Air Pollution Monitoring & Sampling Abstracts Sample

Air Pollution Monitoring & Sampling Abstracts

December 2007

MO 07 12 01 “Apportionment of Ambient Primary and Secondary Fine Particulate Matter during a 2001 Summer Intensive Study at the CMU Supersite and NETL Pittsburgh Site” by Delbert J. Eatough and Nolan F. Mangelson, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, Richard R. Anderson, Donald V. Martello and Natalie J. Pekney, U.S. Department of Energy, Pittsburgh, PA, Cliff I. Davidson, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA and William K. Modey, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, October 2007, 17 p.
Using PMF2, sources of PM during July 2001 at urban and suburban Pittsburgh locations were compared. The largest contributors to PM_2.5 were secondary transported ammonium sulfate from the west and southwest, secondary organic material formed during midday photochemical processes, and gasoline combustion emissions. The results indicate most of secondary PM originates from distant sources, and is decoupled from local activity involving organic pollutants from local mobile sources. This study infers that effective State Implementation Plans for the Pittsburgh Metropolitan area must consider reductions in PM and PM precursors from the Ohio River Valley, and more stringent controls on mobile emissions sources.
IM 700 METEOROLOGICAL, C NETL,
IM 172 PM_2.5, IM 210 AMBIENT AIR MONITORING

MO 07 12 02 “Availability of Federally Enforceable State Implementation Plans for All States” by U.S. EPA. Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 220, November 15, 2007, 3 p.
Section 110(h) of the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990 (the “Act”), requires EPA by November 15, 1995, and every three years thereafter, to assemble the requirements of the Federally enforceable State Implementation Plans (SIPs) in each State and to publish notice in the Federal Register of the availability of such documents. This notice of availability fulfills the three-year requirement of making these SIP compilations for each State available to the public.
C SIPS, IM 760 LEGISLATION & REGULATION, S 9511/01 FEDERAL

MO 07 12 03 “Compilation and Assessment of Recent Positive Matrix Factorization and UNMIX Receptor Model Studies on Fine Particulate Matter Source Apportionment for the Eastern United States” by Jill A. Engel-Cox, Battelle Memorial Institute, Arlington, VA and Stephanie A. Weber, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, November 2007, 10 p.
This literature compilation summarizes a subset of the source apportionment research and general findings on fine particulate matter in the eastern half of the United States using Positive Matrix Factorization. The results between studies are generally comparable when comparable datasets are used; however, methodologies vary considerably. Commonly identified source categories include: secondary sulfate/coal burning (sometimes over 50% of total mass), secondary organic carbon/mobile sources, crustal sources, biomass burning, nitrate, various industrial processes, and sea salt. The source apportionment tools and methodologies have passed the proof-of-concept stage and are now being used to understand the ambient composition of particulate matter for sites across the United States and the spatial relationship of sources to the receptor. Recommendations are made for further and standardized method development for source apportionment studies, and specific research areas of interest for the eastern United States are proposed.
W 169 UNITED STATES, IM 132 PARTICULATE,
IM 576 SOURCE APPORTIONMENT,
IM 210 AMBIENT AIR MONITORING

MO 07 12 04 “Effects of Sulfur Dioxide and Oxides of Nitrogen Emission Reductions on Fine Particulate Matter Mass Concentrations: Regional Comparisons” by Charles L. Blanchard and Shelley Tanenbaum, Envair, Albany, CA and George M. Hidy, Envair/Aerochem, Placitas, NM. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, November 2007, 14 p.
This study compares and contrasts the responses of fine PM mass and nitrate concentrations to changes in ambient concentrations of sulfate, nitric acid, and ammonia in three geographical areas: the southeastern United States, the midwestern United States, and central California. The calculations described are based on applications of thermodynamic equilibrium models, and the results depend on the applicability of the models for simulating current air quality measurements and projecting changes. The advantages of the approach used here are that the predictions are tied directly to actual measurements, the simulations are relatively rapid, and no emissions projections are needed. Limitations of the modeling simulations, in addition to the need for a suite of ambient observations, are discussed.
IM 552 GEOGRAPHIC, IM 133 SO₂,
IM 172 PM_2.5, IM 501 AIR QUALITY MODELING,
IM 127 NO_X, IM 210 AMBIENT AIR MONITORING

MO 07 12 05 “Estimating Fine Particulate Matter Component Concentrations and Size Distributions Using Satellite-Retrieved Fractional Aerosol Optical Depth: Part 1 — Method Development” by Yang Liu and Petros Koutrakis, Harvard University, Boston, MA and Ralph Kahn, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, November 2007, 9 p.
Studying the health effects of specific PM_2.5 constituents is very important in shaping air quality standards and control policies for PM_2.5. However, such studies are difficult to conduct due to the lack of reliable PM_2.5 speciation exposure estimates. This article presents a method that uses satellite-retrieved column fractional AOD values for different aerosol types, along with aerosol transport model results, to estimate ground-level concentrations and size distributions of PM_2.5 and its major constituents. This method can provide valuable information on the spatial characteristics of PM_2.5 constituents over large areas, and hence can help in designing more efficient emissions control policies.
IM 807 AEROSOLS, IM 759 HEALTH/SAFETY,
IM 420 OPTICAL, IM 172 PM_2.5

