Thermal-Optical Analysis for Organic, Elemental, Carbonate, and Total Carbon in PM_(2.5)

摘要

Thermal-optical transmittance (TOT) analysis by NIOSH 5040, an evolved gas analysis method developed by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for measurement of organic (OC), elemental (EC), carbonate (CC), and total carbon (TC) in the chemical speciation of PM_(2.5). Research Triangle Institute provides TOT analysis services for carbon species in PM_(2.5) collected on quartz fiber filters as part of several Federal and State ambient air monitoring programs and as part of human exposure studies conducted in indoor and workplace environments. This paper presents an overview of TOT and NIOSH 5040, some observations about carbon analysis results from the first few months of the PM_(2.5) chemical speciation program, and some lessons learned in the operation of TOT analyzers.