EVT 536 ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING

AMBIENT AIR SAMPLING: EQUIPMENT

AND DEVICES
INTRODUCTION

WHY???
 To provide data for air pollution index in order
inform public about current ambient air quality
all over Malaysia.
 To ensure air quality in compliance to the
National ambient air quality guidelines (NAAQG).
 Evaluation state of air quality resulted from
implementation of ambient air quality guideline
and emission control standard.
 The air pollutants monitor are those classified as
criteria air pollutants; include NOx, SOx, CO,
PM10, TSP, O3 and Pb.

2
National Ambient Air Quality Guidelines

3
National Ambient Air Quality Guideline (NAAQG)

The NAAQG quoted the unit for the air pollutants in

two ways:
 Part permillion (ppm) and/or w/w, that is µg/m3
or mg/m3 or g/m3for all gases pollutant
 Particulate matter in unit of w/w, that is µg/m3
or mg/m3 or g/m3
 User as well as researchers should know how to
convert the ppm to µg/m3 or vice=versa from
µg/m3 to ppm in order to express the
concentration of gases pollutants measured by
various reference method.

4
 CONVERSION OF PPM TO µg/m3 OF GASES
POLLUTANTS AIR CONCENTRATION.
Ideal gas law stated that – that is ambient air
approximate an ideal gas.

PV = nRT
Where
P= absolute pressure
V = volume
n = number of moles
R = ideal gas law constant
T = absolute temperature
 CONVERSION OF PPM TO µg/m3 OF
GASES POLLUTANTS AIR
CONCENTRATION.
• The unit of all terms must be consistent.
• A common set of unit
• P in atm ( or 760mm Hg)
• V in liters
• n in gmol
• R has the value 0.08206 L –atm/gmol-K
• T in degree K (Kelvin)
CONVERSION OF PPM TO µg/m3 OF GASES
POLLUTANTS AIR CONCENTRATION.
 The ideal gas law equation can also be written as
PV =
Where
M = mass of the sample
MW = molecular weight of the gas
The above equation can be rearranged to give
the mass density of an ideal gas as
ρ =
Note : unit of g/gmol for the molecular weight,
and density ρ in unit of g/liter.

7
  

CONVERSION OF PPM TO µg/m3 OF GASES

POLLUTANTS AIR CONCENTRATION.

8
 CONVERSION OF PPM TO µg/m3 OF GASES
POLLUTANTS AIR CONCENTRATION
Question
(b) Exactly 500.0 mL of CO is mixed with
1.000m3 (1,000,000 mL) of air. Calculate the
resulting concentration of CO in ppm.

Solution
(a) = 500.0 ppm
(b) ppm
The pollutant volume fraction in the gas can be
written as:

Where the subscript p and t indicate pollutant gas

and total gas, respectively. Note that all unit should
be consistent.
V= L
P = atm
n = gmol
T=K
R = 0.082 L-atm/(gmol-K)

CONVERSION OF PPM TO µg/m3 OF GASES

POLLUTANTS AIR CONCENTRATION
10
CONVERSION OF PPM TO µg/m3 OF GASES
POLLUTANTS AIR CONCENTRATION

The left side of the equation convert to ppm by

multiply 106 and so the right hand side also need to
be multiply by 106

Cppm = = 106

Where
Mp = mass of pollutant gas
MWp = molecular weight of pollutant gas, g/gmol
The above equation ca be rearranged to isolate the
concentration in unit of mass per volume ( in unit
g/L)
= , where the RT/P can be replaced by V/n. 11
CONVERSION OF PPM TO µg/m3 OF GASES
POLLUTANTS AIR CONCENTRATION

Note that the unit of the left side are in g/L, which are not the
most convenience for reporting pollutant concentration in air.
To covert the unit into µg/m3, the left side must be multiplied
by 109 ( product of 106µg/g and 103L/m3). To maintain
equality the right hand side also be multiplied by 109.

