GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
Air Protection Branch Ambient Monitoring Program
2010 Ambient Air Surveillance Report
This document is published annually by the Ambient Monitoring Program, in the Air Protection Branch of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division.
Date of Initial Publication November 1, 2011
DISCLAIMER: Any reference to specific brand names is not an endorsement of that brand by Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................i LIST OF FIGURES.............................................................................................................................. iii LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... vi GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................................... viii INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................. 1 CHEMICAL MONITORING ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................. 2
CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ......................................................................................... 7 OXIDES OF NITROGEN (NO, NO2, NOx and NOy) .................................................... 11 SULFUR DIOXIDE (SO2) ........................................................................................... 17 OZONE (O3) ............................................................................................................... 23 LEAD (Pb) .................................................................................................................. 34 PARTICULATE MATTER ........................................................................................... 38 PM10 ........................................................................................................................... 39 PM2.5 .......................................................................................................................... 45 PM2.5 SPECIATION .................................................................................................... 57 ACID PRECIPITATION .............................................................................................. 63 PHOTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT MONITORING STATIONS (PAMS) .......................................... 65 CARBONYL COMPOUNDS ....................................................................................... 71 AIR TOXICS MONITORING .............................................................................................................. 78 METALS..................................................................................................................... 80 HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM (Cr6) .............................................................................. 86 VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (TO-14/15) ...................................................... 87 SEMI-VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS .............................................................. 91 METEOROLOGICAL REPORT ......................................................................................................... 98 STATE CLIMATOLOGY AND METEOROLOGICAL SUMMARY OF 2010................. 98 SUMMARY OF METEOROLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS FOR 2010....................... 100 OZONE AND PM2.5 FORECASTING AND DATA ANALYSIS ................................... 103 BRIEF CLIMATOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF 2000 VS. 2010 OZONE SEASONS 107 QUALITY ASSURANCE.................................................................................................................. 115 QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT .............................................. 116 GASEOUS POLLUTANTS ....................................................................................... 117 PARTICULATE MATTER ......................................................................................... 120 AIR TOXICS............................................................................................................. 125 NATTS ..................................................................................................................... 126 PHOTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT MONITORING ................................................. 129 METEOROLOGY ..................................................................................................... 133 QUALITY CONTROL REPORTS ............................................................................. 134 STANDARDS LABORATORY .................................................................................. 134 LABORATORY AND FIELD STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE.................... 134 SITING EVALUATIONS ........................................................................................... 134 RISK ASSESSMENT ...................................................................................................................... 136 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 136 RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION ........................................................................ 136 SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION ............................................................................... 145 OUTREACH AND EDUCATION...................................................................................................... 151 MEDIA OUTREACH................................................................................................. 155 OTHER OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES.................................................................. 155 Appendix A: Additional Criteria Pollutant Data ................................................................................. 158 Carbon Monoxide (CO) ............................................................................................ 158 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)............................................................................................. 158 Nitric Oxide (NO) ...................................................................................................... 158 Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) ......................................................................................... 159 Reactive Oxides of Nitrogen (NOy) .......................................................................... 159
i
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) ................................................................................................. 160 Ozone (O3) ............................................................................................................... 161 Lead (Pb) ................................................................................................................. 163 Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) ................................................................................. 164 Appendix B: Additional PM2.5 Particle Speciation Data .................................................................... 169 Appendix C: Additional PAMS Data................................................................................................. 174 PAMS Continuous Hydrocarbon Data (June-August 2010) ...................................... 174 PAMS 2010 24-hour Canister Hydrocarbons............................................................ 178 Appendix D: Additional Toxics Data ................................................................................................ 182 2010 Metals ............................................................................................................. 182 2010 Semi-Volatile Compounds ............................................................................... 184 2010 Volatile Organic Compounds ........................................................................... 187 2010 Black Carbon (NATTS) .................................................................................... 193 2010 Carbonyl Compounds, 3-hour (June-August) .................................................. 194 2010 Carbonyl Compounds, 24-hour........................................................................ 195 Appendix E: Monitoring Network Survey ......................................................................................... 196 Appendix F: Siting Criteria ............................................................................................................... 201 Appendix G: Instrument and Sensor Control Limits ......................................................................... 203 References...................................................................................................................................... 204
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Georgia Air Monitoring Site Map........................................................................................... 6 Figure 2: Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in Georgia in 2008.......................................... 7 Figure 3: Carbon Monoxide (CO) Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View .................................... 8 Figure 4: Carbon Monoxide Site Monitoring Map............................................................................... 10 Figure 5: Typical Diurnal Pattern of Nitrogen Dioxide ........................................................................ 11 Figure 6: Common Sources of Nitrogen Oxides in Georgia in 2008................................................... 12 Figure 7: Nitrogen Oxides Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View ............................................. 13 Figure 8: Nitrogen Dioxide 1-Hour Design Values, 2000-2010 .......................................................... 14 Figure 9: Oxides of Nitrogen Monitoring Site Map ............................................................................. 16 Figure 10: Common Sources of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) in Georgia in 2008 .......................................... 17 Figure 11: Sulfur Dioxide Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View............................................... 18 Figure 12: SO2 99th% of 1-Hour Maximum Daily Averages, 2000-2010 ............................................. 19 Figure 13: SO2 1-Hour Design Values, 2000-2010 ............................................................................ 20 Figure 14: Sulfur Dioxide Monitoring Site Map................................................................................... 22 Figure 15: Typical Urban 1-Hour Ozone Diurnal Pattern.................................................................... 23 Figure 16: Common Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Georgia in 2008 ................ 24 Figure 17: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View ........... 24 Figure 18: Demonstration of Ozone Formation .................................................................................. 25 Figure 19: Ozone Formation Process ................................................................................................ 25 Figure 20: Ozone Monitoring Site Map .............................................................................................. 27 Figure 21: Georgias 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area Map........................................................... 30 Figure 22: Metro Atlanta Ozone- Number of Violation Days per Year ................................................ 31 Figure 23: Metro Atlanta Ozone Exceedance Map ............................................................................ 32 Figure 24: Ozone Concentrations in ppm, 2008 (Fourth Highest Daily Maximum 8-Hour
Concentrations) .......................................................................................................................... 33 Figure 25: Common Sources of Lead in Georgia in 2008 .................................................................. 34 Figure 26: Lead Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View............................................................. 35 Figure 27: Lead Monitoring Site Map................................................................................................. 37 Figure 28: Analogy of Particulate Matter Size to Human Hair ............................................................ 38 Figure 29: PM10 Monitoring Site Map ................................................................................................. 40 Figure 30: PM10 Annual Arithmetic Mean Chart ................................................................................. 42 Figure 31: Second Highest 24-Hour PM10 Concentration................................................................... 44 Figure 32: Common Sources of Particulate Matter 2.5 in 2008.......................................................... 45 Figure 33: Particulate Matter 2.5 Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View ................................... 46 Figure 34: PM2.5 Federal Reference Method Monitoring Site Map...................................................... 48 Figure 35: PM2.5 Continuous and Speciation Monitoring Site Map ..................................................... 49 Figure 36: PM2.5 Three-Year 24-Hour Averages, By Site ................................................................... 51 Figure 37: PM2.5 Three-Year Annual Averages, By Site..................................................................... 53 Figure 38: Georgias PM2.5 Nonattainment Area Map ........................................................................ 55 Figure 39: PM2.5 Annual and 24-Hour Concentrations across the United States, 2008 ...................... 56 Figure 40: Speciation, by Species, 2003-2010 .................................................................................. 58 Figure 41: PM2.5 Speciation, by Site, 2003-2010 ............................................................................... 60 Figure 42: Four-Season Average of PM2.5 Composition Data for 15 U.S. Cities ................................ 62 Figure 43: Process of Acid Rain Deposition....................................................................................... 63 Figure 44: Acid Rain Monitors ........................................................................................................... 63 Figure 45: Acid Rain Monitoring Site Map ......................................................................................... 64 Figure 46: PAMS Monitoring Site Map............................................................................................... 66 Figure 47: Isoprene Yearly Profile, 2003-2010 .................................................................................. 68 Figure 48: Toluene Yearly Profile, 2003-2010 ................................................................................... 69 Figure 49: Toluene & Isoprene, Typical Urban Daily Profile............................................................... 70 Figure 50: Carbonyls Monitoring Site Map......................................................................................... 72 Figure 51: Average South DeKalb 3-Hour Carbonyls, June-August, 2005-2010 ................................ 73 Figure 52: Average 24-Hour Carbonyls Concentration and Number of Detects, by Site, 2005-2010 . 74
