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PM: RESEARCH METHODS FOR PM TOXIC COMPOUNDS - PARTICLE METHODS EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT

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http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_comments.cfm

Impact/Purpose:

Develop and evaluate methods for the sampling and analysis of PM in ambient air, with emphasis on FRM/FEM for PMc, measurement of carbonaceous aerosols, measurement of biogenic aerosols, comparisons measurements from the STN and IMPROVE monitoring networks, and continuous methods for PM mass and its chemical components.

Description:

The Federal Reference Method (FRM) for Particulate Matter (PM) developed by EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) forms the backbone of the EPA's national monitoring strategy. It is the measurement that defines attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM. However, the agency has numerous other needs in assessing the physical and chemical characteristics of ambient air fine (< 2.5�m diameter) and coarse (2.5 - 10�m diameter) particles, especially as OAQPS initiates a new National Monitoring Strategy over the next few years. Towards that end, NERL is initiating several methods development and evaluation efforts. Data generated by these new or improved methods will be used to establish the relationship of ambient aerosols to sources and to human exposure, to better understand the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols and their spatial and temporal trends, and to provide near real-time data for use in preparing pollution reports and forecasts for the public. Subtasks will implement the research proposed.

The following areas are designated as having the highest priority for work through FY2005:

Coarse PM (PMc) methods evaluation for FRM and Federal Equivalent Methods (FEM);

Methods for organic speciation;

Organic Carbon/Elemental Carbon (OC/EC) analysis by thermal-optical methods;

Speciation Trends Network (STN) and IMPROVE Network comparison studies;

Continuous methods for PM mass and chemical components.

This strategy complements work being done under the Supersites Program (e.g., continuous methods have a lower priority than organic methods since considerable effort is being made on evaluating continuous methods in the Supersites Program) and EPA's PM Implementation Request for Assistance (RFA).

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT
Start Date:10/01/2001
Projected Completion Date:09/01/2005
Record ID: 56079