Therefore Cmass = µg/m3

Where
Cmass = mass concentration, µg/m3
Cppm = volume or molar concentration, in ppm
NOTE: The equation applies only at 25oC and 1 atm
ptressure.

12
CONVERSION OF PPM TO µg/m3 OF GASES
POLLUTANTS AIR CONCENTRATION
Question
(a) What is the 8-hr AAQG for ozone, expressed in
µg/m3?
(b) What is the 24-hr AAQG for SO2, expressed in
µg/m3?
(c) Assume that a sample of air at 25oC and containing
SO2 at a concentration equal to the AAQG is raised
to 150oC. What is the concentration of SO2 in ppm
and in µg/m3.
Solution
(a) The ozone standard is 0.075 ppm. Using equation
with the MW of ozone (48)
Cmass = = 147 µg/m3
13
(b) The SO2 with MW = 64.06, the concentration in
ppm 0.14 ppm for 24-hr average for SO2 in AAQG is
equivalent to:
Cmass =
© In unit ppm, which is a relative measure of volume
ratio of gases, the concentration remains the same, so
the first answer is 0.14 ppm at 150oC. But to convert
from ppm to µg/m3 at this new temperature, first
derive a new denominator for the equation.
= 34.71 L/gmol
Cmass = = 258 µg/m3

CONVERSION OF PPM TO µg/m3 OF GASES

POLLUTANTS AIR CONCENTRATION
14
GENERAL REQUIREMENT AIR SAMPLING AND
ANALYSIS

The following consideration require special

attention when carrying out the air sampling for
ambient air pollutants analysis; including:

 Survey for preliminary information

 Selection of sampling procedure
 Sampling locations
 Period of sampling, frequency and duration
 Other parameters to be monitored

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GENERAL REQUIREMENT AIR SAMPLING
AND ANALYSIS

Survey for preliminary information

 During ambient air pollutants sampling, it is also necessary to collect
information on qualitative and quantitative data on the local sources of air
pollution, topography, population distribution, land use pattern,
climatology, etc, depending upon the objectives of the survey or
measurement campaign.
 For example, an area map to locate pollution sources and monitoring
locations, sources of pollution situated at far distances, etc. and other
relevant data that describe the behavior of atmosphere for a specific
pollutant to be sampled may also be required.

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GENERAL REQUIREMENT AIR SAMPLING
AND ANALYSIS

Selection of sampling procedure

 There are two types of sampling – continuous and time averaged in – situ
samplings. Continuous sampling is carried out by automatic sensors,
optical or electrochemical, and spectroscopic methods which produce
continuous records of concentration values. The specific time-averaged
concentration data can then be obtained from continuous records.
 Time-averaged data can also be obtained by sampling for a set time – i.e.
by sampling a known volume of air for the required averaging time.
Samples are then analyzed by established physical, chemical, and
biological methods for the concentration values which are the effective
average over the period of sampling.
GENERAL REQUIREMENT AIR SAMPLING AND
ANALYSIS

Sampling locations
 Sampling locations are in general governed by factors like objectives, method of
sampling and resources available.
 If the objective is to study health hazards and material damages, then locations
should be kept close to the objects where the effects are being studied and should
be kept at breathing level in the population centers, hospitals, schools, etc.
 For vegetation, it should be at foliage level.
 For background concentration, sampling location should be away from the
sources of pollution. It can also be done by gridding the entire area to get
statistically recommended values.
 The number of locations however depends upon the variability of concentration
over the area under survey. A spot checking may be done to decide the location
besides considering practical factors.

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GENERAL REQUIREMENT AIR SAMPLING
AND ANALYSIS

Period of sampling, frequency and duration

 Period, frequency and duration of sampling should be
appropriate to the objectives of the study. It should be such
that the measurable quantities are trapped in the sample at the
end of the sampling.
 It is preferable to observe sampling period consistent with the
averaging times for which air quality guideline of the given
pollutants are specified.