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Figure 53: Average 24-Hour Carbonyls Concentration vs. Number of Detects, by Species, 2005-2010 ................................................................................................................................................... 75
Figure 54: Acrolein Concentrations and Percent Detections, 2007- 2010 .......................................... 76 Figure 55: Metals Monitoring Site Map .............................................................................................. 82 Figure 56: Percentage of Metals Detections by Site, 2005-2010 ....................................................... 83 Figure 57: Average Concentration and Percentage Detections of Metals, by Species, 2005-2010 .... 84 Figure 58: Average Concentration Comparison of Zinc, by Site, 2005-2010...................................... 85 Figure 59: Hexavalent Chromium at South DeKalb ........................................................................... 86 Figure 60: Total Volatile Organic Compounds Percent Detected per Site, 2005-2010 ....................... 87 Figure 61: Average Concentration and Percent Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (TO-15),
Common Compounds, 20052010 ............................................................................................. 88 Figure 62: Total Volatile Organic Compound Loading all Species, by Site, 2005-2010...................... 89 Figure 63: VOC and SVOC Monitoring Site Map ............................................................................... 90 Figure 64: Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds Percentage of Detections Per Site, 2005-2010 .......... 91 Figure 65: Comparison of Fourth Quarter 2009 and All of 2010 Semi-VOCs Detects ........................ 92 Figure 66: Total Average Concentration and Percentage Detections of Semi-Volatile Organic
Compounds by Compound, 2005-2010....................................................................................... 93 Figure 67: Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds at South DeKalb, 2007-2010 ..................................... 94 Figure 68: Correlation Matrix of Common Compounds Found at South DeKalb, 2010 ...................... 95 Figure 69: Meteorological Site Map ................................................................................................. 102 Figure 70: Monthly Time Series of Ozone Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During 2010
Ozone Season (May-July)......................................................................................................... 104 Figure 71: Monthly Time Series of Ozone Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During 2010
Ozone Season (August-September) ......................................................................................... 104 Figure 72: Monthly Times Series Plots of PM2.5 Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During
2010 (January-March)............................................................................................................... 105 Figure 73: Monthly Times Series Plots of PM2.5 Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During
2010 (April-June) ...................................................................................................................... 106 Figure 74: Monthly Times Series Plots of PM2.5 Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During
2010 (July-September) ............................................................................................................. 106 Figure 75: Monthly Times Series Plots of PM2.5 Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During
2010 (October-December) ........................................................................................................ 107 Figure 76: Objective Analysis from the NAM-40 Initial Fields Valid at (a) 12z on May 31, 2000, and (b)
00z on June 1, 2000 ................................................................................................................. 110 Figure 77: Objective Analysis from the NAM-40 Initial Fields Valid at (a) 12z on May 6, 2000, and (b)
00z on May 7, 2000 .................................................................................................................. 111 Figure 78: Drought Conditions Recorded by the U.S. Drought Monitor for Mid-July 2000................ 112 Figure 79: Average Daily Relative Humidity for August 2000 and 2010 (Averages taken from 7am to
5pm. August 2010 Data Include Daily Averages up to August 25, 2010.).................................. 113 Figure 80: Formulas for Calculating Risk and Hazard Quotient ....................................................... 141 Figure 81: Aggregate Cancer Risk and Hazard Index by Site for 2005-2006 ................................... 143 Figure 82: Aggregate Cancer Risk and Hazard Index by Site for 2007-2010 ................................... 144 Figure 83: Estimated Tract-Level Cancer Risk from the 2005 National Air Toxics Assessment ....... 149 Figure 84: Estimated Tract-Level Total Respiratory Hazard Index from the 2005 National Air Toxics
Assessment .............................................................................................................................. 150 Figure 85: The AQI.......................................................................................................................... 152 Figure 86: Number of Days with an AQI Value Above 100 .............................................................. 154 Figure 87: Sample AIRNOW Ozone Concentration Map ................................................................. 156
iv
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: National Ambient Air Quality Standards Summary ................................................................. 2 Table 2: 2010 Georgia Air Monitoring Network .................................................................................... 5 Table 3: Common Oxides of Nitrogen Species and Terms ................................................................ 12 Table 4: Comparison of Monthly Rainfall Amounts for 2010 and the 30 Year Average for Select Cities
in Georgia ................................................................................................................................... 99 Table 5: Meteorological Parameters Measured at Statewide Monitoring Sites During 2010 ............ 101 Table 6: Exceedances of Federal Air Quality Standards in Georgia (2000) ..................................... 108 Table 7: Exceedances of Federal Air Quality Standards in Georgia (2010) ..................................... 109 Table 8: Audits Performed for Each Air Monitoring Program in 2010 ............................................... 116 Table 9: NO Data Quality Assessment ............................................................................................ 118 Table 10: NO2 Data Quality Assessment ......................................................................................... 118 Table 11: NOX Data Quality Assessment......................................................................................... 118 Table 12: CO Data Quality Assessment .......................................................................................... 119 Table 13: SO2 Data Quality Assessment ......................................................................................... 119 Table 14: O3 Data Quality Assessment ........................................................................................... 120 Table 15: PM2.5 Data Quality Assessment for FRM Samplers .......................................................... 122 Table 16: PM2.5 Data Quality Assessment for Semi-Continuous Samplers ...................................... 123 Table 17: PM10 Data Quality Assessment of 24-Hour Integrated Samplers ..................................... 123 Table 18: Summary of Unexposed Filter Mass Replicates............................................................... 124 Table 19: Summary of Exposed Filter Mass Replicates................................................................... 124 Table 20: NATTS Sites with EPA Region Numbers and AQS Site Codes ....................................... 127 Table 21: Measurement Quality Objectives for the NATTS Program ............................................... 127 Table 22: MQO Data Sources for the Georgia NAATS Program...................................................... 128 Table 23: 23 Selected HAPs and Their AQS Parameter Codes....................................................... 129 Table 24: Percent Completeness of Georgia's 2010 AQS Data, Selected Compounds ................... 129 Table 25: PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment for South DeKalb.................... 130 Table 26: PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment for Conyers ............................ 131 Table 27: PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment for Yorkville ............................ 132 Table 28: PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment for Ambient Monitoring Program
................................................................................................................................................. 133 Table 29: Meteorological Measurements Accuracy Results............................................................. 134 Table 30: Compounds Monitored and Screening Values Used in Initial Assessment....................... 138 Table 31: Summary of Chemicals Analyzed in 2010........................................................................ 139 Table 32: Site-Specific Detection Frequency and Mean Chemical Concentration, 2010 .................. 140 Table 33: Cancer Risk and Hazard Quotient by Location and Chemical, 2010 ................................ 142 Table 34: Aggregate Cancer Risk and Hazard Indices for Each Site, Excluding Carbonyls, 2010 ... 143 Table 35: Summary Data for Select VOCs at PAMS Sites, 2010..................................................... 145 Table 36: Summary Observations, Cancer Risk, and Hazard Quotient for Carbonyls, 2010 ............ 145 Table 37: AQI Summary Data, 2010................................................................................................ 153 Table 38: AIRNOW Participation Evaluation Results ....................................................................... 157
v
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Ambient Monitoring Program of the Air Protection Branch of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has monitored air quality in the State of Georgia for more than thirty years. The list of compounds monitored has grown over the thirty years to more than 200 pollutants using several types of samplers at sites statewide. This monitoring is performed to protect public health and environmental quality. The resulting data is used for a broad range of regulatory and research purposes, as well as to inform the public. This report is the summary of the monitoring data from 2010, and is an assessment of the data in conjunction with previous years findings.
The Chemical Monitoring Activities, Photochemical Assessment Monitoring (PAMS), and Air Toxics Monitoring sections provide an in-depth discussion of the chemicals that are monitored and maps identify individual monitoring sites. These sections also contain discussions on general health effects, measurement techniques, and attainment designations for the criteria pollutants that are monitored. Additionally, these sections discuss trends and common sources for the monitored pollutants.
Six pollutants fall within the criteria pollutant list. These pollutants are carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter (now regulated in two size categories). The ambient concentrations of these pollutants must meet a regulatory standard. The regulatory standard is health-based. Concentrations above the standard are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Another set of compounds called air toxics are monitored throughout the state in the Air Toxics Network. The sources of these emitted compounds include vehicle emissions, stationary source emissions, and natural sources. These air toxic compounds do not have ambient air regulatory standards. However, a review of the monitoring results is screened for theoretical lifetime cancer risk and potential non-cancer health effects on a yearly basis. This analysis is presented in the Risk Assessment section of this report. Estimates of theoretical cancer risk posed by these compounds are primarily driven by a small number of chemicals in the metals, volatile organic compounds, and carbonyls groups of the air toxics. The estimates of theoretical lifetime cancer risk related to air toxic pollutants in the areas monitored across the state ranged from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 1,000,000. The potential risk of non-cancer health effects from air toxic pollutants is estimated differently, and most chemicals were well below the hazard quotient of 1.
The Ambient Monitoring Program also operates an extensive network of meteorological stations. The Meteorological Report section discusses Georgias climatology based on the meteorological data captured at the PAMS sites and the sites located statewide. The meteorological sites provide, at a minimum, wind speed and wind direction data. Some stations are very sophisticated and provide information on barometric pressure, relative humidity, solar radiation, temperature, and precipitation. A discussion of the Georgia ozone and PM2.5 forecasting effort is also included in this section.
The Quality Assurance section shows the Ambient Monitoring Programs undertaking to produce quality data. The data has to be collected and measured in a certain manner to meet requirements that are set forth by the EPA. The requirements for each monitored pollutant are provided, including field and laboratory techniques, as well as results of the quality assurance audits.
The Outreach and Education section provides information concerning the efforts of the Clean Air Campaign to change the commuting habits of residents of Atlanta. The voluntary program partners with the public and private sector to reduce vehicle congestion and aid in reducing vehicle emissions. This section includes a description of educational and news media outreach activities, and explains how the Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to offer the public an easy to use indicator of air quality.
The appendices of this document contain summary tables for the pollutants measured during 2010. Included in the summary tables is information on where air toxic compounds were detected, the number of samples collected, and average and maximum concentrations.
