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Title: INHERENT BIASES OF PM10 AND PM2.5 SAMPLERS BASED ON THE INTERACTION OF PARTICLE SIZE AND SAMPLER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

Author
item Buser, Michael
item PARNELL, CALVIN - TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY
item LACEY, RONALD - TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY
item SHAW, BRYAN - TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY
item AUVERMANN, BRENT - TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Society of Agricultural Engineers Meetings Papers
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2001
Publication Date: 9/12/2001
Citation: Buser, M.D., Parnell, C.B., Lacey, R.E., Shaw, B.W., Auvermann, B.W. 2001. Inherent biases of pm10 and pm2.5 samplers based on the interaction of particle size and sampler performance characteristics. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Meetings Papers. Paper No. 01-1167. p. 1-25.

Interpretive Summary: Agricultural operations are encountering difficulties complying with the current air pollution regulations for particulate matter (PM). The regulations are based on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which set maximum limits for the PM that can be emitted by a source based on protecting public health. PM is currently regulated in terms of particle diameters less than or equal to a nominal 10 um (PM10); however, current legislation is underway to also regulate PM with a diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 um (PM2.5). To put these particle diameters in perspective, the average diameter of the human hair is 75 um. Compliance with the PM NAAQS is determined by property line sampling or dispersion modeling. Modeling requires emission rates, which are determined from EPA's list of emission factors. Emission factors are industry specific. All property line sampling for compliance purposes require the use of EPA approved samplers. Ultimately, these samplers would produce an accurate measure of the pollutant indicator; for instance, a PM10 sampler would produce an accurate measure of PM less than or equal to 10 um. However, samplers are not perfect and biases are introduced due to the interaction of the particle size and sampler performance characteristics. Theoretical simulation demonstrates how these biases result in unequal regulation between industries, and creates undue burdens on agricultural operations. In order to achieve equal regulation among all industries, PM10 and PM2.5 measurements must account for these biases. Adoption of the findings in this report will provide a means to more equitably assess the contributions of various sources to air quality.

Technical Abstract: Agricultural operations across the United States are encountering difficulties in complying with the current air pollution regulations for particulate matter. EPA has interpreted that the property line concentration limit must be less than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). For PM10 and PM2.5, the 24-hour NAAQS are 150 and 65 mg/m cubed, respectively. Compliance with the PM NAAQS is determined by property line sampling, using EPA approved samplers, or dispersion modeling. Ultimately, these samplers would produce an accurate measure of the pollutant indicator for instance, a PM10 sampler would produce an accurate measure of PM less than or equal to 10mm. However, samplers are not perfect and biases are introduced due to the interaction of the particle size and sampler performance characteristics. The focus of this manuscript is to theoretically simulate these biases and demonstrate how these biases result in unequal regulation between industries.