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GENERAL REQUIREMENT AIR SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS

Other parameters to be measured

The pollutants for which sampling and analytical techniques
discussed are criteria and non-criteria air pollutants including
SO2, NOx, O3,NMHC, CO, BTX, TSP, PM10 and RSPM.
In addition, methods for meteorological parameters such as
wind speed, direction, temperature, solar radiation and relative
humidity are also discussed along with wind rose plotting
methods. The rationale for selecting these pollutants in this
manual is that they are ubiquitous in urban air, widely
recognized as posing a potential risk to population health and
they are commonly regulated at national and international level.

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SELECTION OF METHODS

 Method selected should be acceptable by the

relevant agency.
 Generally the US-EPA reference methods are
acceptable by the relevant authority.

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BRIEF REFERENCE METHOD FOR SAMPLING AND
ANALYSIS

• Reference method for analysis of SO2 in

ambient air
REFERENCE METHOD FOR AIR SAMPLING AND
ANALYSIS OF SO2

Applicability.

 The method provides a measurement of the concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO 2) in

ambient air for determining compliance with the primary and secondary national
ambient air quality standards for sulfur oxides (sulfur dioxide. The method is
applicable to the measurement of ambient SO2 concentrations using sampling
periods ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours.

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REFERENCE METHOD FOR AIR SAMPLING AND
ANALYSIS OF SO2
Principle.
 A measured volume of air is bubbled through a solution of 0.04 M potassium
tetrachloromercurate (TCM). The SO2 present in the air stream reacts with the TCM
solution to form a stable monochlorosulfonatomercurate complex. Once formed,
this complex resists air oxidation and is stable in the presence of strong oxidants
such as ozone and oxides of nitrogen.
 During subsequent analysis, the complex is reacted with acid-bleached
pararosaniline dye and formaldehyde to form an intensely colored pararosaniline
methyl sulfonic acid. The optical density of this species is determined
spectrophotometrically at 548 nm and is directly related to the amount of SO 2
collected.
 The total volume of air sampled, corrected to EPA reference conditions (25 °C, 760
mm Hg [101 kPa]), is determined from the measured flow rate and the sampling
time. The concentration of SO2 in the ambient air is computed and expressed in
micrograms per standard cubic meter (µg/std m3).

24
 REFERENCE METHOD FOR AIR SAMPLING
AND ANALYSIS OF SO2

SAMPLING.

Method of measurement
Volumetric sampling a volume of air through a collecting medium at a known flow rate for a specified time period.

Instrument
Gas sampler of midget impingers or high volume sampler with a gas kit attachment for SO 2

Auxiliaries
Standard glass bubbles, air flow rotameter for measuring flow rate.
REFERENCE METHOD FOR AIR SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
OF SO2

Chemicals
0.1 N sodium tetra-chloromercurate, an absorbing
agent.

LABORATORY ANALYSIS
The equipment spectrophotometer measured by
colormetric method through estimating absorbance
of SO2 from the exposed absorbing reagent at
540nm.

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27
REFERENCE METHOD FOR AIR SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
OF TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER (TSP)

Applicability

 This method provides a measurement of the mass concentration

of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) in ambient air for
determining compliance with the primary and secondary
national ambient air quality guideline for particulate matter.
 The measurement process is nondestructive, and the size of the
sample collected is usually adequate for subsequent chemical
analysis.