Copies of this and previous annual reports are available in Adobe Acrobat format via the Ambient
vi
Monitoring Program website at http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp/. A limited number of print copies are available and may be requested at 404-363-7006. Real time air monitoring information for the criteria pollutants may be found at the above website by selecting the pollutant of concern. In addition, the website also provides links to the Clean Air Campaign and the smog forecast.
vii
Aerosols AM APB AQCR Anthropogenic ARITH MEAN AQS By-product BAM CAA CFR CO CV DNR EPA EPD FRM
GEO MEAN HAP HI HQ IUR LOD
g/m3 m/s MDL Mean MSA NAAQS NAMS NATTS NMHC NO2 NOx NOy NUM OBS NWS ODC O3 PAH PAMS Pb PM2.5 PM10 ppb ppbC ppm Precursor PUF QTR Rawinsonde RfC Screening Value
GLOSSARY
A gaseous suspension of fine solid or liquid particles Annual Mean Air Protection Branch Air Quality Control Region Resulting from human activity Arithmetic Mean Air Quality System Something produced in making something else; secondary result Beta Attenuation Monitor Clean Air Act Code of Federal Regulations Carbon Monoxide Coefficient of Variation Department of Natural Resources (state agency) Environmental Protection Agency (federal agency) Environmental Protection Division (state agency) Federal Reference Method- the official measurement technique for a given pollutant Geometric Mean Hazardous Air Pollutant Hazard Index Hazard Quotient Inhalation Unit Risk Limit of Detection Micrograms per cubic meter Meters per second Method Detection Limit Average Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau National Ambient Air Quality Standard National Ambient Monitoring Site National Air Toxics Trends Station Non-Methane Hydrocarbons Nitrogen Dioxide Oxides of Nitrogen Reactive oxides of Nitrogen Number of Observations National Weather Service Ozone depleting Chemicals Ozone Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station Lead Particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less Particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns or less Parts per billion Parts per billion Carbon Parts per million A substance from which another substance is formed Polyurethane Foam Calendar Quarter A source of meteorological data for the upper atmosphere Reference Concentration Initial level of air toxic compounds used in risk assessment
viii
SLAMS SO2 SPMS TEOM TNMOC TRS TSP UV VOC w/m2
State and Local Air Monitoring Site Sulfur Dioxide Special Purpose Monitoring Site Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance Total Non-Methane Organic Compounds Total Reduced Sulfur Total Suspended Particulates Ultraviolet Volatile Organic Compound Watts per square meter
ix
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Introduction
INTRODUCTION
This report summarizes the air quality data collected by the State of Georgia during calendar year 2010. The Air Protection Branch is a subdivision of the states Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Environmental Protection Division (EPD).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates air quality standards nationwide through authority granted by Congress in the Clean Air Act. Few people realize, though, that the air quality monitoring that is required by the Act is performed almost entirely by state and local governments. The Ambient Monitoring Program conducts monitoring in Georgia, both to satisfy Clean Air Act monitoring requirements and to exceed them in cases where additional monitoring proves beneficial to the citizens and industries of the State. Monitoring is performed to facilitate the protection of public health, as well as to protect our natural environment. The data is collected and quality assured using equipment and techniques specified by EPA. Once the data is ready, it is submitted to EPAs national air quality database (AQS), where it is available to a broad community of data users.
Despite the technical nature of the information collected, every effort has been made to make the data relevant and useful to those who do not routinely study air quality data. To provide additional information for those who have interest in more detailed technical information, extensive Appendices are included. Further information about air quality in Georgia and nationwide is available from EPA.
Due to budget constraints and lack of available personnel, the Ambient Air Monitoring Program temporarily discontinued certain samplers in 2008 and 2009. Much consideration went in to deciding which samplers would be temporarily discontinued. Which pollutants are examined for attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which pollutants are federally mandated, and the number of pollutants measured at each site are some of the factors that were considered in the decision making process. The samplers that are temporarily discontinued are shown in red in Table 2, on pages 4 and 5.
1 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
CHEMICAL MONITORING ACTIVITIES
This section contains a summary of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and the monitoring techniques used to measure ambient air quality for comparison with these standards.
The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the EPA Administrator to identify pollutants that may endanger public health or welfare. The Administrator is required to issue air quality criteria that reflect current scientific knowledge useful in indicating the type and extent of identifiable effects on public health or welfare that may be expected from the presence of such pollutant in ambient air. Under the CAA, the EPA Administrator establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for each pollutant for which air quality criteria have been issued. The EPA is to set standards where "the attainment and maintenance are requisite to protect public health" with "an adequate margin of safety." In 1971, the EPA established standards for five "criteria" pollutants as required by the Clean Air Act. The standards and pollutants have changed over time to keep up with improvements in scientific knowledge and now consist of six pollutants. These pollutants are carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter (now regulated in two size categories). For the most current list of standards, EPAs website (http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html) should be referred. To summarize the list as of 2010, Table 1 is included below.
COMPOUND
PRIMARY STANDARD SECONDARY STANDARD UNITS
TIME INTERVAL
Sulfur Dioxide
Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
Particulate Matter (PM10)
Carbon Monoxide
Ozone
Nitrogen Dioxide Lead
0.14 0.03 75 15.0
98th percentile: 35
2nd Maximum: 150
2nd Maximum: 35.0 2nd Maximum: 9.0
4th Maximum: 0.075 53 100 0.15
0.5 Same as Primary
Same as Primary
Same as Primary
Same as Primary
Same as Primary
Same as Primary
ppm ppb g/m3 g/m3 ppm ppm ppb g/m3
3 Hour 24 Hour Annual Mean 1 Hour Annual Mean
24 Hour
24 Hour
1 Hour 8 Hour Average
8 Hour Average
Annual Mean 1 Hour
Rolling 3-Month Average
Table 1: National Ambient Air Quality Standards Summary
As shown in Table 1, there are two categories for ambient air quality standards, primary and secondary. Primary standards are intended to protect the most sensitive individuals in a population. These "sensitive" individuals include children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses. The secondary standards are designed to protect public welfare or the quality of life. This includes visibility protection, limiting economic damage, damage to wildlife, the climate, or man-made material. The varied averaging times are to address the health impacts of each pollutant. Short-term averages are to protect against acute effects. Long-term averages are to protect against chronic effects.
The Georgia ambient air monitoring network provides information on the measured concentrations of criteria and non-criteria pollutants at pre-selected locations. The 2010 Georgia Air Sampling Network
2 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
consisted of 60 locations in 36 counties; however, only 49 sites collected data in 31 counties in 2010. Monitoring occurs year-round, although some pollutants have various required monitoring periods. Ozone, with the exception of the South DeKalb site, is sampled from March through October, and the continuous (hourly) Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) volatile organic compounds are sampled from June through August. Table 2, on the next two pages, is a list of sites in the monitoring network along with details of pollutants monitored and their locations. The monitors highlighted in red are those that are temporarily discontinued. Figure 1, following Table 2, is a spatial display of the air monitoring locations in the state, and includes those monitors that were temporarily discontinued. Please note that not all pollutants are monitored at all sites. Maps of the monitoring locations for individual pollutants are provided in each pollutants respective section.
The number of monitoring sites and their respective locations can vary from year to year. This variation depends on the availability of long-term space allocation, regulatory needs, and other factors such as the sufficiency of resources. Once a site is established, the most common goal for its use is to monitor for long-term trends. All official monitoring performed in support of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) must use U.S. EPA-defined reference methods described in 40 CFR Part 53, Appendix A, or equivalent methods designated in accordance with Part 53 of that chapter. All data collected in the networks undergoes an extensive quality assurance review and is then submitted to the Air Quality System (AQS) database that is maintained by the EPA.
In general, the basic monitoring objectives that govern the selection of sites are: 1) to measure the highest observable concentration; 2) to determine representative concentrations in areas of high population density; 3) to determine the impact of significant sources or source categories on ambient pollution levels; 4) to determine the general background concentration levels; and 5) to determine the concentration of a number of compounds which contribute to the formation of ground level ozone. Data collected from continuous monitors in Georgias monitoring network are presented on EPDs website at http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp/. The data is updated hourly at 15 minutes past the hour. Specific annual summary data for 2010 are available in Appendix A.
3 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
SITE ID
COMMON NAME
COUNTY
Rome MSA
131150003 Coosa Elementary
131150004
Co. Health Dept.
Brunswick MSA
131270004 Arco Pump Station
131270006
Risley Middle
131273001 Brunswick College
Valdosta MSA
131850003
Mason Elem.
Warner Robins MSA
131530001
Robins Air Base
Dalton MSA
132130003
Fort Mountain
Floyd Floyd
Glynn Glynn Glynn
Lowndes
Houston
Murray
Albany MSA
130950007
Turner Elem.
Gainesville MSA
131390003 Fair St. Elementary
Athens-Clark County MSA
130590002 College Station Rd.
Macon MSA
Dougherty Hall
Clarke
130210007 130210012 130210013
Allied Chemical Forestry
Lake Tobesofkee
Bibb Bibb Bibb
Columbus Georgia- Alabama MSA
132150001
Health Dept.
Muscogee
132150008
Airport
Muscogee
132150011 Cusseta Elementary
Muscogee
132151003
Crime Lab
Muscogee
132155000
Columbus State
Muscogee
Savannah MSA
130510014 Shuman Middle School Chatham
130510017
Market St.
Chatham
130510021
E. President St.
Chatham
130510091
Mercer Middle
Chatham
130511002 W. Lathrop & Augusta Ave. Chatham
Augusta Georgia-South Carolina MSA
130730001
Riverside Park
Columbia
131890001
Fish Hatchery
McDuffie
132450005
Med. College GA
Richmond
132450091
Bungalow Rd.
Richmond
132450092 Clara Jenkins School Richmond
PM2.5 PM2.5 PM2.5
PM10 Acid PAMS
Carb- Meteoro- Aethal-
O3 CO FRM Cont. Spec. NO NOx NO2 NOy SO2 TRS Pb PM10 Cont. Rain VOC VOC SVOC onyls logy ometer
S
S
X
S
S
NR NR
S
S
S S M
NR NR NR NR
S
S
NR NR
S
S
NR NR
S
NR
S
S
S
S
S
NR NR
S
S
S
X
S
X
S
S
S
S
S S S
NR NR
NR
NR
S
S
S
S
S
X
S S S
NR NR NR
S S
S S
S S S
NR NR NR NR NR
S
S
S
S
S
X
S
NR
G
S
NR
NR NR
Cr6 Metals NR NR NR NR
NR NR
NR NR
NR
4 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
SITE ID Atlanta MSA 130150003 130630091 130670003
COMMON NAME
Cartersville Georgia DOT National Guard
PM2.5 PM2.5 PM2.5
PM10 Acid PAMS
Carb- Meteoro- Aethal-
COUNTY O3 CO FRM Cont. Spec. NO NOx NO2 NOy SO2 TRS Pb PM10 Cont. Rain VOC VOC SVOC onyls logy ometer Cr6 Metals
Bartow
S
NR
Clayton
S
Cobb
S
S
130670004 Macland Aquatic Center Cobb
S
130770002 Univ. of West GA
Coweta S
S
NR
130850001
GA Forestry
Dawson S
G
NR NR NR NR
NR
130890002
South DeKalb
DeKalb S/P/C S/P/C S/C S/C T/C S/P S/P S/P S/P/C C
P N N P/N
P
N
N
N
130890003
DMRC
DeKalb
S
130892001
Police Dept.
