Evaluation and Comparison of Continuous Fine Particulate Matter Monitors for Measurement of Ambient Aerosols

Abstract To provide a scientific basis for the selection and use of continuous monitors for exposure and/or health effects studies, and for compliance and episode measurements at strategic locations in the State of New Jersey, we evaluated the performance of seven continuous fine particulate matter (PM2.5) monitors in the present study. Gravimetric samplers, as reference methods, were collocated with real-time instruments in both laboratory and field tests. The results of intercomparison of real-time monitors showed that the two nephelometers used in this study correlated extremely well (r2 ∼0.97), and two tapered element oscillating monitors (TEOM 1400 and TEOM filter dynamics measurement system [FDMS]) correlated well (r2> 0.85), whereas two beta gauges displayed a weaker correlation (r2 < 0.6). During a summertime controlled (laboratory) evaluation, the measurements made with the gravimetric method correlated well with the 24-hr integrated measurements made with the real-time monitors. The SidePak nephelometer overestimated the particle concentration by a factor of approximately 3.4 compared with the gravi-metric method. During a summertime field evaluation, the TEOM FDMS monitor reported approximately 30% higher mass concentration than the Federal Reference Method (FRM); and the difference could be explained by the loss of semi-volatile materials from the FRM sampler. Results also demonstrated that 24-hr average PM2.5 mass concentrations measured by beta gauges and TEOM (50 °C) in winter correlated well with the integrated gravi-metric method. Seasonal differences were observed in the performance of the TEOM (50 °C) monitor in measuring the particle mass attributed to the higher semi-volatile material loss in the winter weather. In applying the real-time particulate matter monitoring data into Air Quality Index (AQI) reporting, the Conroy method and the 8-hr end-hour average method were both found to be suitable.

[1]  J Schwartz,et al.  Ambient pollution and heart rate variability. , 2000, Circulation.

[2]  D. Dockery,et al.  Acute respiratory effects of particulate air pollution. , 1994, Annual review of public health.

[3]  P. Scheff,et al.  Adjusting Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance Data for Comparison with Federal Reference Method PM2.5 Measurements in Region 5 , 2003, Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association.

[4]  W. John,et al.  Modes in the size distributions of atmospheric inorganic aerosol , 1990 .

[5]  C. Sioutas,et al.  Field Evaluation of the Differential TEOM Monitor for Continuous PM2.5 Mass Concentrations Special Issue of Aerosol Science and Technology on Findings from the Fine Particulate Matter Supersites Program , 2004 .

[6]  P. Hopke,et al.  Evaluation of Continuous and Filter-Based Methods for Measuring PM2.5 Mass Concentration , 2005 .

[7]  T. Bateson,et al.  Who is Sensitive to the Effects of Particulate Air Pollution on Mortality?: A Case-Crossover Analysis of Effect Modifiers , 2004, Epidemiology.

[8]  J. Schwartz,et al.  Heart rate variability associated with particulate air pollution. , 1999, American heart journal.

[9]  J. Seinfeld,et al.  Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change , 1997 .

[10]  D. Dockery,et al.  Increased Particulate Air Pollution and the Triggering of Myocardial Infarction , 2001, Circulation.

[11]  J. Schwartz,et al.  Air pollution and daily mortality: a review and meta analysis. , 1994, Environmental research.

[12]  W. Cascio,et al.  Elderly humans exposed to concentrated air pollution particles have decreased heart rate variability , 2003, European Respiratory Journal.

[13]  William B Bunn,et al.  What is new in diesel , 2002, International archives of occupational and environmental health.

[14]  U. Epa.  Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter , 1996 .

[15]  F. Lurmann,et al.  Evaluation of the TEOM method for measurement of ambient particulate mass in urban areas. , 1997, Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association.

[16]  J C Chow,et al.  Measurement methods to determine compliance with ambient air quality standards for suspended particles. , 1995, Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association.