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REFERENCE METHOD FOR AIR SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
OF TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER (TSP)

Principle
• An air sampler, properly located at the measurement site, draws a
measured quantity of ambient air into a covered housing and through a
filter during a 24-hr (nominal) sampling period.
• The sampler flow rate and the geometry of the shelter favor the
collection of particles up to 25–50 μm (aerodynamic diameter),
depending on wind speed and direction.(3) The filters used are specified
to have a minimum collection efficiency of 99 percent for 0.3 µm
particles.
• The filter is weighed (after moisture equilibration) before and after use to
determine the net weight (mass) gain. The total volume of air sampled,
corrected to EPA standard conditions (25 °C, 760 mm Hg [101 kPa]), is
determined from the measured flow rate and the sampling time.
REFERENCE METHOD FOR AIR SAMPLING AND
ANALYSIS OF TOTAL SUSPENDED
PARTICULATE MATTER (TSP)

Principle (continued)
 The concentration of total suspended particulate matter in the
ambient air is computed as the mass of collected particles
divided by the volume of air sampled, corrected to standard
conditions, and is expressed in micrograms per standard cubic
meter (µg/std m3).
 For samples collected at temperatures and pressures
significantly different than standard conditions, these
corrected concentrations may differ substantially from actual
concentrations (µg per actual cubic meter), particularly at high
elevations. The actual particulate matter concentration can be
calculated from the corrected concentration using the actual
temperature and pressure during the sampling period.
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REFERENCE METHOD FOR AIR SAMPLING AND
ANALYSIS OF TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATE
MATTER (TSP)

SAMPLING
Method of Measurement
Volumetric filtration – sampling a volume of air through
a filter medium at a known flow rate for a specified time.

Instrument
High volume sampler with TSP or SPM filter manifold

Auxiliaries
High volume samplers with airflow manometer for
measuring flow rate, via microfiber filter (8” x 10 “ size)

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 REFERENCE METHOD FOR AIR SAMPLING AND
ANALYSIS OF TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATE
MATTER (TSP)
Chemicals
Nil

LABORATORY ANALYSIS

Method
Gravimetric – by weighing the mass of the
collected particles
33
 Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure for the
measurement of CO in atmosphere (non-dispersive infrared
Photometry

Measurement principle
• Measurements are based on the absorption of infrared radiation by
carbon monoxide (CO) in a non-dispersive photometer. Infrared
energy from a source is passed through a cell containing the gas
sample to be analyzed, and the quantitative absorption of energy by
CO in the sample cell is measured by a suitable detector.
• The photometer is sensitized to CO by employing CO gas in either
the detector or in a filter cell in the optical path, thereby limiting the
measured absorption to one or more of the characteristic wavelengths
at which CO strongly absorbs. Optical filters or other means may
also be used to limit sensitivity of the photometer to a narrow
band of interest.
Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure for the measurement
of CO in atmosphere (non-dispersive infrared hotometry

Measurement Principle (continued)

• Various schemes may be used to provide a suitable zero
reference for the photometer. The measured absorption
is converted to an electrical output signal, which is
related to the concentration of CO in the measurement
cell.
Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure for
the measurement of CO in atmosphere (non-dispersive
infrared photometry

SAMPLING
Method of Measurement
Non-dispersive infra-red absorption (NDIR) method, the most
commonly used automated continuous with a measurement
range of about 0.5 to 115 mg/m3.
Instrument
A non-dispersive infra-red absorption gas analyzer-i.e. any
electron optical spectrophotometer with no spectral dispersion
component. The intensities of carbon dioxide and water vapor
restricted to less than 1%.

36
Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure for
the measurement of CO in atmosphere (non-dispersive
infrared photometry

Auxiliaries
Infra-red gas analyzer, infra red detectors
separated by optical cell, flow meter, connecting
tube and pump.

Chemicals
Magnesium perchlorate, fibre filter pump.

Laboratory analysis
Field measurement
38
Measurement Principle and Calibration
Procedure for the Measurement of Ozone in
the Atmosphere
Measurement Principle

• Ambient air and ethylene are delivered simultaneously to

a mixing zone where the ozone in the air reacts with the
ethylene to emit light, which is detected by a
photomultiplier tube.
• The resulting photocurrent is amplified and is either read
directly or displayed on a recorder.
• An analyzer based on this principle will be considered a
reference method only if it has been designated as a
reference method.
Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure for the Measurement of Ozone in the Atmosphere

Measurement Principle
 Ambient air and ethylene are delivered simultaneously to a
mixing zone where the ozone in the air reacts with the
ethylene to emit light, which is detected by a photomultiplier
tube. The resulting photocurrent is amplified and is either read
directly or displayed on a recorder.