MO 07 12 06 “Estimating Fine Particulate Matter Component Concentrations and Size Distributions Using Satellite-Retrieved Fractional Aerosol Optical Depth: Part 2 — A Case Study” by Yang Liu and Petros Koutrakis, Harvard University, Boston, MA, Ralph Kahn, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, Solene Turquety, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France and Robert M. Yantosca, Harvard Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, November 2007, 10 p.
This paper examines the ability of MISR fractional AODs to predict ground-level concentrations and size distributions of PM_2.5 and its major constituents. Results suggest that MISR fractional AOD date can become a valuable resource in an effort to determine the time and space-resolved PM_2.5 exposure. Aerosol vertical profiles simulated by atmospheric chemical transport models can improve the association between MISR fractional AODs and ground PM_2.5 information.
Im 807 aerosols, im 759 health/safety,
im 420 optical, im 172 pm2_2.5

MO 07 12 07 “Fugitive Emissions Opacity Determination Using the Digital Opacity Compliance System (DOCS)” by Michael J. McFarland, Arthur C. Olivas, Hill Air Force Base, UT, Sally G. Atkins, URS Corporation, Herndon, VA, Robert L. Kennedy, Environmental Division, Fort Hood, TX and Kalpesh Patel, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, November 2007, 9 p.
Despite the absence of a federally approved fugitive emission opacity measurement method, many DoD facilities currently operate under regulatory enforceable fugitive opacity limits. Many state and local air regulations require that these facilities certify regulatory compliance with fugitive emissions opacity limits using Method 9-trained human observers. The DOCs, which is an innovative digital camera-based technology, employs a conventional image processing approach to assess or estimate fugitive emissions opacity. Advantages of the DOCS technology include its ability to: 1) objectively determine fugitive emissions opacity and 2) provide a permanent visual archive of the emissions at the time in question.
IM 801 FUGITIVE EMISSIONS,
IM 280 OPACITY MONITORS, IM 610 METHOD 9,
C U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

MO 07 12 08 “A Method of Assessing Air Toxics Concentrations in Urban Areas Using Mobile Platform Measurements” by Vlad Isakov and Jawad S. Touma, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Research Triangle Park, NC and Andrey Khlystov, Duke University, Durham, NC. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, November 2007, 10 p.
The objective of this paper is to demonstrate an approach to characterize the spatial variability in ambient air concentrations using mobile platform measurements. This approach may be useful for air toxics assessments in Environmental Justice applications, epidemiological studies, and environmental health risk assessments. It can be used as a method to provide spatial mapping, as a diagnostic tool to supplement existing monitoring networks or to assist in siting future monitors, and it can help determine the relative importance of local versus regional impacts.
IM 808 MOBILE SOURCE MONITORING,
IM 210 AMBIENT AIR MONITORING

MO 07 12 09 “Proposed Settlement Agreement, Clean Air Act Citizen Suit” by U.S. EPA. Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 182, September 20, 2007, 2 p.
In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (“Act”), 42, U.S.C. 7413(g), notice is hereby given of a proposed settlement agreement, to address three lawsuits filed by the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Specialty Steel Industry of North America and the Steel Manufacturers Association. [American Iron and Steel Institute et. al v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, No. 00-1434 consolidated with Nos. 00-1435 and 05-1135 (D.C. Cir)]. In these cases, petitioners asked the Court to review final rules promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relating to the New Source Performance Standards for Electric Arc Furnaces, 40 CFR Part 60, Subparts AA and AAa, and the Amendments to Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources: Monitoring Requirements (PS-1) 65 FR 48914 (August 10, 2000). Under the terms of the proposed settlement agreement, the EPA would execute a letter explaining its position regarding the proper use of continuous opacity monitoring system (COMS) data with respect to the 40 CFR Part 60, Subparts AAa and AAa NSPS for electric arc furnace (EAF) steel facilities.
IM 760 LEGISLATION & REGULATION,
S 3312/11 STEEL ELECTRIC ARC