DeKalb
S
130893001
Tucker
DeKalb
S NR
130970004 W. Strickland St.
Douglas S
NR
131130001
Georgia DOT
Fayette S
NR
131210020
Utoy Creek
Fulton
NR NR
NR
131210032 E. Rivers School
Fulton
S
S
131210039
Fire Station#8
Fulton
S
131210048
Georgia Tech
Fulton
S
SS S
S
S
NR
131210055 Confederate Ave.
Fulton
S
S
S
NR
131210099
Roswell Road
Fulton
S
131350002
Gwinnett Tech
Gwinnett S
S S
131510002 County Extension
Henry
S
S
132230003
Yorkville
Paulding S/P S/P S S
S/P S/P S/P
P NR NR
P
NR
132470001
Monastery
Rockdale S/P
S/P S/P S/P
P
P
132970001
Fish Hatchery
Walton
S
Chattanooga Tennessee-Georgia MSA
132950002 Co. Health Dept.
Walker
S
S
X
Not In An MSA
130090001 Baldwin Co. Airport
Baldwin
NR NR
NR
130550001
Fish Hatchery
Chattooga S
S
G
130690002 General Coffee State Park Coffee
X
NR NR
NR
132410002
Lake Burton
Rabun
G
132611001
Union High
Sumter S
133030001 Co. Health Dept.
Washington
S
S
133190001
Police Dept.
Wilkinson
S
Monitoring Types: S=SLAMS; P=PAMS; C=NCore; M=SPM; X=Supplemental Speciation; T=STN; N=NATTS; NR=Non-Regulatory; G=General Information
Samplers in red are temporarily not operational
Table 2: 2010 Georgia Air Monitoring Network
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All Georgia Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 1: Georgia Air Monitoring Site Map
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CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
GENERAL INFORMATION Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas that is a by-product of incomplete burning. In most large metropolitan areas the primary source of CO pollution is engendered from automobile exhaust. The CO emissions from automobiles are responsible for approximately 60% of CO emissions nationwide. Other contributors of CO are fires, industrial processes, cigarettes, and other sources of incomplete burning in the indoor environment. Figure 2 and Figure 3 give a visual representation of the CO emissions in Georgia. These figures are taken from EPAs latest available data on air emission sources, based on 2008 data.
(From EPAs Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 2: Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in Georgia in 2008
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(From EPAs Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 3: Carbon Monoxide (CO) Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View
In colder months, a few factors come together that can cause concentrations of ambient CO to be found at higher levels than the rest of the year. During the winter months, cooler temperatures prevent complete combustion of fuels, causing an increase in CO emissions. This can especially affect fuel combustion in gas-powered automobiles, as friction is increased during cold engine operation. At the same time, winter is subjected to more frequent atmospheric inversion layers. In standard conditions, the troposphere contains temperatures that decrease with increasing altitude. An inversion layer can occur when a layer of warmer air traps cooler air near the surface, disrupting the descending temperature gradient of the troposphere and preventing the usual mixing that would occur in normal conditions. During this time, the increased CO emissions can be trapped by the cap that is formed by the inversion layer, locking in CO emissions near the earths surface.
The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires that Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) with a population greater than 500,000, as determined by the last census (2000), to have at least two CO State and Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS). In Georgia, only the Atlanta MSA meets the population requirement. Currently, the SLAMS site is located at Roswell Road (Figure 4). The Roswell Road site was established to monitor for CO at a microscale level. The purpose of microscale measurements is to measure peak concentrations in major urban traffic areas. A microscale site monitors an air mass that covers a distance of several meters to about 100 meters.
In substitution for a second SLAMS monitor, high sensitivity CO monitors have been installed at the Yorkville and South DeKalb sites. The purpose of these CO monitors is to aid in the detection of combustion and smoke plumes from power plants. In addition, the South DeKalb site is required to monitor CO as part of the National Core (NCore) Multipollutant Monitoring Network.
HEALTH IMPACTS Once CO is inhaled, it enters the blood stream, where it binds chemically to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the component of blood that is responsible for carrying oxygen to the cells. When CO binds to hemoglobin, it reduces the ability of hemoglobin to do its job, and in turn reduces the amount of oxygen delivered throughout the body. The percentage of hemoglobin affected by CO depends on the amount of air inhaled, the concentration of CO in air, and the length of exposure.
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Negative health effects of CO include weakening the contractions of the heart that reduces blood flow to various parts of the body. In a healthy person, this effect significantly reduces the ability to perform physical activities. In persons with chronic heart disease, this effect can threaten the overall quality of life, because their systems may be unable to compensate for the decrease in oxygen. CO pollution is also likely to cause such individuals to experience chest pain during activity. Adverse effects have also been observed in individuals with heart conditions who are exposed to CO pollution in heavy freeway traffic for one or more hours.
In addition, fetuses, young infants, pregnant women, elderly people, and individuals with anemia or emphysema are likely to be more susceptible to the effects of CO. For these individuals, the effects are more pronounced when exposure takes place at high altitude locations, where oxygen concentration is lower. CO can also affect mental functions, visual acuity, and the alertness of healthy individuals, even at relatively low concentrations.
MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES CO is monitored using an EPA-approved reference or equivalent method. The analyzers are selfcontained and capable of measuring ambient CO on a continuous, real-time basis using the nondispersive infrared analysis and gas filter correlation methods. CO is monitored using specialized analyzers based on the principle that CO absorbs infrared radiation. The sample is drawn through the sample bulkhead and the optical bench. Radiation from an infrared source is chopped and then passed through a gas filter alternating between CO and N2. The radiation then passes through a narrow bandpass interference filter and enters the optical bench where absorption by the sample gas occurs. The infrared radiation then exits the optical bench and falls on an infrared detector. The N2 side of the filter wheel produces a measure beam which can be absorbed by CO in the cell. The chopped detector signal is modulated by the alternation between the two gas filters with amplitude related to the concentration of CO in the sample cell. Thus, the gas filter correlation system responds specifically to CO. The CO concentration is then displayed on the front panel display and sent to the analog or digital output. The sampler is equipped with a microprocessor that enables digital measurement of CO, automatic compensation for changes in temperature and pressure, and internal diagnostics.
ATTAINMENT DESIGNATION Data collected from the continuous monitors is used to determine compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA) 8-hour and 1-hour standard for CO. The 8-hour standard requires that, for 8-hour averages, no concentration greater than 9 ppm may be observed more than once per year. For 1-hour averages, no concentration greater than 35 ppm may be observed more than once a year. If the data shows that these criteria are met, then the area is considered to be in attainment of the standard. All of Georgia is in attainment of both the 8-hour and 1-hour standards for carbon monoxide.
For additional summary data on carbon monoxide, see Appendix A.
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
CO Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 4: Carbon Monoxide Site Monitoring Map
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
OXIDES OF NITROGEN (NO, NO2, NOx and NOy)
GENERAL INFORMATION Oxides of nitrogen (see Table 3 on the following page) exist in various forms in the atmosphere. The most common is nitric oxide (NO), but other forms such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric acid (HNO3) and dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) are also present. The bulk of these compounds in the atmosphere are produced from high temperature combustion and lightning. Nitrogen is a very stable molecule and is essentially inert unless subjected to extreme conditions. The oxides of nitrogen are less stable, however, and are key participants in atmospheric chemistry, converting back and forth between numerous states under different conditions. Many of these reactions involve the conversion of oxygen atoms between their atomic (O2) and ozone (O3) forms. As such, oxides of nitrogen are studied as precursors of (and alternately by-products of) ozone formation. With the many forms of oxides of nitrogen in the atmosphere, they are sometimes referred to using the generic terms NOx or NOy. Nitric acid (HNO3) is the most oxidized form of nitrogen in the atmosphere. This species is water-soluble and is removed from the atmosphere in the form of acidic raindrops.
NO is changed to NO2 in very rapid atmospheric reactions. During daylight hours, ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun breaks apart NO2 into NO and free oxygen (O). The free oxygen atom (O) will attach itself to molecular oxygen (O2) creating an ozone (O3) molecule. This is the origin of the majority of ground level ozone. With the UV radiation breaking apart the NO2 and N2O5, the daytime levels of are low. Then the concentrations rise rapidly overnight with the lack of UV radiation. When the sun rises again in the morning, they are converted back to NO and ozone. The following graph,
Figure 5, is a representation of this typical diurnal pattern of NO2. Refer to the ozone section and Figure 15 for a comparison of each diurnal pattern.