40
Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure
for the Measurement of Ozone in the Atmosphere
Calibration Procedure - Principle

 The calibration procedure is based on the photometric assay of ozone

(O3) concentrations in a dynamic flow system.
 The concentration of O3 in an absorption cell is determined from a
measurement of the amount of 254 nm light absorbed by the sample.
This determination requires knowledge of (1) the absorption
coefficient (a) of O3 at 254 nm, (2) the optical path length (l) through
the sample, (3) the transmittance of the sample at a wavelength of 254
nm, and (4) the temperature (T) and pressure (P) of the sample.
 The transmittance is defined as the ratio I/I0, where I is the intensity of
light which passes through the cell and is sensed by the detector when
the cell contains an O3 sample, and I0 is the intensity of light which
passes through the cell and is sensed by the detector when the cell
contains zero air …. ..
Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure
for the Measurement of Ozone in the Atmosphere
 It is assumed that all conditions of the system, except for the
contents of the absorption cell, are identical during
measurement of I and I0. The quantities defined above are
related by the Beer-Lambert absorption law,
Transmittance =

where
α = absorption coefficient of O3 at 254 nm = 308 atm-1cm-1 at oC
and 760 mmHg.
C = O3 concentration in atmosphere
l = path length
42
Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure
for the Measurement of Ozone in the Atmosphere

Applicability.

 This procedure is applicable to the calibration of ambient

air O3 analyzers, either directly or by means of a transfer
standard certified by this procedure.
Measurement Principle and Calibration Procedure
for the Measurement of Ozone in the Atmosphere
Apparatus.
 A complete UV calibration system consists of an ozone
generator, an output port or manifold, a photometer, an
appropriate source of zero air, and other components as
necessary.
 The configuration must provide a stable ozone concentration
at the system output and allow the photometer to accurately
assay the output concentration to the precision specified for
the photometer. Figure shows a commonly used configuration
and serves to illustrate the calibration procedure which
follows.

44
Measurement Principle and Calibration
Procedure for the Measurement of Ozone in
the Atmosphere
Reagents.

Zero air.
 The zero air must be free of contaminants which would cause a
detectable response from the O 3 analyzer, and it should be free of NO,
C2 H4, and other species which react with O 3. A procedure for
generating suitable zero air is given in Reference 9. As shown in Figure
1, the zero air supplied to the photometer cell for the I 0 reference
measurement must be derived from the same source as the zero air used
for generation of the ozone concentration to be assayed (I
measurement). When using the photometer to certify a transfer standard
having its own source of ozone.
46
 NITROGEN OXIDES
Name of the method

Measurement Principle and Calibration

Procedure for the Nitrogen Oxide in Atmosphere
(Gas Phase Chemiluminescence)
Nitrogen Oxides
Principle and Applicability
 Atmospheric concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are measured indirectly
by photometrically measuring the light intensity, at wavelengths greater than
600 nanometers, resulting from the chemiluminescent reaction of nitric oxide
(NO) with ozone (O3).
 NO2 is first quantitatively reduced to NO by means of a converter. NO, which
commonly exists in ambient air together with NO2, passes through the converter
unchanged causing a resultant total NOX concentration equal to NO+NO2.
 A sample of the input air is also measured without having passed through the
converter. This latter NO measurement is subtracted from the former
measurement (NO+NO2) to yield the final NO2 measurement. The NO and
NO+NO2 measurements may be made concurrently with dual systems, or
cyclically with the same system provided the cycle time does not exceed 1
minute.

