Comparison of Speciation Sampler and PC-BOSS Fine Particulate Matter Organic Material Results Obtained in Lindon, Utah, during Winter 2001–2002

Abstract

The Particle Concentrator-Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System (PC-BOSS) has been previously verified as being capable of measuring total fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), including semi-volatile species. The present study was conducted to determine if the simple modification of a commercial speciation sampler with a charcoal denuder followed by a filter pack containing a quartz filter and a charcoal-impregnated glass (CIG) fiber filter would allow for the measurement of total PM 2.5 , including semi-volatile organic material. Data were collected using an R&P (Rupprecht and Pastasnik Co., Inc.) Partisol Model 2300 speciation sampler; an R&P Partisol speciation sampler modified with a BOSS denuder, followed by a filter pack with a quartz and a CIG filter; a Met One spiral aerosol speciation sampler (SASS); and the PC-

Measurement of Fine Particulate Matter Nonvolatile and Semi-Volatile Organic Material with the Sunset Laboratory Carbon Aerosol Monitor

“…On the basis of data obtained in several studies with a charcoal-impregnated filter using a parallel plate denuder 4,5,8,9,14,18,20 the initial peak in the data is due to the small fraction of the gas-phase organic material entering the denuder that is not removed by the denuder, and this material is well separated from SVOC lost from particles. For the sample given in Figure 1B, this initial peak is about half the size of the larger peakin the 220 -450°C temperature step.…”

“…Denuder strips were not changed during the Rubidoux study because the study duration of 4 weeks was not expected to result in a significant degradation of denuder efficiency on the basis of previous studies. 14 …”

“…This denuder is intended to remove gasphase organic compounds that can be adsorbed by a quartz filter, thus eliminating any positive quartz filter artifact for the data obtained with the monitor. 12,14,15 The particles in the sampled airstream are then collected on a 12.3-mm diameter quartz filter for a controlled time period (45 min in the study reported here). Sample collection is then interrupted and the sample analyzed, using a thermal/optical transmittance (TOT) volatilization method comparable to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Method 5040.…”

“…A diffusion denuder, identical to that used in the unmodified instrument, removed gas-phase material with an expected efficiency based on past studies of better than 99%. 14 After the removal of the gas-phase material, the particles were removed from the sampled airstream immediately before the entrance to the Sunset monitor using a prefired (800°C) 47-mm quartz filter in a MACE in-line, Teflon filter holder. The particle-free air (with any SVOC lost from the particles during sample collection) passed into the filter collection region of the Sunset monitor.…”

“…Because the SVOM may be important with respect to human cardiovascular health effects, 13 the development of reliable procedures for both the integrated and semicontinuous monitoring of this material is important. We have previously reported on a simple modification of the conventional U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Speciation Sampler with a diffusion denuder, 14 which allows for the routine determination of fine particulate SVOM in an integrated sampler. We report here on a modification of the Sunset Laboratory Carbon Aerosol Monitor that allows for the semicontinuous determination of this material.…”