U.S. EPA
OFFICE OF AIR
QUALITY
PLANNING AND
STANDARDS
AIR QUALITY
ASSESSMENT
DIVISION
Special points of
interest:
• Modification of STN
carbon sampler con-
version
• Cyclone Cleaning
. New CSNvs IM-
PROVE Carbon data
comparison
Inside this issue:
New Speciation
Contract
awarded
Cleaning pro-
cedure for
URG3000N cy-
clones
New CSN car-
bon data com-
pared to IM-
PROVE in Bir-
mingham, AL
Changes in Au-
dit program
Upcoming 5
Training and
Conferences
AMTIC update 6
Contact Infor-
mation
PM2>5 Speciation
Network Newsletter
Issue 6
Summer 2009
Carbon Channel Conversion Update
In April 2005, the Clean Air Scientific Ad-
visory Committee, CASAC, provided rec-
ommendations to EPA for making
changes to the Chemical Speciation Net-
work, CSN, to improve data comparabil-
ity with the rural Interagency Monitoring
of Protected Visual Environments, IM-
PROVE, carbon concentration data. To
accomplish this, EPA decided to replace
the existing carbon channel sampling
and analysis methods with a new modi-
fied IMPROVE version II Module C sam-
pler, the URG3000N. The implementa-
tion process was broken into three
phases:
• Phase I, which consisted in 56 sites,
began in May 2007.
• Phase II, consisted of 63 sites, be-
gan in April 2009.
Phase I Sites
Phase II Sites
Phase III Site
• Phase III, 78 sites, is currently being
implemented and is scheduled to be-
gin October 2009.
This change in sampler technology and
the associated filter analysis technique
will provide the national consistency of
the CSN and IMPROVE networks of the
carbon concentration data that both EPA
and CASAC recommend.
More information or questions in regards
to this conversion, contact David Shelow
at Shelow.David@epa.gov or 919-541-
3776.
' l ~.
-1 • >•*•»«, c»y
-:' .1 .•....„ ••Mill.
EPA Region 1
EPA Region 2
EPA Region 3
EPA Region 4
EPA Region 5
EPA Region 6 ~
EPA Region 7 "
EPA Region 8
EPA Region 9
EPA Region 1O
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Page 2
PM2.s Speciation Network Newsletter
CSN Lab Analysis Contract awarded to RTI
Research Triangle Institute, RTI,
has been awarded the EPA speci-
ation contract lab for 2009-2014.
RTI handles the preparation, ship-
ment, analysis of samples, and
AQS reporting for all 52 STN sites
and most of the supplemental
SLAMS sites.
The notable changes with the new
contract are:
• Offer suite of analysis
(gravimetric, XRF, ions/IC) as
one line item.
• 33 elements analyze by
XRF.
• 14 elements by ICP/MS.
• Supporting only MetOne
SASS, MetOne SuperSASS,
and URG3000N samplers.
• Optical Density Analysis.
RTI ships about 20,000 samples
per year in support of the speci-
ation network. In order to con-
tinue to reduce the program's
shipping cost, RTI will maintain
the new cold shipping boxes. All
filter modules will be shipped to
the sites overnight using Fed
URG 3000N Cyclone Removal/Cleaning Procedure
It is recommended to periodically clean the
URG3000N cyclones to ensure optimum perform-
ance of your sampler. Depending on the quality of
air at your site location, the frequency of cleaning
may vary. We recommend cleaning at least once
semi-annually. The following instructions provide
guidance for cleaning.
Step 1: Raise top portion of CASSETTE MANI-
FOLD by pressing top red button on
electronics box and Remove sampling
cartridges.
Cassette
manifold
Cyclone
Knurl
thumbnuts
6 ' ^r
^^m* Electronics
v j box
Step 2: Loosen the ELECTRONICS BOX (knurl
thumbnuts); although removal of the
ELECTRONICS BOX is not necessary,
it will make removal of the CYCLONE
and bottom portion of CASSETTE
MANIFOLD assembly easier.
Step 3: Loosen the lock nut that connects the
CYCLONE to the INLET TEE (turn to-
wards the operator).
Step 4: Gently, but firmly, wiggle the CYCLONE
and CASSETTE MANIFOLD assembly,
angling the assembly such that the
CATCH CUP swings from left to right
and slowly remove the assembly.
Step 5: Remove the CATCH CUP and inspect
the interior. If the interior is not exces-
sively dirty, clean with distilled water
and a lint-free lab tissue. If heavy dirt is
present, use isopropyl alcohol as your
cleaning solution. If greasy/grimy resi-
due is present, it will be necessary to
clean the CATCH CUP with a sonicator.
(see picture on next page)
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Issue 5
PM2.s Speciation Network Newsletter
Cleaning of URG3000N Cyclone procedure (cont'd)
NOTE: If excessive greasy or grimy residue is evi-
dent in the CYCLONE, it will be necessary to not
only clean the CYCLONE, but also clean the CAS-
SETTE MANIFOLD. We recommend inspecting the
CASSETTE MANIFOLD annually. This will necessi-
tate removing the Allen bolts holding the CAS-
SETTE MANIFOLD together.
