Introduction to Air Quality

ATCEMNovember 6, 2012

Pat EllsworthInstitute for Tribal Environmental Professionals

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A CUBIC METER

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Step-by-Step Calculation of PM10 Concentration

1. Calculate particulate weight (in grams) as follows:final weight of dry filter - initial weight of dry filter = particulate weight__________ grams - __________ grams = __________ grams

2. Calculate total time sampler was running (in minutes):

__________ hours run x 60 minutes = __________ minutes 1 hour

3. Calculate average flow rate for the sampling period:

initial flow meter rate + final flow meter rate = __________liters/min2

4. Calculate volume of air sampled (in liters): average flow rate x time = volume sampled

_______ liters x _______ minutes = __________ liters 1 minute

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Step-by-Step Calculation of PM10 Concentration (continued)5. Convert particulate weight from grams to micrograms:

__________ grams x 1 x 106 µg = ___________ µg

1 1 gram

6. Convert volume of air sampled from liters to cubic meters:

__________ liters x 1 m3 = ___________ m3

1 1 x 103 liters

7. Divide particulate weight (µg) by volume of air sampled (m3). Report average particulate concentration as: __________ µg/m3

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National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Pollutant Primary Standards Secondary Standards

 Level Averaging Time Level Averaging Time

Carbon Monoxide (CO) 9 ppm 8-hour None  35 ppm 1-hour None         Lead (Pb) 0.15 µg/m3 3-Month Same as Primary

         Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) 53 ppb Annual Same as Primary  100 ppb 1-hour None         Particulate Matter (PM10) 150 µg/m3 24-hour Same as Primary

  Revoked Annual             Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 15.0 µg/m3 Annual Same as Primary

  35 µg/m3 24-hour Same as Primary

         Ozone (O3) 0.075 ppm 8-hour Same as Primary         Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) 0.075 ppm 1-hour 0.5 ppm 3-hour         

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