.
 Electrochemical sensor based systems may be used for short
periods.
Benzene(C6H6)
• Benzene from ambient air is collected on

Activated Charcoal for specified period at very
low flow rates (50-100ml/min)and later adsorbed
organic compounds are Thermally Desorbed to
find out concentration of Benzene using Gas
Chromatograph fitted with capillary column.
• BIS 5182 (Part 11) 2006 gives the details.
• Ambient Benzene can only be analyzed using a
high resolution GLC coupled with ATD System.
Air Quality Monitoring
 Sampling Period:
 8 Hr. or 24 Hr as per standard. All parameters must be
monitored simultaneously.
 If the sampler has operated for 75% of the time collected
sample can be considered as valid sample.
 Monitoring must be done twice a week on non-

consecutive days of the week. Total 104 days monitoring
must be done in a year to work out annual averages.
 Values must not be reported if calculated concentrations
are less than the detection limits of the analysis method
used.
Selection of Monitoring Location
• Representative Site
• The site should be away from major pollution
sources
• The site should be away from absorbing
surfaces – such as a large water body.
• It is expected to remain a representative site
over a long time and no land use changes, re-
buildings etc. are foreseen in near future.
Physical requirements of the monitoring site
 OPEN FROM ALL SIDES.
 For traffic pollution monitoring the sample

intake should be 3 m above the street level.
• Sampling in the vicinity of unpaved roads and

streets results in entrainment of dust into the
samplers from the movement of vehicles. Locate
Sampler about 200m away from such sources.
Logistics of the monitoring site
 Easy access to the site

 Anytime – day / night
 Throughout the year.
 Site sheltering and facilities such as electricity

of sufficient rating should be available.
Ground Connection / Earthing
Voltage
 It should be vandal proof

To Ensure Data Reliability
Quality of Equipment
Maintenance & Calibration
Genuine & Good Quality Consumables
Filter Papers
Reagents
Distilled Water
Manpower Training
Sample Collection
Analysis
Equipment needed for
complying with new Standard
Respirable Dust Sampler
PM10
Metals – Lead, Arsenic, Nickel
PAH
Fine Particle Sampler – PM2.5
Gaseous Sampling Attachment or APM433
SO2
Nox
Ozone , Ammonia
Additional Equipment
Benzene
CO
Thank you…
For more info on Envirotech Products

visit www.envirotechindia.com

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Air Pollution Monitoring

Methods of Measurement – Main Requirements

 Majority of Polcyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (long chain

West & Gaeke Method – BIS 5182 (2) 2001

• Ammonia is collected in dilute Sulfuric Acid

• Benzene from ambient air is collected on

 Monitoring must be done twice a week on non-

 OPEN FROM ALL SIDES.

 For traffic pollution monitoring the sample

• Sampling in the vicinity of unpaved roads and

 Easy access to the site

 Site sheltering and facilities such as electricity

 It should be vandal proof

For more info on Envirotech Products

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