Step 6: Remove the two screws holding the CY-
CLONE to the CASSETTE MANIFOLD.
Photo of dirty cyclone from field instrument.
Step 8: Clean CYCLONE by wiping with distilled
water and lint free tissue If heavy dirt is pre
sent use isopropyl alcohol as your cleaning
solution. If greasy/grimy residue is present,
it will be necessary to clean the CYCLONE
with a sonicator.
Step 7: Gently separate the CYCLONE from the
CASSETTE MANIFOLD and inspect the
interior of the CYCLONE. Follow the
same cleaning procedure provided for
the CATCH CUP.
Step 9: Once CYCLONE and CATCH CUP are
cleaned, reassemble complete CYCLONE
and CASSETTE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY.
For more information or questions, contact Solomon
Ricks atricks.solomon@epa.gov or 919-541-5242.
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PM2.s Speciation Network Newsletter
Comparison of New CSN and IMPROVE Carbon Data in Birmingham
In May of 2007, OAQPS began Phase I of the car-
bon channel conversion project with the start of 56
sites (see page 1 of this newsletter). OAQPS
worked with the regions and several monitoring
agencies to successfully start Phase I. The primary
objective of the conversion project was to obtain
consistency between the carbon measurements
made by both the CSN and IMPROVE monitoring
networks. Now that Phase I sites have been operat-
ing for more than one year, it is a good time to begin
to assess whether the overall goal of consistency in
carbon measurements was met. There are 6 sites
with continued collocation of CSN and IMPROVE
carbon sampling and analysis methods. They are
Atlanta, Birmingham, Detroit, Fresno, New York,
and Pittsburgh. Of these 6 sites, only the Birming-
ham (site ID 01-073-0023) and New York (site ID
36-005-0110) CSN sites were converted in Phase I.
Changes were made to both the CSN sampling and
analysis methods. The CSN sampler (for carbon
only) was changed to the URG3000N which is very
similar to the IMPROVE module C sampler. The
URG3000N has active flow control and a flow rate
of ~22 Lpm versus 6.7 Lpm for the most predomi-
nant CSN sampler (MetOne SASS). The CSN
analysis method was changed from the NIOSH-like
thermal optical transmittance (TOT) method to IM-
PROVE_A thermal optical reflectance (TOR). In
addition to the sampling/analysis methods, the type
and frequency of quartz blank filters was changed.
For the URG3000N, the field blanks stay in the
sampler for the duration of sampling (without flow)
instead of being only momentarily exposed. Trip
blanks, which are "travel" blanks used to assess any
contamination during shipment, remained the same.
A new backup quartz filter is collected using the
URG3000N to help assess artifacts. The backup
quartz filter is placed behind the routine quartz sam-
pler filter. Five percent of the sampling events have
field blanks, 3% trip blanks, and 30% backup filters.
Data from the Birmingham site were analyzed to
assess comparability between CSN and IMPROVE
carbon measurements before and after changes to
the CSN sampling and analysis methods. Figure 1
shows the comparison between CSN and IM-
PROVE before the conversion in 2006. Data were
adjusted for artifacts using the average field and trip
blank value for the period. CSN (SASS) and IM-
PROVE OC and EC correlated well; however, IM-
PROVE EC was 30% higher than CSN EC and the
OC was 28% lower than CSN. Figure 2 shows the
comparison after the conversion. The average
backup quartz filter was used for artifact adjustment
in Figure 2. The new CSN (3000N) and IMPROVE
correlations were very good and the slopes were
very close to 1.00, indicating excellent agreement
between CSN and IMPROVE after the conversion
in Birmingham, AL. This shows that the goal of
comparability was met in Birmingham. Data from
New York, as well as the 4 other collocated CSN/
IMPROVE sites should be evaluated when those
data become available.
For more information, contact Joann Rice at
rice.joann@epa.gov or 919-541-3372
o
CSNd
with a
blank
- 1.0
- 0.0
«• 15
Figure '
Id CSN (SASS) and IMPROVE
Birmingham. AL (Jan 1 - Dec 81, 2008)
Collocated Old CSN TOT and IMPROVE_A TOR 2006
ata adjusted [ . c
uerage field/trip
value for period
8 ug/m3 OC
1 ug/m' EC
C • EC 1:1Lne|
.-- '
IMPROVE EC- 1-3094 CSN EC »0 0723
..--'"" . ^^^-^^ IMPflOVECC-a.71EeCSHOC*OJKfle
» - j^^V n-11S
J$&&^ '
5 it ID B ai
OMCmDT.mM
New CSN (3000N) and IMPROVE
Birmingham, AL (May 1 - Dec 31. 2007)
Collocated New CSN and IMPROVE_A TOR 2007
CSN 300ON data
adjusted with monthly
backup filter for period
D.33 to 0.67 ug/m3 OC
0.01 to 0.03 ug/m3 EC
IMPROVE EC-10029 CSN EC-0-M36
R*-0*11
IMP ROVE OC -0 997d CSN OC + 0 1106
Ft*-Q.3Q35
1*76
Figure 2
Ne* CSN URG TOR. LoJrix
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Page 5
PM2.s Speciation Network Newsletter
Upcoming Training and Conferences
The Ambient Air Monitoring Group (AAMG) and
ORIA are presenting Speciation/IMPROVE
Auditor's Training, August 24-27, 2009 in
RTP, NC.
