1. Particulate Matter Monitoring Exercise: Laboratory & Field Methods Lydia Scheer ITEP

2. Exercise Objectives  Identify basic components of particulate sampling activities  Handle sensitive filters appropriately  Follow laboratory weighing procedures  Track detailed information using appropriate forms  Calculate particulate concentration from example exercise 2

3. Overview  Day 1: introduction/overview  Day 2: start filter equilibration  Day 3: pre-weigh filters & start samplers to run 24 hours  Day 4: collect filters and conduct final equilibration  Day 5: post-weigh filters and calculate PM concentration 3

4. 4 Filter-Handling  Filters are very sensitive  Ambient moisture absorption  Touching with bare hands  Improper handling with utensils (tear easily)  Improper conditioning  Static electricity  Volatilization of aerosol particles  Wear gloves & pay attention to cross-contamination  “Hot Hands”  Store/transport in appropriate container & static- free plastic bags  Keep at recommended temps when transporting

5. Equilibration  Filters are conditioned for a minimum of 24 hours prior to and following exposure  Stabilize in drying chamber at room temperature  Set individual filters in glass, plastic, or metal dish  Important to ensure filters do not retain ambient moisture  Skews pre and post-weight of filter  Note equilibration start and end times on field data sheet 5

6. Filter QC  Field blanks, trip blanks and lab blanks, Oh My!  Blanks are one type of QC measure to ensure proper handling of filters at each step of process  Lab blanks: used only in lab for lab actions  Trip blanks: used only in transport of filter  Field blanks: used only in field operations for filter handling procedures  We will only use field blanks for this activity  Field blank goes through exact same procedures as sample run filter except turning on the sampler  Acceptance criteria is +/- 30µg 6

7. Gravimetric Procedures  For example exercise  Weigh filters on sensitive microbalance  Accurate to 0.0001 grams (g)  Tare balance to zero out  Handle filter only with gloved hands & forceps  Real lab environment  Climate controlled (temperature and humidity) clean room  Anti-static equipment  Computerized weighing for QC  Lab has stand-alone QAPP for procedures 7

8. TAMS Gravimetric Lab 8

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10. Documentation  Field Data Sheet or Logbook  Tracks information related to field monitoring activities  Filter and sampler information  Monitor readings  Weather, other external observations  Chain of Custody  Tracks information related to all aspects of filter “life”  Shipment to/from laboratory  Field activities & monitor readings  Always write in permanent ink! 10