National Pm2 5 Speciation Program Overview Objectives Requirements and Approach


National PM2 5 Speciation Program

Overview, Objectives, Requirements, and Approach

Chemical speciation is included in the discussion of major monitoring requirements
and principles set forth in 40 CFR Part 58, Ambient Air Quality Surveillance for Particulate
Matter; Final Rule. A requirement of this rule is a modest chemical speciation network of
fifty PM2 5 sites across the nation that provide a first order characterization of the metals, ions,
and carbon constituents of PM2 5. In addition to development of network design and
implementation, it is important to establish an analytical laboratory framework to consistently
support the speciation monitoring network needs.

Physical and chemical speciation data can be used to support several areas which
include:

•	Helping to implement the PM2 5 standard by using speciated data as input to air quality
modeling analyses and as indicators to track progress of controls;

•	Aiding the interpretation of health studies by linking effects to PM2 5 constituents;

•	Understanding the effects of atmospheric constituents on visibility impairment; and

•	Using the speciated particulate data to aid in monitoring network design and siting
adjustment.

The 40 CFR Part 58 rule describes the initial speciation monitoring network as
including fifty core sites within the National Air Monitoring System (NAMS). Twenty-five of
the monitors are to be collocated as part of the Photochemical Air Monitoring System
(PAMS) component of NAMS, with the remaining twenty-five sites to be selected in
coordination among the EPA, Regional Office Administrators and the States. This required
network represents a small fraction of all the chemical speciation work that EPA expects to
support. Therefore, analytical support services are being planned for an additional 250 sites.
Samples will be collected every six and twelve days, respectively, for the NAMS and other
site monitors. The analytes of interest from these samples will be similar to those currently
measured within the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE)
program.

The approach to be used for chemical speciation involves both sampling and analysis
components. The single channel, 47-mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter, Federal
Reference Method Monitor is not capable of completely supporting a comprehensive set of
analyses required to characterize the components of a PM25 sample. Since the 40 CFR Part
53, Revised Requirements for Designation of Reference and Equivalent Methods for PM25
equivalency requirements provide that no designations are required for speciation monitors,
their design can be flexible to include additional filter collection media best-suited for the
analysis of specific components. With the prospects of ensuring data quality for several
thousand filter analyses per year which utilize a range of analytical methods, it is critical to
establish an analytical laboratory framework which can consistently support these needs. One
key point is to establish a common set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all
speciation analyses. The SOPS must be based on analytical methods with proven application
to the analysis of ambient particulate matter filter samples.

-------
The chemical analysis of PM2 5 involves many considerations including the:

•	target analytes of interest;

•	sample handling;

•	analytical SOPs;

•	quality assurance; and

•	data reduction, reporting, validation, and ensuring adequate laboratory capacity to
support the analysis of several thousand samples annually.

The PM25 target analytes are similar to those within the IMPROVE program and
consist of an array of cations, anions, carbon species, trace elements, and semi-volatile
organic particles. Each series of analytes requires sample collection on the appropriate filter
medium to allow chemical analysis with methods of adequate sensitivity.

The methods used for analyses of these filter media include gravimetry
(electro-microbalance) for mass; X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and particle induced X-ray
emission (PIXE) for trace elements; ion chromatography (IC) for anions and selected cations;
controlled-combustion for carbon; and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) for
semi-volatile organic particles. In addition to chemical analyses, special measurement needs
may include determining particle size and morphology through optical and/or electron
microscopy.

Although the speciation monitor designs will vary, all will involve the collection of
multiple filter sample sets. Guidance and procedures will be provided to site operators on
pre- and post-sampling filter use, handling, transport and storage.

In addition to guidance on sampling and handling, the EPA will also develop guidance
and documentation for SOPs on the measurement of the target analytes which will include
laboratory quality assurance guidelines specific to the methods of analysis; and guidelines on
standardized data reduction, validation, and reporting formats. The EPA plans for the
speciation data to be submitted to the Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS) data
base.

The EPA's approach to providing the speciation laboratory support services will begin
with developing the laboratory specifications, analytical standard operating procedures, and
associated quality assurance requirements. These guidelines will be utilized through a
national laboratory services support program consisting of contracted services with qualified
laboratories. Speciation site operators will be able to access analytical support from these
laboratories through EPA Regional Project Officers who will service site needs in those states
residing in their Regions.

The operational schedule for providing the speciation laboratory support services
begins with development of a program team of EMAD and EPA regional office personnel.
The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) will lead the development of the
required guidance information and the SOPs with input from the Office of Research and
Development (ORD), EPA Regional Offices, and the PM25 monitoring technical community.
Initial deployment of the speciation monitors is projected for the fourth quarter of calendar

-------
1998. Allowing for time by site operators to be trained in the use of the monitors, we project
that the laboratory portion of the National PM25 Speciation Program will be in place by
February of 1999.

For further information on the National PM25 Speciation Laboratory Program or to
provide comments on your anticipated services needs, please contact:

Jim Homolya at 919-541-4039 (homolya.james@epamail.epa.gov) or
Rich Scheffe at 919-541-4650 (scheffe.rich@epamail.epa.gov)

-------