There are many different ways to go about monitoring for particulate matter air pollution. This p...
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| 21 | stevie |
February 13, 2020 16:14
| almost 5 years ago
There are many different ways to go about monitoring for particulate matter air pollution. This page will try to break down the benefits and drawbacks of each type of monitoring to help you navigate the method(s) that best suit your interest best. This page reviews types of monitoring practices, and a couple examples of monitoring tools along with each. It is not an exhaustive list, but some of the more well known or documented resources. Types of monitoring methods:
Visual Monitoring:How it’s done:The smallest particles we can see with a naked eye are visible only because they diffract light to make a haze. A visible emission is any visible airborne particle resulting from a chemical or physical process. Visible emissions often contain respirable particles, and can be measured by their effects on the opacity (or lack of transparency) of the air. Opacity is expressed as the percentage of light that is scattered or blocked by emissions, such that an observer's view through the emission is obscured. Examples of pollutants that can have opaque emissions include combustion products and dust. The EPA offers several methods for doing visual particulate matter monitoring, some requiring certifications, and some not. You can read more about Visual Monitoring and (this method here)[https://publiclab.org/wiki/visual-pm]. Basic Pros
Basic Cons
ExamplesSome methods for visual monitoring include the EPA method 9 (requiring certification) and method 22 (no certification required). Certifications can be obtained through certified companies. Trainings are sometimes referred to as “smoke school,” Opacity Certification, Opacity Training, Visible Emissions Training, or VEO Training. What does it look like?A person who is monitoring using these methods will use their eyes to observe the pollution. Observations usually take about 6 minutes and require the observer to record at 15-second intervals. Here is a write up of an activity on how you would use EPA’s Method 9 monitoring When might this be useful?Visual monitoring methods can be useful if the particulate matter pollution source you are concerned with often has a visual component you can see from nearby, for example, you often see haze or clouds of smoke coming off a smoke stack. It’s also useful because the some methods with certification (such as EPA method 9) are federally recognized and accepted methods for monitoring, where as many of the other methods for monitoring PM aren’t. Here is a write up of the utility of EPA Method 9 More information:
Filter Based MonitoringHow it’s done:Collecting particulate matter (PM) on a filter for analysis is the best understood method of measuring particle pollution. It is also the most expensive method. Filter-based PM monitors form the basis of US-based PM regulations, and filter based samplers are written directly into the US Code of Federal Regulations, however these monitors can cost between $20,000-60,000. There are other filter based monitors which are less expensive, but the degree to which their data is accepted by regulatory agencies varies from state to state. This monitoring method uses a tool which consists of three components, an impactor, a filter, and a pump. The pump draws a specific volume of air into the filter at a consistent speed, the impactor sorts particles by size so only the desired size of airborne particles are collected, and the filter collects the sorted particles. After gathering the sample, the filter is weighed to conclude the precise amount of particulate matter that came in through the air sample. Using this method with lab analysis, it is also possible to determine what types of particulate matter pollution is present in the sample - for example, if there are heavy metals present. It is important to note this method of monitoring requires lab analysis which can be expensive, and the more you want to know about the sample, the more expensive the lab testing is. Basic Pros:
Basic Cons:
Examples:
What does it look like:A person who is doing this type of monitoring will need to deploy the tool(s) in a safe location, to the specifications required. Most tools need to be field calibrated, and need their filters changed out every 24hours. Some tools have the ability to take multiple samples in a row in which case you wouldn't need to go to the tool to change out the filters as often. The filters then need to be shipped to a lab for analysis. You can read about an example of deploying a filter based tool here When might it be useful:This monitoring method might be useful if you have a good bit of money to spend on your project and you need to know about the nature of the particulate matter pollution (chemical composition). When using the FRM tools, this data can be submitted directly to the EPA and state environmental agencies. More information:
Optical MonitoringHow it’s done:Optical PM monitoring of Particulate Matter (PM) (or sensor based monitoring) is an attempt to measure the diameter of particles in flight. Optical monitors are a low-cost way to get real-time data about particles in the air. Basic Pros:
Basic Cons:
Examples:
What does it look like:With optical or sensor based PM monitoring, a sensor is often deployed in the field (or indoors), and left to collect data. Depending on how data storage and transfer is set up in the device, collecting data can look different. It can display numerical data in real time (such as the Carnegie Mellon Spec), display color data in real time (such as the simple air sensor), upload data to the internet (such as the wifi enabled Purple Air), or store data internally for download. When might it be useful:Optical Monitoring might be useful if you need to collect a lot of data and/or collect data in real time. If you’re looking for a tool that can helpful show data visually in new ways, sensor data has the most options in terms of conveying results. It’s easily shown on a map or chart, it can be made to show colors or images correlating to levels of particulate matter in the air. More information:
Passive Particle MonitoringHow it’s done:Passive particle monitoring is done by capturing particles that collect on a surface over time. There are several methods to collecting particles in this way, most of them require that a sticky tape or pad be placed outside for several days to collect particles. The data it produces is visual, what can be seen on the sample. Basic Pros:
Basic Cons:
Examples:
What does it look like:Passive particle monitoring requires that monitors be filed deployed for a specific period of time, then analysed. Some monitors can be placed on the side of buildings or other surfaces outside, others require free standing space. Visual data can then be shared on the nature of the particulate material left on the pad after it has been deployed. When might it be useful:This type of monitoring could be useful in publicly sharing visual information on the nature of particulate matter pollution. If the pollution is such that a film develops on surfaces, this type of monitoring can be helpful in documenting that, capturing the pollution itself and displaying it for others to understand. More information:
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| 20 | stevie |
February 13, 2020 16:14
| almost 5 years ago
There are many different ways to go about monitoring for particulate matter air pollution. This page will try to break down the benefits and drawbacks of each type of monitoring to help you navigate the method(s) that best suit your interest best. This page reviews types of monitoring practices, and a couple examples of monitoring tools along with each. It is not an exhaustive list, but some of the more well known or documented resources. Types of monitoring methods:
Visual Monitoring:How it’s done:The smallest particles we can see with a naked eye are visible only because they diffract light to make a haze. A visible emission is any visible airborne particle resulting from a chemical or physical process. Visible emissions often contain respirable particles, and can be measured by their effects on the opacity (or lack of transparency) of the air. Opacity is expressed as the percentage of light that is scattered or blocked by emissions, such that an observer's view through the emission is obscured. Examples of pollutants that can have opaque emissions include combustion products and dust. The EPA offers several methods for doing visual particulate matter monitoring, some requiring certifications, and some not. You can read more about Visual Monitoring and (this method here)[https://publiclab.org/wiki/visual-pm]. Basic Pros
Basic Cons
ExamplesSome methods for visual monitoring include the EPA method 9 (requiring certification) and method 22 (no certification required). Certifications can be obtained through certified companies. Trainings are sometimes referred to as “smoke school,” Opacity Certification, Opacity Training, Visible Emissions Training, or VEO Training. What does it look like?A person who is monitoring using these methods will use their eyes to observe the pollution. Observations usually take about 6 minutes and require the observer to record at 15-second intervals. Here is a write up of an activity on how you would use EPA’s Method 9 monitoring When might this be useful?Visual monitoring methods can be useful if the particulate matter pollution source you are concerned with often has a visual component you can see from nearby, for example, you often see haze or clouds of smoke coming off a smoke stack. It’s also useful because the some methods with certification (such as EPA method 9) are federally recognized and accepted methods for monitoring, where as many of the other methods for monitoring PM aren’t. Here is a write up of the utility of EPA Method 9 More information:
Filter Based MonitoringHow it’s done:Collecting particulate matter (PM) on a filter for analysis is the best understood method of measuring particle pollution. It is also the most expensive method. Filter-based PM monitors form the basis of US-based PM regulations, and filter based samplers are written directly into the US Code of Federal Regulations, however these monitors can cost between $20,000-60,000. There are other filter based monitors which are less expensive, but the degree to which their data is accepted by regulatory agencies varies from state to state. This monitoring method uses a tool which consists of three components, an impactor, a filter, and a pump. The pump draws a specific volume of air into the filter at a consistent speed, the impactor sorts particles by size so only the desired size of airborne particles are collected, and the filter collects the sorted particles. After gathering the sample, the filter is weighed to conclude the precise amount of particulate matter that came in through the air sample. Using this method with lab analysis, it is also possible to determine what types of particulate matter pollution is present in the sample - for example, if there are heavy metals present. It is important to note this method of monitoring requires lab analysis which can be expensive, and the more you want to know about the sample, the more expensive the lab testing is. Basic Pros:
Basic Cons:
Examples:
What does it look like:A person who is doing this type of monitoring will need to deploy the tool(s) in a safe location, to the specifications required. Most tools need to be field calibrated, and need their filters changed out every 24hours. Some tools have the ability to take multiple samples in a row in which case you wouldn't need to go to the tool to change out the filters as often. The filters then need to be shipped to a lab for analysis. You can read about an example of deploying a filter based tool here When might it be useful:This monitoring method might be useful if you have a good bit of money to spend on your project and you need to know about the nature of the particulate matter pollution (chemical composition). When using the FRM tools, this data can be submitted directly to the EPA and state environmental agencies. More information:
Optical MonitoringHow it’s done:Optical PM monitoring of Particulate Matter (PM) (or sensor based monitoring) is an attempt to measure the diameter of particles in flight. Optical monitors are a low-cost way to get real-time data about particles in the air. Basic Pros:
Basic Cons:
Examples:
What does it look like:With optical or sensor based PM monitoring, a sensor is often deployed in the field (or indoors), and left to collect data. Depending on how data storage and transfer is set up in the device, collecting data can look different. It can display numerical data in real time (such as the Carnegie Mellon Spec), display color data in real time (such as the simple air sensor), upload data to the internet (such as the wifi enabled Purple Air), or store data internally for download. When might it be useful:Optical Monitoring might be useful if you need to collect a lot of data and/or collect data in real time. If you’re looking for a tool that can helpful show data visually in new ways, sensor data has the most options in terms of conveying results. It’s easily shown on a map or chart, it can be made to show colors or images correlating to levels of particulate matter in the air. More information:
Passive Particle MonitoringHow it’s done:Passive particle monitoring is done by capturing particles that collect on a surface over time. There are several methods to collecting particles in this way, most of them require that a sticky tape or pad be placed outside for several days to collect particles. The data it produces is visual, what can be seen on the sample. Basic Pros:
Basic Cons:
Examples:
What does it look like:Passive particle monitoring requires that monitors be filed deployed for a specific period of time, then analysed. Some monitors can be placed on the side of buildings or other surfaces outside, others require free standing space. Visual data can then be shared on the nature of the particulate material left on the pad after it has been deployed. When might it be useful:This type of monitoring could be useful in publicly sharing visual information on the nature of particulate matter pollution. If the pollution is such that a film develops on surfaces, this type of monitoring can be helpful in documenting that, capturing the pollution itself and displaying it for others to understand. More information:
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