MO 07 12 10 “Revised Algorithm for Estimating Light Extinction from IMPROVE Particle Speciation Data” by Marc Pitchford, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Las Vegas, NV, William Malm and Bret Schichtel, National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO, Naresh Kumar, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA, Douglas Lowenthal, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV and Jenny Hand, Colorado State University, Fort Collin, CO. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, November 2007, 11 p.
Concerns raised about the use of the original IMPROVE algorithm for estimating light extinction from particle composition data for calculating the metric for tracking trends for the Regional Haze Rule (RHR) have been addressed in the formulation of a revised algorithm. The new algorithm reduces biases at the upper and lower extremes, which are of particular concern with regards to the RHR, which mandates reducing the impacts of manmade emissions on the 20% worst haze days while avoiding degradation of the 20% best haze conditions. The revised algorithm is likely to be adopted by most states for the technical assessments and modeling supporting their RHR state implementation plans.
C IMPROVE, IM 560 NETWORKS, IM 172 PM_2.5,
IM 150 PM₁₀, IM 288 LIGHT SCATTERING DEVICES

MO 07 12 11 “A Simple Procedure for Correcting Loading Effects of Aethalometer Data” by Aki Virkkula, Timo Mäkelä, and Risto Hillamo, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland, Tarja Yli-Tuomi, National Public Health Institute, Kuopio, Finland, Anne Hirsikko and Kaarle Hämeri, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland and Ismo K. Koponen, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, October 2007, 9 p.
The aethalometer, a commonly used method for measuring BC concentrations in atmospheric aerosol, calculates the concentrations from the rate of change of light transmission through a filter; the faster the filter gets dark, the higher the BC concentrations are. The instrument software assumes that the relationship between the BC concentration and the rate of change of light transmission is linear; however, in most cases this is not true. The method presented in this work can easily be used for correcting this nonlinearity. The method also yields information on the contribution of BC to the aerosol volume.
IM 807 AEROSOLS, S 2895/00 CARBON BLACK,
W 022 FINLAND, IM 593 SOFTWARE

MO 07 12 12 “Standards of Performance for Equipment Leaks of VOC in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry; Standards of Performance for Equipment Leaks of VOC in Petroleum Refineries; Final Rule” by U.S. EPA. Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 221, November 16, 2007, 93 p.
EPA is issuing final amendments to the standards of performance for equipment leaks of volatile organic compounds in the synthetic organic chemicals manufacturing industry and to the standards of performance for equipment leaks of volatile organic compounds in petroleum refineries. The amended standards for the synthetic organic chemicals manufacturing industry apply to affected facilities that are constructed, reconstructed, or modified after January 5, 1981, and on or before November 7, 2006. The amended standards for petroleum refineries apply to affected facilities that are constructed, reconstructed, or modified after January 4, 1983, and on or before November 7, 2006. In this action, EPA is also issuing new standards of performance for equipment leaks of volatile organic compounds in the synthetic organic chemicals manufacturing industry and for equipment leaks of volatile organic compounds in petroleum refineries which apply to affected facilities that are constructed, reconstructed, or modified after November 7, 2006. The final amendments and new standards are based on the results of EPA’s review of the existing regulations as required by section 111(b)(1)(B) of the Clean Air Act.
C SOCMI, IM 760 LEGISLATION & REGULATION,
IM 282 VOC ANALYZERS,
S 2911/00 PETROLEUM REFINING,
S 2860/00 ORGANIC INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS

MO 07 12 13 “A Statistical Assessment of Saturation and Mobile Sampling Strategies to Estimate Long-Term Average Concentrations across Urban Areas” by Xiaohong Xu and Yanshan Guo, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada and Jeffrey R. Brook, Environment Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, November 2007, 11 p.
Urban air pollution is a concern in many places. Saturation monitoring and mobile sampling represent two popular approaches for characterizing hotspots and intraurban concentration gradients in support of epidemiological studies. In this study, a statistical assessment of these two approaches was conducted to estimate the likely errors associated with characterizing long-term concentration patterns with a relatively small number of measurements. Five years (1998-2002) of ambient air quality data collected in six Canadian cities were used to simulate different sampling scenarios. The results will help guide future mobile and saturation monitoring studies and the interpretation of previously collected measurements using these approaches.
W 101 CANADA,
IM 210 AMBIENT AIR MONITORING,
IM 808 MOBILE SOURCE MONITORING

MO 07 12 14 “Which Meteorological Conditions Produce Worst-Case Odors from Area Sources?” by Melanie Sattler and Sapna Devanathan, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 57, November 2007, 11 p.
This is the first study to our knowledge to determine the season and stability class associated with worst-case odors, considering meteorological impacts on both emissions generation and dispersion. Knowing the season with worst-case odors would allow wastewater treatment plant operators to increase control measures like iron salt feeding during that time. The methodology could be extended to determine the worst season for other open liquid area sources of volatile organic compounds or odors, such as storage lagoons at petroleum refineries or chemical processing facilities, located in regions with different meteorology. The study also compared concentrations estimates of ISCST3 and AERMOD.
IM 700 METEOROLOGICAL, IM 131 ODORS,
IM 572 DISPERSION MODELS,
S 4952/20 WASTEWATER, MUNICIPAL