48
 NITROGEN OXIDES
Alternative Analytical Technique

Principle
The method is in principle the same as the sulfur dioxide, where
the nitrogen oxide gas trapped in a liquid medium contain
chemical that can trapped and absorbed the pollutant.

Method name – Sampling of oxides of nitrogen in ambient air and

the determination of its concentration.

Method of measurement – sampling a volume of air through a

collecting medium at a known flow rate for a specified time.
NITROGEN OXIDES
Chemicals
Solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium arsenite to be
used as absorbing reagent. The absorbing reagent is
prepared by dissolving 4 g sodium hydroxide and 1 g of
sodium arsenite in 1 liter of distilled water.

LABORATORY ANALYSIS
Method – colorimetric by reacting the nitrite ions with
phosphorous acid, sulphanilamide, and NEDA solution and
measuring the absorption at 540 nm using
spectrophotometer.
Note: NEDA is (N-(I-Napthyl) –ethyldiamine Di-
hydrochloride reagent.

50
51
 LEAD IN AMBIENT AIR

Name of the US-EPA Method

Reference Method for the Determination of Lead

in Suspended Particulate Matter Collected from
Ambient Air.
LEAD IN AMBIENT AIR
Principle and applicability
 Ambient air suspended particulate matter is collected on a
glass-fiber filter for 24 hours using a high volume air sampler.
 The analysis of the 24-hour samples may be performed for
either individual samples or composites of the samples
collected over a calendar month or quarter, provided that the
compositing procedure has been approved by authority.
 Lead in the particulate matter is solubilized by extraction with
nitric acid (HNO3), facilitated by heat or by a mixture of
HNO3 and hydrochloric acid (HCl) facilitated by
ultrasonication.

53
LEAD IN AMBIENT AIR

Principle and Applicability (continued)

• The lead content of the sample is analyzed by atomic

absorption spectrometry using an air-acetylene flame,
the 283.3 or 217.0 nm lead absorption line, and the
optimum instrumental conditions recommended by the
manufacturer.
 PARTICULATE MATTER PM10

Name of the Method

Reference Method for the Determination of

Particulate Matter as PM10 in the Atmosphere
PARTICULATE MATTER PM10
Applicability.
 This method provides for the measurement of the mass
concentration of particulate matter with an aerodynamic
diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers
(PM1O) in ambient air over a 24-hour period for purposes of
determining attainment and maintenance of the primary and
secondary national ambient air quality standards for
particulate matter.
 The measurement process is nondestructive, and the PM10
sample can be subjected to subsequent physical or chemical
analyses.

56
 PARTICULATE MATTER PM10
Principle
• An air sampler draws ambient air at a constant flow rate into
a specially shaped inlet where the suspended particulate
matter is inertially separated into one or more size fractions
within the PM10 size range.
• Each size fraction in the PM1O size range is then collected
on a separate filter over the specified sampling period.
• he particle size discrimination characteristics (sampling
effectiveness and 50 percent cutpoint) of the sampler inlet
are prescribed as performance specifications.
PARTICULATE MATTER PM10
Principle (continued)
 Each filter is weighed (after moisture equilibration) before and
after use to determine the net weight (mass) gain due to
collected PM10.
 The total volume of air sampled, corrected to EPA reference
conditions (25oC, 101.3 kPa), is determined from the
measured flow rate and the sampling time.
 The mass concentration of PM10 in the ambient air is
computed as the total mass of collected particles in the PM10
size range divided by the volume of air sampled, and is
expressed in micrograms per standard cubic meter (µg/std m3).

