An air sampling program sampled 100,000 L of air for particles. The following ma

Question

An air sampling program sampled 100,000 L of air for particles. The following mass of particles collected for particle size fraction analysis:

- 5 mg retained with particle size < 2.5 micrometer

- 9 mg retained with particle size > 2.5 micrometer and < 10 micrometer

- 12 mg retained with particle size > 10 micrometer

(a) What is the PM2.5 concentration of this sample (in units of microgram/m3)?

(b) What is the total suspended particulate concentration of this sample (in units of microgram/m3)?

(c) Is the air sample collected from a relatively polluted or clean area?

Explanation / Answer

a) 5 mg retained with particle size < 2.5 micrometer

so PM2.5 concentration of this sample = 5 mg/total volume

                                                       = 5 mg/ 100,000 L

                                                       = 5 * 1000 micro grams /(100,000* 0.001 m^3)

                                                      = 50 micro grams/m^3

b) Mass of total suspended particulates = (5+9+12) mg = 26 mg

Total suspended particulate concentration of this sample = 26 mg / 100,000 L

                                                                                  = 26 * 1000 micro grams/(100,000* 0.001 m^3)

                                                                                   = 260 micro grams/m^3

c) 260 micro grams/m^3 is a high concentration of particulate matter.

So the air sample is collected from a relatively polluted area.

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