The objectives are:
• Setup, calibration and programming of MetOne
SuperSASS and URG3000N samplers
• Train Trainers for Auditing at SLT monitoring
sites
• Technical Systems Audit (TSA) procedures
The workshop will be cover 3 and 1/2 days. To sign
up, contact Solomon Ricks at
ricks.solomon@epa.gov or 919-541-5242.
Or visit
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qanews.html
• SAVE THE DATE •
2009 National Ambient Air
Monitoring Conference
Gaylord Opryland Hotel
Nashville, Tennessee
November 2-5, 2009
EPA in conjunction with the National Asso-
ciation of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA) is
pleased to announce the 2009 National Am-
bient Air Monitoring Conference.
GET ESSENTIAL TRAINING ON AIR
MONITORING TOPICS!
Whether your previous air monitoring ex-
perience spans months, years, or decades,
this conference can provide you with the
skills to help prepare for the future chal-
lenges of air monitoring.
EPA's website (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/
amtic/naamc.html)
Changes in the Audit Program
A reporting mechanism for CSN audit reports has
been under construction for about two years and
we are close to "launch." We have developed a
site Technical Systems Audit (TSA) form, accom-
panied by a set of sampler performance verification
or audit worksheets for the MetOne SASS/
SuperSASS and the URG 3000N. Copies of the
newest version are available on AMTIC at http://
www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/specguid.html.
We expect SLTs to conduct TSAs of their CSN
sites annually, and we are working toward semi
annual sampler audits. (Quarterly audits will also
be accepted). Monthly performance verifications by
site operators should continue. We have incorpo-
rated a procedure to post monthly sampler per-
formance verifications, so that if a critical flow fail-
ure is identified in a semi annual audit, the
monitoring agency can identify the last date on which
the sampler was known to be operating satisfactorily.
Upon completion, the TSA form and the worksheets will
be sent electronically by the operators and auditors to
a website managed by RTI. RTI will pull flow rate verifi-
cations and audit values out of the electronic reports
and post that data as accuracy records into AQS. We
are working on a data base to store all the TSA and
sampler audit data. AAMG will conduct a series of
conference calls to roll out the program in September
and October of this year.
For more information or questions, contact Dennis
Grumpier at crumpler.dennis@epa.gov or
919-541-0871.
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U.S. EPA
OFFICE OF AIR
QUALITY PLANNING
AND STANDARDS
AIR QUALITY
ASSESSMENT DIVISION
Ambient Air
Monitoring Group
U.S. EPA, OAQPS
Mail Drop C304-06
Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina 27711
The Newsletter is posted at
www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/
speciepg.html
\
-
/
Surf AMTIC for Updates ....http://www.epa.gov/ttnamtil/speciepg.html
• The latest SOP for the URG3000N
version 5.6
• Annual QA Data Summary reports
from RTI
• Lab QAPP from RTI
• Coming soon...Field QAPP for
Speciation
• Up-to-date Speciation list of Trend
sites
• 2009 and 2010 Sampling schedules
PM2.5 Speciation Program Contacts
OAQPS welcomes the new CSN Speci-
ation Program Lead, Dave Shelow to the
Ambient Air Monitoring Group. Dave
comes to us from Pennsylvania State
University and Restek Corporation. He is
also Program lead for NCore Network
and Ozone NAAQS.
Program Lead: David Shelow; 919-541-3776; shelow.david@epa.gov
QA Coordinator: Dennis Grumpier; 919-541-0871; crumpler.dennis@epa.gov
RTI Contract Manager: David Shelow; 919-541-3776;
shelow. da vid@epa.gov
Delivery Order Project Officers (DOPOs):
Regions 1, 2, 3, 4 — Greg Noah; 706-355-8635;
noah.greg@epa.gov
Regions 5, 6, 7 — Patricia Schraufnagel; 312-886-5955;
schraufnagel.patricia@epa.gov
Regions 8, 9, 10 — Michael Copeland; 303-312-6010;
copeland.michael@epa.gov
Data Analysis Contact: Neil Frank; 919-541-5560; frank.neil@epa.gov
AAMG Group Leader: Lew Weinstock; 919-541-3661;
weinstock. lewis@epa.go v
IMPROVE Steering Committee Chair: Marc Pitchford; 702-862-5432;
pitchford. marc@epa.gov
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