AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING STUDY IN THE LOWER RIO-GRANDE VALLEY OF TEXAS .1. COMPARATIVE-ASSESSMENT OF AIR SAMPLING METHODS

The atmospheric monitoring component of the 1993 Lower Rio Grande Vall ey Environmental Scoping Study measured a wide range of pollutant spec ies from different sampling and analysis methods. Extensive QA/QC acti vities were also conducted on the sampling and analysis techniques, Th is enabled a unique comparison of these methods to provide insights in to air sampling for larger, long-term exposure monitoring studies. Pol lutants monitored were particulate mass and elements, acidic gases, vo latile organic compounds, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocar bons. This included collocated monitoring devices which monitored same -species pollutants, Sample collection efficiencies of certain atmosph eric pollutants are discussed. Finally, data from two sites located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley are also presented and compared. Publishe d by Elsevier Science Ltd.