Quality-assurance/quality-control issues in open-path FTIR monitoring

Although much effort has been directed toward developing quality assurance/quality control procedures in open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP/FTIR) monitoring, many issues remain unresolved. Despite efforts in this area, there are still no universally accepted procedures for determining the accuracy and precision of OP/FTIR data. When the concentrations of atmospheric species are measured over a long, open path, several factors can influence accuracy and precision. In addition, broader issues, such as setting or determining data quality objectives for various types of programs, have not been discussed at all. Some aspects of these topics are presented in this paper.