Concentration (ppm)
0.025 0.02
0.015 0.01
0.005 0
Hour
Figure 5: Typical Diurnal Pattern of Nitrogen Dioxide
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ABBREVIATION NO
NO2
HNO3 PAN NOx NOy
FULL NAME
CREATION PROCESSES
ELIMINATION PROCESSES
Nitrous Oxide
Result of ozone photochemistry High-temperature
combustion
Reacts with ozone to form NO2 and oxygen
Nitrogen Dioxide
Nitric Acid
High-temperature combustion
Reaction of NO and ozone NO2 + H2O
Reacts with oxygen in strong sun to form ozone plus NO "Washes out" in rain "Washes out" in rain
Peroxyacetyl Oxidation of hydrocarbons
Nitrate
in sunlight
Slow devolution to NO2
Name for NO + NO2
Name for all atmospheric oxides of nitrogen- mostly NO, NO2, HNO3, N2O5, and PAN
Table 3: Common Oxides of Nitrogen Species and Terms
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the important oxides of nitrogen. It is a light brown gas, and can be an important component of urban haze, depending upon local sources. Nitrogen oxides usually enter the air as the result of high-temperature combustion processes, such as those occurring in automobiles and industries (Figure 6). Home heaters, gas stoves, and non-road equipment also produce substantial amounts of NO2. NO2 is formed from the oxidation of nitric oxide (NO), which has a pungent odor at high concentrations and a bleach smell at lower concentrations. NO2 is a precursor to ozone formation and can be oxidized to form nitric acid (HNO3), one of the compounds that contribute to acid rain (see Acid Precipitation section). Nitrate particles and NO2 can block the transmission of light, reducing visibility. Figure 7 shows a spatial view of the varying concentrations of nitrogen oxides by county in Georgia during 2008. The following figures are taken from the latest emissions report from EPA, based on 2008 data.
(From EPA's Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 6: Common Sources of Nitrogen Oxides in Georgia in 2008
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(From EPA's Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 7: Nitrogen Oxides Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View
Efforts are being taken to reduce the emissions of harmful nitrogen oxides. School bus retrofitting, truck stop electrification, and locomotive conversions are three alternative methods that are being used as to reduce emissions. School bus retrofitting focuses on older school buses that are being fitted with an emission control device to reduce emitted NOx. A specific type of retrofit known as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reduces output by converting nitrogen oxides to molecular nitrogen and oxygen-rich exhaust streams. SCR systems are enhanced by using a low sulfur fuel. The amount of sulfur in diesel was recently reduced by 97 percent, creating low sulfur fuel. As sulfur tends to hamper exhaust-control devices, the introduction of low sulfur fuel has allowed retrofitting to be an effective means of reducing emissions.
Truck stop electrification (TRE) reduces idling by diesel powered commercial trucks. Truck drivers are typically required to rest 8 hours for every 10 hours of travel time. During this resting period, diesel engines are idled as a means to power their air conditioning and heating systems. TRE eliminates this diesel dependence by providing an electrical system that charges battery-powered appliances including air conditioning, heating, and other electronic devices. In addition, cool or warm air is pumped into the trucks via a hose hookup at the truck stops as another method of cutting down on idling and emissions. All of this reduces oxides of nitrogen that would be produced by unnecessary idling.
Locomotive conversions reduce emissions by replacing old single diesel engines used by switch locomotives with smaller, more efficient modular diesel engines. Switch locomotives, or switchers, assemble and disassemble trains at rail yards. When they are not in action, they idle on the rails until another train comes along. The new engines, known as "genset" and eventually Tier 4 engines, utilize two or more smaller engines that can combine to equal the strength of the older engines to pull the maximum load. They can function individually, or with less horsepower, to handle less demanding loads, while cutting down on the fuel needed to perform the task. These lower-emitting off-road diesel engines also feature an automatic engine start/stop technology to reduce idling when not in use.
In order to protect public health against adverse effects associated with short-term NO2 exposure, on January 22, 2010, EPA strengthened the NO2 standard to include a 1-hour form. This form of the
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standard is a three-year average of the 98th% of the annual daily maximum 1-hour averages. The level for this standard is 100 parts per billion. For this standard, EPA is interested in monitoring nearroad concentrations and the effects of traffic. By January 1, 2013, GA EPD will have one of a limited number of sites that will be initially established nationwide. To show how past NO2 data would compare to this new standard, the following graph displays the three-year averages of ambient data, as available from 2000 to 2010. The South DeKalb, Yorkville, and Conyers sites are the sites currently collecting NO2 in Georgia. The 1-hour design values are well below the 100 ppb standard, and have consistently dropped since 2000.
100
90
100 ppb
80
standard
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Three-Year Average 98% Daily Maximum 1-Hour Averages (ppb)
South DeKalb
Tucker
GA Tech
Yorkville
Conyers
Figure 8: Nitrogen Dioxide 1-Hour Design Values, 2000-2010
HEALTH IMPACTS Exposure to high levels of NO2 for short durations (less than three hours) can lead to respiratory problems. Asthma sufferers, in particular, are sensitive to NO2. This sensitivity was expressed in a study that examined changes in airway responsiveness of exercising asthmatics during exposure to relatively low levels of NO2. Other studies also indicate a relationship between indoor NO2 exposures and increased respiratory illness rates in young children, but definitive results are still lacking. In addition, many animal analyses suggest that NO2 impairs respiratory defense mechanisms and increases susceptibility to infection. Several other observations also show that chronic exposure to relatively low NO2 pollution levels may cause structural changes in the lungs of animals. These studies suggest that chronic exposure to NO2 could lead to adverse health effects in humans, but specific levels and durations likely to cause such effects have not yet been determined.
MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES Oxides of nitrogen, particularly NO2, are monitored using specialized analyzers that continuously measure the concentration of oxides of nitrogen in ambient air using the ozone-phase chemiluminescent method. Nitric oxide (NO) and ozone (O3) react to produce a characteristic luminescence with an intensity linearly proportional to the NO concentration. Infrared light emission results when electronically excited NO2 molecules decay to lower energy states. NO2 must first be converted to NO before it can be measured using the chemiluminescent reaction. NO2 is converted to NO by a molybdenum NO2-to-NO converter heated to about 325oC. The ambient air sample is drawn into the sample bulkhead. The sample flows through a particulate filter, a capillary, then to the mode solenoid valve. The solenoid valve routes the sample either straight to the reaction chamber (NO mode) or through the NO2-to-NO converter and then to the reaction chamber (NOx mode). Dry air
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enters the dry air bulkhead through a flow sensor, and then through a silent discharge ozonator. The ozonator generates the necessary ozone concentration needed for the chemiluminescent reaction. The ozone reacts with the NO in the ambient air to produce electronically excited NO2 molecules. A photomultiplier tube housed in a thermoelectric cooler detects the NO2 luminescence. The NO and NO2 concentrations calculated in the NO and NOx modes are stored in memory, and the difference between the concentrations are used to calculate the NO2 concentration. The sampler outputs NO, NO2, and NOx concentrations on the front panel display and the analog or digital outputs. There are two major instrument designs. While they are closely related, they do not monitor the same species. NOx analyzers measure NO, NO2, and NOx. NOy analyzers measure NO and NOy, but cannot measure NO2. The NOy analyzers are also specialized for measuring trace-level concentrations; as such, they cannot measure higher concentrations. Because of these tradeoffs, it is necessary to operate a network of both instrument types to get a complete picture of local conditions.
Of the oxides of nitrogen, only NO2 is regulated under the NAAQS. Therefore, only the NOx type analyzers produce data directly relevant to the standard. NO2 monitoring is required in urban areas with populations greater than 1,000,000. Atlanta is the only urban area in Georgia that meets that population requirement. In 2010, the Atlanta MSA had three NO2 sites collecting data. They are located at the South DeKalb, Conyers, and Yorkville sites. In addition, as of January 1, 2013, GA EPD
will be doing near-road NO2 monitoring. The complete oxides of nitrogen monitoring network, including NOx and NOy monitor locations and monitors that were temporarily discontinued, can be found in Figure 9.
ATTAINMENT DESIGNATION Data collected from the continuous monitors is used to determine compliance with the NAAQS primary and secondary annual standards for NO2. These standards require that a sites annual average concentration not exceed 0.053 ppm or 53 ppb. In addition, the 1-hour NO2 standard of 100 ppb, which is a three-year average of the 98th% of the daily maximum 1-hour values, was added January 22, 2010 [Federal Register, Vol. 75, No. 26, page 6474, dated February 9, 2010]. The Atlanta MSA is in attainment of both the annual and the 1-hour NO2 standard. For additional summary data on this topic, see Appendix A.
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NOx / NOy Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 9: Oxides of Nitrogen Monitoring Site Map
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Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
SULFUR DIOXIDE (SO2)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless reactive gas that is formed by burning sulfur-containing material, such as coal, or by processing sulfur-containing ores. Most SO2 emissions in Georgia come from electric generation (Figure 10). SO2 is odorless at low concentrations, but pungent at very high concentrations. It can be oxidized in the atmosphere into sulfuric acid. When locomotives, large ships,
and non-road equipment burn sulfur-bearing fuel, or when ores that contain sulfur are processed, the sulfur is oxidized to form SO2. SO2 then can react with other pollutants to form aerosols. In liquid form, SO2 may be found in clouds, fog, rain, aerosol particles, and in surface liquid films on these particles. Both SO2 and NO2 are precursors to the formation of acid rain that leads to acidic deposition. SO2 is also a precursor for sulfate particles. Major sources of SO2 are fossil fuel-burning power plants and industrial boilers. Figure 10, below, shows common SO2 sources and Figure 11, below, shows SO2 emissions by county in Georgia. These figures are based on 2008 data and are taken from the latest
emissions report from EPA.
(From EPAs Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 10: Common Sources of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) in Georgia in 2008
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
(From EPAs Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 11: Sulfur Dioxide Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View
On June 2, 2010, the SO2 primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard was strengthened. In order to protect public health from high short-term concentrations of SO2, this new standard is for 1-hour values. Three-year averages of the 99th% of annual daily maximum 1-hour averages are compared to the level of 75 ppb. The next two graphs (Figure 12 and Figure 13) show how Georgias SO2 data compares to the new 1-hour standard. Figure 12 displays all the 99th% of the maximum values for the 1-hour averages from 2000 to 2010. Figure 13 shows the three-year averages as the past air quality would relate to this new standard.
