Sf. Heller-zeisler et al., Collection and characterization of a bulk PM2.5 air particulate matter material for use in reference materials, BIOL TR EL, 71-2, 1999, pp. 195-202
A contemporary PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 mu m aerodynamic
diameter) aerosol material from an urban site has been collected for the pr
oduction of a new standard reference material that will be made available f
or the development of new PM2.5 air quality standards. Air particulate matt
er corresponding to the PM2.5 fraction was collected at an established Envi
ronmental Protection Agency monitoring site in Baltimore, Maryland. The air
-sampling system that has been constructed for this collection separates fi
ne particles with a cyclone separator and deposits them onto an array of Te
flon membrane filters. The fine air particulate material is removed by ultr
asonication or by mechanical means and collected for further preparation of
standards. The composition of the collected PM2.5 aerosol, as well as the
composition of the deposited PM2.5 aerosol, are determined by instrumental
nuclear activation analysis and other techniques.