58
PARTICULATE MATTER PM2.5
Name of the method

Reference Method for the Determination of Fine

Particulate Matter as PM2.5 in the Atmosphere

59
 PARTICULATE MATTER PM2.5
Applicability.
• This method provides for the measurement of the mass
concentration of fine particulate matter having an
aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5
micrometers (PM2.5) in ambient air over a 24-hour period
for purposes of determining whether the primary and
secondary national ambient air quality standards for fine
particulate matter is met.
• The measurement process is considered to be
nondestructive, and the PM2.5 sample obtained can be
subjected to subsequent physical or chemical analyses.
PARTICULATE MATTER PM2.5
Principle.
 An electrically powered air sampler draws ambient air at a
constant volumetric flow rate into a specially shaped inlet and
through an inertial particle size separator (impactor) where the
suspended particulate matter in the PM2.5 size range is
separated for collection on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
filter over the specified sampling period.
 Each filter is weighed (after moisture and temperature
conditioning) before and after sample collection to determine
the net gain due to collected PM2.5.

61
 PARTICULATE MATTER PM2.5

Principle (continued)
• The total volume of air sampled is determined by the
sampler from the measured flow rate at actual ambient
temperature and pressure and the sampling time.
• The mass concentration of PM2.5 in the ambient air is
computed as the total mass of collected particles in the
PM2.5 size range divided by the actual volume of air
sampled, and is expressed in micrograms per cubic meter
of air (µg/m3).
PARTICULATE MATTER PM10 – 2.5

Name of the Method

Reference Method for the Determination of Coarse

Particulate Matter as PM10-2.5 in the atmosphere

63
 PARTICULATE MATTER PM10-2.5
Applicability and Definition
• This method provides for the measurement of the mass
concentration of coarse particulate matter (PM10–2.5) in
ambient air over a 24-hour period. In conjunction with
additional analysis, this method may be used to develop
speciated data.
• For the purpose of this method, PM10–2.5 is defined as
particulate matter having an aerodynamic diameter in the
nominal range of 2.5 to 10 micrometers, inclusive.
 PARTICULATE MATTER PM10-2.5
Applicability and Definition (continued)
• For this reference method, PM10–2.5 concentrations shall be
measured as the arithmetic difference between separate but
concurrent, collocated measurements of PM10 and PM2.5, where
the PM10 measurements are obtained with a specially approved
sampler, identified as a ‘‘PM10c sampler,’’ that meets more
demanding performance requirements than conventional PM10
samplers. Measurements obtained with a PM10c sampler are
identified as ‘‘PM10c measurements’’ to distinguish them from
conventional PM10 measurements obtained with conventional
PM10 samplers. Thus, PM10–2.5 = PM10c ¥ PM2.5
 PARTICULATE MATTER PM10-2.5
Applicability and Definition
• The PM10c and PM2.5 gravimetric measurement processes
are considered to be nondestructive, and the PM10c and
PM2.5 samples obtained in the PM10–2.5 measurement
process can be subjected to subsequent physical or chemical
analyses.
• The PM10c measurements are adjusted to EPA reference
conditions (25 °C and 760 millimeters of mercury).
PARTICULATE MATTER PM10-2.5
Principle
 Separate, collocated, electrically powered air samplers for
PM10c and PM2.5 concurrently draw ambient air at identical,
constant volumetric flow rates into specially shaped inlets and
through one or more inertial particle size separators where the
suspended particulate matter in the PM10 or PM2.5 size
range, as applicable, is separated for collection on a
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter over the specified
sampling period.
 Each PM10c and PM2.5 sample collection filter is weighed
(after moisture and temperature conditioning) before and after
sample collection to determine the net weight (mass) gain due
to collected PM10c or PM2.5.
67
 PARTICULATE MATTER PM10-2.5
Principle (contd)
• The total volume of air sampled by each sampler is determined by
the sampler from the measured flow rate at local ambient
temperature and pressure and the sampling time.
• The mass concentrations of both PM10c and PM2.5 in the ambient
air are computed as the total mass of collected particles in the PM10
or PM2.5 size range, as appropriate, divided by the total volume of
air sampled by the respective samplers, and expressed in
micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3)at local temperature and
pressure conditions. The mass concentration of PM10–2.5 is
determined as the PM10 concentration value less the corresponding,
concurrently measured PM2.5 concentration value.