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Concentration (ppb)
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
140 120 100
80 60 40 20
0
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Site
*rotational sampler for at least part of operation
Figure 12: SO2 99th% of 1-Hour Maximum Daily Averages, 2000-2010
19 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
Three Year Averages of 99th% Daily Max 1-Hour Averages (ppb)
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
120 100
80 60 40 20
0
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
75 ppb standard
98-00 99-01 00-02 01-03 02-04 03-05 04-06 05-07 06-08 07-09 08-10
Site
Figure 13: SO2 1-Hour Design Values, 2000-2010
HEALTH IMPACTS Exposure to SO2 can cause impairment of respiratory function, aggravation of existing respiratory disease (especially bronchitis), and a decrease in the ability of the lungs to clear foreign particles. It can also increase mortality, especially if elevated levels of particulate matter (PM) are present. Individuals with hyperactive airways, cardiovascular disease, and asthma are most sensitive to the effects of SO2. In addition, elderly people and children are also likely to be sensitive to SO2.
The effects of short-term peak exposures to SO2 have been evaluated in controlled human exposure studies. These studies show that SO2 generally increases airway resistance in the lungs, and can cause significant constriction of air passages in sensitive asthmatics. These impacts have been observed in subjects engaged in moderate to heavy exercise while exposed to relatively high peak concentrations. These changes in lung function are accompanied by perceptible symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing in these sensitive groups.
The presence of particle pollution appears to aggravate the impact of SO2 pollution. Several studies of chronic effects have found that people living in areas with high particulate matter and SO2 levels have a higher incidence of respiratory illnesses and symptoms than people living in areas without such a combination of pollutants.
MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES Sulfur dioxide is measured in the ambient air using EPA-approved equivalent method instruments as defined in 40 CFR Part 53, Appendix A. Georgias sulfur dioxide network consists of continuous instruments using a pulsed ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence technique. This monitoring technique is based on measuring the emitted fluorescence of SO2 produced by its absorption of UV radiation. Pulsating UV light is focused through a narrow bandpass filter allowing only light wavelengths of 1,900 to 2,300 angstrom units (A_) to pass into the fluorescence chamber. SO2 absorbs light in this region
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Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
without any quenching by air or most other molecules found in polluted air. The SO2 molecules are excited by UV light and emit a characteristic decay radiation. A second filter allows only this decay radiation to reach a photomultiplier tube. Electronic signal processing transforms the light energy impinging on the photomultiplier tube into a voltage which is directly proportional to the concentration of SO2 in the sample stream being analyzed. The sampler outputs the SO2 concentration to the front panel display and analog or digital output.
From January 2006 until October 2008, a variation of this instrument configured to monitor for total reduced sulfur (TRS), which monitors for other sulfur-bearing compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, collected samples in Brunswick. Figure 14 shows the locations of the Georgia SO2 monitoring stations for 2010, and includes monitors that were temporarily discontinued.
ATTAINMENT DESIGNATION To determine if an SO2 monitor is in attainment, the annual, 24-hour average, and 3-hour averages are evaluated. The data collected has to be at least 75 percent complete in each calendar quarter. A 24-hour block average is considered valid if at least 75 percent of the hourly averages for that 24-hour period are available [61 FR 25579, May 22, 1996]. To be considered in attainment, an SO2 site must have an annual mean less than 0.03 parts per million (ppm), no more than one 24-hour average exceeding 0.14 ppm, and no more than one 3-hour average exceeding 0.50 ppm. In addition, for the new 1-hour standard, the three-year averages of the 99th% of annual daily maximum 1-hour averages should be less than 75 ppb [Federal Register, Vol. 75, No. 119, page 35520, dated June 22, 2010]. As EPA develops the implementation for the new primary standard, the older primary standards will no longer be used for attainment designation. For 2010, all of Georgia is in attainment of the sulfur dioxide standard. For additional summary data on this topic, see Appendix A.
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Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
SO2 Sites Total Reduced Sulfur MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 14: Sulfur Dioxide Monitoring Site Map
22 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
OZONE (O3)
GENERAL INFORMATION Ground level ozone is not a primary pollutant. Ozone is not directly emitted by any sources such as a mobile or stationary. Ground level ozone formation occurs though a complex series of chemical reactions that take place in the presence of strong sunlight (photochemical reactions). For these reactions to take place, certain ingredients (precursors) must be available. Since the reactions must take place in the presence of strong sunlight, ozone concentrations have a strong diurnal pattern (occurring daily and in daylight hours) (Figure 15).
Concentration (ppm)
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0 0:00 2:00 4:00 6:00 8:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00
Hour
Figure 15: Typical Urban 1-Hour Ozone Diurnal Pattern
The precursors1 to ozone are oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and photochemically reactive volatile organic compounds. Examples of the reactive organic substances that contribute to ozone formation are: hydrocarbons found in automobile exhaust (benzene, propane, toluene); vapors from cleaning solvents (toluene); and biogenic emissions (isoprene). Sources of VOCs in Georgia are shown in Figure 16, on the following page, and it is followed by a spatial view of VOC emissions across the state in Figure 17. In Georgia, biogenic emissions may be most common, but they are not part of the emission inventory. These figures are taken from the latest emissions report from EPA, based on 2008 data. Ozone is a colorless gas; however, when mixed with particles and other pollutants, such as NO2, the atmospheric reaction forms a brownish, pungent mixture (see Figure 18 and Figure 19). This type of pollution first gained attention in the 1940's as Los Angeles photochemical "smog". Since then, photochemical "smog" has been observed frequently in many other cities.
1 For a more complete discussion on ozone precursors, please see the NO2 section and the PAMS section of this report.
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(From EPAs Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 16: Common Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Georgia in 2008
(From EPAs Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 17: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View
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Figure 18: Demonstration of Ozone Formation
As indicated above, ozone is formed when its precursors come together in the presence of strong sunlight. The reaction only occurs when both precursors are present, and the reaction itself consumes the precursors as it produces ozone. The amount of ozone produced, assuming sufficient sunlight, is controlled by what is known as the "limiting reactant." This limiting reactant can be thought of in terms of household baking. You can only bake cookies until you run out of any one of the ingredients you need. If you run out of flour, it doesnt matter how much milk and sugar you have on hand; you cant make any more cookies without more flour. In the same way, ozone production can only occur until the process has consumed all of any one of the required ingredients. As it turns out, natural background hydrocarbon levels are quite low in Los Angeles, so in that area hydrocarbons are typically the reactant that limits how much ozone can be produced. The control measures that proved effective in reducing smog there involved reducing hydrocarbon emissions. These control measures and the science behind them have become relatively advanced because the Los Angeles ozone problem was so severe and developed so long ago. But many of the fundamental lessons learned about smog formation in Los Angeles over many years of research have proven to not apply in the same way in Georgia.
Figure 19: Ozone Formation Process
At the start of air quality control implementation in Georgia, the then-standard assumption was that Georgia was also hydrocarbon limited. However, the initial control measures seemed ineffective in actually reducing ozone levels. In time, researchers discovered that vegetation naturally emits large quantities of hydrocarbons. The solution to ozone control in Georgia, then, would have to focus on a
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different limiting reactant. Since there will always be strong sunshine in the summer, and there will always be oxygen, the only effective way left to control ozone production is to reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen.
Various control strategies have been put into place to hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen. With respect to reducing emissions from automobile engines, for example, the addition of relatively simple and inexpensive catalytic converters to existing engine design was a great leap forward in reducing hydrocarbon emissions and have been used with great success since the early 1970s. In Atlanta, while catalytic converters and many other VOC controls have been put into place, there have been control measures also put into place for the reduction of oxides of nitrogen including selective catalytic reduction (SCR) on power plant generators.
With the exception of the South DeKalb site, ozone in Georgia, unlike other pollutants previously discussed, is only monitored during the "summer" months (March through October), according to EPAs 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 58 monitoring requirements. The South DeKalb site began year-round monitoring as of November 2009. Many urban areas experience high levels of ground level ozone during the summer months. We also see high ozone levels in rural and mountainous areas. This is often caused by ozone and/or its precursors being transported by wind for many hundreds of miles.
A final difference between ozone and the other pollutants is that ozone is sometimes good. While ground level ozone is considered a hazardous pollutant, the ozone in the upper atmosphere, approximately 10-22 miles above the earths surface, protects life on earth from the suns harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. This ozone is gradually being depleted due to man-made products called ozone depleting chemicals, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), which when released naturally migrate to the upper atmosphere. Once in the upper atmosphere, the CFCs break down due to the intensity of the suns UV rays, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms. These atoms react with the ozone and destroy it. Scientists say that one chlorine atom can destroy as many as 100,000 "good" ozone molecules. The destruction of this ozone may lead to more harmful ultraviolet rays reaching the earths surface, causing increased skin cancer rates. This reduction in the protection provided by ozone in the upper atmosphere is usually referred to as the "ozone hole" and is most pronounced in polar regions.
In 2010, the GA Environmental Protection Division monitored ground level ozone at 20 sites throughout the state. Figure 20 shows the locations of all the ozone monitoring stations, including those monitors that were temporarily discontinued.
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O3 Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 20: Ozone Monitoring Site Map
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HEALTH IMPACTS Ozone and other photochemical oxidants such as peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and aldehydes are associated with adverse health effects in humans. Peroxyacetyl nitrate and aldehydes cause irritation that is characteristic of photochemical pollution. Ozone has a greater impact on the respiratory system, where it irritates the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and airways. Ninety percent of the ozone inhaled into the lungs is never exhaled. Symptoms associated with exposure include cough, chest pain, and throat irritation. Ozone can also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. In addition, ozone impairs normal functioning of the lungs and reduces the ability to perform physical exercise. Recent studies also suggest that even at lower ozone concentrations some healthy individuals engaged in moderate exercise for six to eight hours may experience symptoms. All of these effects are more severe in individuals with sensitive respiratory systems, and studies show that moderate levels may impair the ability of individuals with asthma or respiratory disease to engage in normal daily activities.
