Air Quality Management and Pollution Measurement Techniques

Airshed

Region with similar climate affecting pollutant diffusion.

Primary Pollutants

Directly emitted pollutants from sources like vehicles.

Carbon Monoxide

Colorless gas from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds contributing to air pollution and smog.

Nitrogen Oxides

Gases formed from combustion, contributing to smog.

Airborne Lead

Toxic metal from industrial processes and vehicle emissions.

Particulate Matter

Mixture of solid and liquid particles in the air.

Sulfur Oxides

Gases from burning fossil fuels, causing acid rain.

Chlorofluorocarbons

Chemical compounds harmful to the ozone layer.

Mercury

Toxic heavy metal released from industrial activities.

Secondary Pollutants

Pollutants formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

Acid Droplets

Liquid particles containing sulfuric and nitric acids.

Photochemical Oxidants

Pollutants like ozone formed by sunlight-driven reactions.

Total Suspended Solids (TSP)

Measure of all particles suspended in air.

Particulate Matter 10 (PM10)

Particles with diameter less than 10 micrometers.

High-Volume Sampler

Instrument for collecting air samples over time.

Gravimetric Method

Technique for measuring mass of collected air samples.

Volumetric-Filtration

Method sampling air through a filter at known flow.

Sampling Frequency Guidelines

24 hours at least a week, making 104 samples a year

Sampling Location Guidelines

Recommendations for optimal placement of sampling equipment.

Flow Rate

Volume of air sampled per unit time, measured in liters.

Total Volume of Air Sampled (TVA)

Total air volume collected during sampling period.

SPM Concentration Formula

Calculates SPM in μg/m³ using mass difference.

Total Suspended Particulates (TSP)

Refers to all airborne particles captured in air.

Air Quality Levels

Categorizes air quality based on particulate matter.

Good Air Quality

0 - 80 μg/m³; no health concerns.

Fair Air Quality

81 - 230 μg/m³; minor health concerns possible.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

231 - 349 μg/m³; sensitive individuals should limit exposure.

Very Unhealthy Air Quality

350 - 599 μg/m³; vulnerable groups should stay indoors.

Acutely Unhealthy Air Quality

600 - 899 μg/m³; outdoor exertion should be limited.

Emergency Air Quality Level

900 μg/m³ and above; everyone should stay indoors.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Colorless gas detectable by taste/smell, 1,000-3,000 μg/m³.

SO2 Source

Primarily from fossil fuel combustion.

Sulfate Aerosols Formation

Occurs when SO2 reacts with atmospheric substances.

Gas Bubbler

Instrument for sampling gases, especially SO2.

Pararosaniline Method

Laboratory method for analyzing sulfur dioxide.

Sampling Location Guidelines

3 to 10 m above ground, away from disturbances.

Sampling Frequency Guidelines

At least twice a week, totaling 104 samples/year.

Absorbing Reagents Preparation

Mix mercuric chloride and sodium chloride in water.

Sampling Train Setup

Connect gas bubblers securely to the sampling system.

Flow Rate Adjustment

Set to 2 liters/min during sampling.

Calibration Curve

Standard solution of SO2 for absorbance measurement.

Spectrophotometer Use

Measures absorbance at 540 nm for SO2 analysis.

Absorbance

Measurement of light absorbed by a sample.

Calibration Curve

Graph relating absorbance to concentration.

Concentration

Amount of substance per volume, measured in μg.

Flow Rate

Volume of air sampled per time unit.

Total Volume of Air Sampled (TVA)

Calculated using flow rate and time.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Toxic gas from fossil fuel combustion.

Good Air Quality

SO2 levels between 0.000 and 0.034 ppm.

Fair Air Quality

SO2 levels between 0.035 and 0.144 ppm.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

SO2 levels between 0.145 and 0.224 ppm.

Very Unhealthy

SO2 levels between 0.225 and 0.304 ppm.

Acutely Unhealthy

SO2 levels between 0.305 and 0.604 ppm.

Emergency Air Quality

SO2 levels between 0.605 and 0.804 ppm.

Gas Bubbler

Instrument for sampling gas concentrations.

Griess-Saltzman Method

Chemical analysis method for nitrogen dioxide.

Chemiluminescence Method

Technique for measuring gas concentrations using light.

Sodium Hydroxide

Base used in absorbing reagent preparation.

Sodium Arsenite

Chemical used in gas absorption analysis.

Sampling Frequency

Minimum of 104 samples annually recommended.

Sampling Location Guidelines

Positioned 3 to 10 m above ground level.

Absorbing Reagent Preparation

Mix sodium hydroxide and sodium arsenite in water.

Flow Rate Adjustment

Set to 0.2 liters per minute for sampling.

Interference Elimination

Use hydrogen peroxide to convert SO2 to sulfate.

Sampling Train

Transport device for environmental samples safely.

Controlled Conditions

Stable environment for preserving sample integrity.

Calibration Curve

Graph showing absorbance versus concentration relationship.

Standard Solution

Known concentration used for calibration in experiments.

Absorbing Reagent

Chemical added to samples to facilitate measurement.

Pararosaniline Method

Method of analysis for sulfur dioxide parameter

Spectrophotometer

Instrument measuring light absorbance at specific wavelength.

Absorbance Measurement

Quantifying light absorption by a sample solution.

Concentration Determination

Finding substance amount using calibration curve data.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Pollutant affecting respiratory health and air quality.

Air Quality Levels

Categories indicating pollution impact on health.

Good Air Quality

No harmful pollutants detected in the air.

Fair Air Quality

Acceptable pollution levels; minimal health concerns.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

Risk for individuals with respiratory conditions.

Very Unhealthy

Significant health risks; limit outdoor activities.

Acutely Unhealthy

High pollution; strict outdoor activity restrictions.

Emergency Air Quality

Severe pollution; everyone should stay indoors.

Secondary Pollutant

Pollutant formed by reactions in the atmosphere.

Ozone (O3)

Common secondary pollutant; harmful to lungs.

Chemiluminescence Method

Technique for measuring ozone concentration in air.

Neutral Buffer Potassium Iodide

Chemical solution used for ozone detection.

Sampling Frequency

Collecting samples at least twice a week.

Wetted Wall Absorber

Device for scrubbing air samples with liquid.

Sodium Thiosulphate

Used for titration in solution analysis.

End Point

Established by comparison with the blue starch-iodine solution

Ozone Mixture Preparation

Combines ozone and air in a polyester bag.

Ozone Decomposition

Gradual breakdown necessitates immediate analysis.

Impinging Method

Analyzes ozone by passing through buffered KI solution.

Spectrometer Method

Determines iodine release during analysis.

Sample Flow Rate

Set at 4 ml/min for solution.

Air Flow Rate

Set at 4 l/min for air.

Calibration Curve

Graph of absorbance versus concentration.

pH Adjustment

Weekly adjustment of solution pH required.

Carbon Filter Change

Replace monthly to maintain air quality.

Ozone Levels

Measured in parts per million (ppm).