The potential chronic effects of repeated exposure to ozone are of even greater concern. Laboratory studies show that people exposed over a six to eight hour period to relatively low ozone levels develop lung inflammation. Animal studies suggest that if exposures are repeated over a long period (e.g. months, years, lifetime), inflammation of this type may lead to permanent scarring of lung tissue, loss of lung function, and reduced lung elasticity.
MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES Georgias ozone analyzers continuously measure the concentration of ozone in ambient air using the ultraviolet (UV) photometric method and are EPA-approved for regulatory air monitoring programs. The degree to which the UV light is absorbed is directly related to the ozone concentration. The ambient air is drawn into the sample bulkhead and is split into two gas streams. One gas stream flows through an ozone scrubber to become the reference gas. The reference gas then flows to the reference solenoid valve. The sample gas flows directly to the sample solenoid valve. The solenoid valves alternate the reference and sample gas streams between the two cells every 10 seconds. When cell A contains reference gas, cell B contains sample gas and vice versa. The UV light intensities of each cell are measured by detectors A and B. When the solenoid valves switch the reference and sample gas streams to opposite cells, the light intensities are ignored for several seconds to allow the cells to be flushed. The sampler calculates the ozone concentration for each cell and outputs the average concentration to both the front panel display and the analog or digital output. Data gained from the continuous monitors is used to determine compliance with the NAAQS for ozone.
ATTAINMENT DESIGNATION Ozone monitoring has been in place in the Atlanta area since 1980. The 1980 network consisted of two monitors located in DeKalb and Rockdale Counties. Currently the metro Atlanta ozone network includes ten monitors located in ten counties.
In July 1997 the US EPA issued an 8-hour ozone standard intended to eventually replace the older 1hour standard. This 8-hour standard is attained when the average of the fourth highest concentration measured is equal to or below 0.08 ppm (up to 0.085 ppm with third digit truncated, or cut off) averaged over three years (see Table 1; 62 FR 38894, July 18, 1997). Areas EPA has designated attainment with the 1-hour standard are immediately exempt from that standard, but thereafter are subject to the 8-hour standard. In the summer of 2005, metro Atlanta was designated attainment with the 1-hour standard. As of the printing of this report, then, only the 8-hour ozone standard is applicable in Georgia. On March 27, 2008 the ozone primary standard level was lowered to 0.075 ppm for the 8-hour averaging time, fourth maximum value, averaged over three years (Federal Register, Vol. 63, No. 60), but this was not implemented. Data shows that the Atlanta area will be in attainment with the 1997 standard of 0.085 ppm, but has not been officially redesignated as attainment. For attainment designations to be official, the maintenance state implementation plan
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(SIP) needs to be submitted and approved by EPA. GA EPD is currently working on the maintenance SIP.
The current Atlanta ozone nonattainment area consists of Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale, Barrow, Carroll, Hall, Newton, Spalding, and Walton Counties. All other metropolitan statistical areas in Georgia are currently in attainment. Catoosa County is party of the Chattanooga Early Action Compact area. Figure 21, on the next page, shows the boundaries of these nonattainment areas. The designations process for the 2008 ground-level ozone standards is ongoing.
A number of activities to aid in controlling the precursors to ozone formation have been implemented. A new State Implementation Plans (SIP) will be developed to assist in ozone reduction. As new areas are declared in nonattainment, these control measures may be expanded to include them. One activity could include a vehicle inspection program. However, as the vehicle fleet gets younger, this is not as beneficial. Other activities include installing controls on stationary emission sources, and the establishment of a voluntary mobile emissions reduction program. An example of such a program in metro Atlanta is called The Clean Air Campaign (CAC). Activities of The Clean Air Campaign include distributing daily ozone forecasts (as well as PM2.5 forecasts produced by EPD) during the ozone season to enable citizens in the sensitive group category as well as industries to alter activities on days that are forecasted to be conducive to ozone formation. This is also done for the Macon and Columbus areas. In addition to the daily forecasts, citizens have access to forecast and monitoring data on an as needed basis by either calling 1-800-427-9605 or by accessing the Georgia DNR/EPD Ambient Air Monitoring website at http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp/index.php. For a more detailed discussion concerning the CAC, see the section titled "Outreach and Education".
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Figure 21: Georgia's 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area Map
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Figure 22 shows how past air quality would relate to the new 0.075 ppm 8-hour standard (green line), and how current air quality relates to the old 0.085 ppm 8-hour standard (blue line). This chart was produced by comparing measurement data against both ambient standards. This demonstrates the relative strictness of each standard and shows how metro Atlantas air quality has changed over time. Despite a great deal of fluctuation, over the course of the past twenty-five years, there has been a gradual reduction in the number of days exceeding either ozone standard. A trendline, produced by regression analysis, was created for both the 8-hour standards. The trendlines for both 8-hour ozone standards show that the number of days that exceed the ozone standard has fallen by about a day each year over this time period. Even with the new, lower 8-hour ozone standard, the data shows a decrease in the number of days with ozone exceedances for the metro Atlanta area. In 2010, the metro Atlanta area had a total of 25 days that violated the current (0.075 ppm) 8-hour standard.
Exceedance Days
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
0.085 ppm
0.075 ppm
Year Linear (0.085 ppm)
Linear (0.075 ppm)
Figure 22: Metro Atlanta Ozone- Number of Violation Days per Year
Figure 23, on the following page, maps each metro Atlanta ozone monitor that exceeded the 8-hour ozone standard in 2010, and also indicates the monthly breakdown of the exceedances. Since the 8hour increment is calculated as a running 8-hour timeframe, there are a number of averages each day. Figure 23 shows the number of days that each monitor had 8-hour averages above the 0.075 ppm standard. The Kennesaw site shows the highest number of days with 8-hour ozone averages above 0.075 ppm, with a total of 11 days for the 2010 ozone season. Nine of the total ten ozone sites collecting data in the metro Atlanta area had exceedance days in 2010.
For additional ozone summary data, see Appendix A.
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Figure 23: Metro Atlanta Ozone Exceedance Map
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The following map was taken from the EPA document "Our Nations Air- Status and Trends through 2008". It shows the fourth maximum reading for the 8-hour ozone readings across the United States. It is interesting to see the correlation of higher readings with the more populated areas across the United States. Georgias fourth maximum ozone readings in 2008 were in the 0.060-0.075 ppm (light blue) and 0.076-0.095 ppm (yellow) ranges.
(From EPAs "Our Nations Air Quality-Status and Trends through 2008")
Figure 24: Ozone Concentrations in ppm, 2008 (Fourth Highest Daily Maximum 8-Hour Concentrations)
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LEAD (Pb)
GENERAL INFORMATION In the past, the Clean Air Act required extensive lead monitoring in order to detect the high levels of airborne lead that resulted from the use of leaded gasoline. With the phase-out of leaded gasoline, lead concentrations have decreased to nearly detection level by the late 1980s. Since then, the concentrations have hovered just above detection level. Based on data from EPAs Air Emission Sources for 2008, Georgias primary source of lead emissions is mobile sources (Figure 25 ). Other sources of lead emissions include industrial processes (metals processing, iron and steel production), combustion of solid waste, and lead-acid battery manufacturing. Figure 26, on the following page, shows a spatial view of Georgias lead emissions, also from EPAs Air Emission Sources, based on 2008 data.
(From EPAs Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 25: Common Sources of Lead in Georgia in 2008
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(From EPAs Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 26: Lead Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View
At the beginning of 2009, there were two dedicated lead monitors remaining in Georgia for comparison to the NAAQS lead standard. One was in the Atlanta area for monitoring long-term trends in ambient lead levels. The other was in Columbus for industrial source monitoring, given the historical issues with lead pollution in the area. At the end of 2008, EPA strengthened the standard and monitoring requirements. As well as lowering the standard, additional monitors were to be placed in areas with demonstrated lead emissions of 1.0 or more tons per year and urban areas of more than 500,000 (Federal Register, Vol. 73, No. 219, dated November 12, 2008). In response to this rule change, in December of 2009, GA EPD added a site to monitor another lead source in the Cartersville area. Since this time, on December 14, 2010, EPA lowered the source-oriented monitors for lead emission levels to 0.50 tons per year, and changed the population based requirement to include the ,,NCore network (40CFR58, Docket #EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0735). GA EPD is in the process of evaluating the lead emissions data, the current lead network, and any changes that may be needed to the lead network in Georgia.
The current criteria lead monitoring network is as indicated in Figure 27. For summary data on criteria lead monitoring, see Appendix A. In addition to the criteria network sites, lead is also being monitored at sites throughout Georgia as a trace metal in the Georgia Air Toxics Monitoring Network, the National Air Toxics Trends Station (NATTS), and with the PM2.5 speciation samplers. With the Air Toxics Network, the samples are taken from total suspended particles in the ambient air. The NATTS sampler is a PM10 sampler, and particles are sampled up to 10 microns in size. With the PM2.5 speciation sampler, samples are taken on particles up to 2.5 microns in size. For additional summary data on lead as collected as an Air Toxics trace metal, see Appendix D.
HEALTH IMPACTS Exposure to lead occurs mainly through inhalation and ingestion of lead in food, water, soil, or dust. Lead particles can re-enter the environment through re-entrainment of dust from vehicle traffic, construction activities, and agricultural activities. It accumulates in the blood, bones, and soft tissues. Lead can adversely affect the kidneys, liver, nervous system, and other organs. Excessive exposure to lead may cause neurological impairments, such as seizures, mental retardation, and behavioral
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disorders. Even at low doses, lead exposure is associated with damage to the nervous systems of fetuses and young children, resulting in learning deficits and lowered IQ. Recent studies also show that lead may be a factor in high blood pressure and subsequent heart disease. Lead can also be deposited on the leaves of plants, presenting a hazard to grazing animals. Lead deposition in soil puts children at particular risk exposure since they commonly put hands, toys, and other items in their mouths, which may come in contact with the lead-containing dust and dirt.
MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES Since lead is a particulate, the measurement for ambient air lead concentrations is performed using a manual method, unlike measurements for the gaseous pollutants discussed earlier (ozone, SO2, NO2 and CO). Samples are collected on 8" x 10" pre-weighed fiberglass filters with a high-volume total suspended (TSP) sampler for 24 hours, collecting particles with diameters of 100 microns or less. High volumes of ambient air in the flow range of 40-60 cubic feet per minute are sampled at a constant rate during the sampling period. This produces a uniform distribution of particles deposited on the sample filter downstream of the sampler inlet. Samples collected with the TSP high volume sampler can be used to determine the average ambient TSP concentration over a sampling period followed by subsequent analysis to determine the identity and quantity of inorganic metals present in the TSP. The filter sample is shipped to a laboratory for analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (commonly known as ICP-MS). Data gained from the criteria lead samplers is used to determine compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for lead.
In addition to the criteria lead network sites, lead is monitored as a trace metal in the Georgia Air Toxics Monitoring Network, the National Air Toxics Trends Station (NATTS), and with the PM2.5 speciation samplers. With the Air Toxics Network, samples are obtained with a High-Volume sampler collecting total suspended particles in the ambient air. The NATTS lead is sampled using a PM10 sampler, and particles are sampled up to 10 microns in size. With the PM2.5 speciation sampler, samples are collected that include particles up to 2.5 microns in size. All three of these additional sampling techniques also collect 24-hour samples on pre-weighed filters, have samples sent to a laboratory for analysis, and are analyzed with ICP-MS.
ATTAINMENT DESIGNATION The compliance with the national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for lead and its compounds is determined based on the assumption that all lead is elemental lead. In order to comply with both the primary and secondary standard, the concentration of lead in the air must have an arithmetic mean no higher than 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter averaged on a rolling 3-month basis (Federal Register, Vol. 73, No. 219, dated November 12, 2008). On October 15, 2008 this standard was changed from the original standard of 1.5 g/m3 averaged per calendar quarter that has been in place since October 5, 1978 (43 FR 46258). This new lead standard became effective on January 12, 2009 and was to be implemented by January 1, 2010. All of Georgia is currently in attainment of the lead standard. For additional summary data on this topic, see Appendix A.
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Lead Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 27: Lead Monitoring Site Map
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PARTICULATE MATTER
GENERAL INFORMATION Particulate matter is a broad range of material that consists of solid particles, fine liquid droplets, or condensed liquids absorbed onto solid particles. Airborne particulates are not a single pollutant as discussed for the other criteria pollutants, but rather a mixture of many different air pollutants. Primary sources that emit particles include combustion, incineration, construction, mining, metals smelting, metal processing, and grinding. Other sources include motor vehicle exhaust, road dust, wind blown soil, forest fires, open burning of vegetation for land clearing or waste removal, ocean spray, and volcanic activity.
There are two ways (primary and secondary) that particulate matter is formed. Primary particulate is emitted directly from a source, like a vehicles tailpipe or a factorys smokestack. However, a great deal of particulate matter is not directly emitted from such sources. In fact, the vast majority of primary air pollution is in the form of gases. Those gaseous air pollutants readily react in the atmosphere with oxygen and with each other. While many of those reactions produce other gases, they frequently produce particles. Particles formed through this process are known as secondary particulate matter. Examples of secondary particulates include:
Atmospheric sulfate particles, formed from the oxidation of gaseous SO2. Atmospheric nitrate particles, such as ammonium nitrate, formed from a complex series of reactions that transform gaseous NOx. Atmospheric calcium nitrate or sodium nitrate particulates formed from a series of atmospheric reactions involving gaseous nitric acid (HNO3) reacting with sodium chloride/calcium carbonate.
Since diesel combustion and vehicle exhaust are sources of particulate matter, efforts are being made to reduce these emissions by retrofitting diesel engines and making alternative diesel fuels available.
Retrofitting is defined as the addition of an emission control device designed to remove emissions from an exhaust engine. Currently, school buses and diesel powered commercial trucks are being retrofitted for emission reduction. One method is a particulate trap, which essentially filters exhaust from the engine. In some cases, as the particulate accumulates in the filter, the particulate is oxidized or burned off in order to regenerate the filter and reuse it. Regeneration is achieved by various techniques that reduce the temperature necessary to oxidize accumulated particulate matter. Disposable filters are also used when the particulate matter cannot be cleaned by oxidation. For information about Georgia EPDs program, go to http://www.georgiaair.org/retrofit/index.htm.
In addition to retrofitting, alternative diesel fuels are available that emit less particulate matter, as well as other pollutants. Ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel is one fuel that emits less sulfur and particulate matter. Biodiesel fuel emits less particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and air toxics. Also, emulsified diesel emits less nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
Particulate pollution may be categorized by size since there are different health impacts associated with the different sizes. The Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program currently monitors for two sizes of particles: PM10 (up to 10 microns in diameter) and PM2.5 (up to 2.5 microns in diameter). Both of these particles are very small in size. For example, Figure 28 shows how
Figure 28: Analogy of Particulate Matter Size to Human Hair
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approximately ten PM10 particles can fit on a cross section of a human hair, and approximately thirty PM2.5 particles would fit on a cross section of a hair.
Maps of each of the particulate matter networks (PM10, PM2.5 federal reference method, PM2.5 continuous, and PM2.5 speciation) are included in the following subsections that discuss particulate matter.
PM10
Particulate matter (PM) less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter is defined as PM10. These particles can be solid matter or liquid droplets from smoke, dust, fly ash, or condensing vapors that can be suspended in the air for long periods of time. PM10 represents part of a broad class of chemically diverse particles that range in size from molecular clusters of 0.005 microns in diameter to coarse particles of 10 microns in diameter (for comparison, an average human hair is 70-100 microns in diameter, as shown in the previous figure). PM results from all types of combustion. The carbonbased particles that result from incomplete burning of diesel fuel in buses, trucks, and cars are of major sources of PM10. Another important combustion source is the burning of wood in stoves and fireplaces in residential settings. Also of concern are the sulfate and nitrate particles that are formed as a by-product of SO2 and NO2 emissions, primarily from fossil fuel-burning power plants and vehicular exhausts.
For a map of the PM10 network, refer to Figure 29 on the next page.
HEALTH IMPACTS The U.S. national ambient air quality standard was originally based on particles up to 25-45 microns in size, termed "total suspended particles" (TSP). In 1987, EPA replaced TSP with an indicator that includes only those particles smaller than 10 microns, termed PM10. These smaller particles cause adverse health effects because of their ability to penetrate deeply into the lungs. The observed human health effects of PM include breathing and respiratory problems, aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, alterations in the body's defense system against inhaled materials and organisms, and damage to lung tissue. Groups that appear to be most sensitive to the effects of PM include individuals with chronic lung or cardiovascular disease, individuals with influenza, asthmatics, elderly people, and children.
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PM10 Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 29: PM10 Monitoring Site Map
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MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES The Georgia PM10 monitoring network consists of two types of EPA-approved reference or equivalent monitors. Both types of monitors are used to determine attainment with the PM10 standard. The first type of monitor is an integrated low-volume sampler that collects samples for a 24-hour period. Ambient air is sampled through an impaction inlet device that only allows particles with 10 microns or less diameter reach the filter media. The flow rate is controlled by an electronic mass-flow controller, which uses a flow sensor installed below the filter holder to monitor the mass flow rate and to control the speed of the motor accordingly. The filters are weighed in a laboratory before and after the sampling period. The change in the filter weight corresponds to the mass of PM10 particles collected. That mass, divided by the total volume of air sampled, corresponds to the mass concentration of the particles in the air.
The second type of PM10 monitor that Georgia EPD operates is a continuous monitor. The continuous monitor measures and records hourly particulate mass concentrations in ambient air. The monitor consists of three basic components; the central unit, the sampling pump and the sampling inlet hardware. In order to sample particles that are 10 microns or less, the inlet is designed to cut out particles larger than 10 microns in size. The monitor uses beta ray attenuation to calculate collected particle mass concentrations in units of micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3). A 14C element (60 Ci +/- 15 C) emits a constant source of low-energy electrons, also known as beta particles. The beta rays are attenuated as they collide with particles collected on a filter tape. The decrease in signal detected by the scintillation counter is inversely proportional to the mass loading on the filter tape. The pump turns on at the beginning of the hour and runs for 50 minutes. During the last 10 minutes of the hour, the pump is off while the tape transport operates, final mass reading is collected, and self-tests are performed. PM10 concentrations are displayed on the front panel and sent to the analog or digital output.
ATTAINMENT DESIGNATION The primary and secondary standards for PM10 are the same. In order for an area to be considered in compliance with the PM10 standard, the 24-hour concentration of 150 micrograms per cubic meter should not be exceeded more than once per year on average over three years [52 FR 24663, July 1, 1987, as amended at 62 FR 38711, July 18, 1997; 65 FR 80779, Dec. 22, 2000]. There was also an annual average standard for PM10 until December 17, 2006. EPA revoked the standard because of a lack of evidence of chronic health effects resulting from long-term exposure to moderate levels of PM10.
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40.0
35.0
30.0
Average Concentration (g/m3)+
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0 2002
2003
Macon Albany Brunswick
2004
2005
Savannah Rome* Columbus
2006 Year
2007
2008
Summerville E.Rivers School Augusta
2009
2010
Doraville Georgia Tech Sandersville
+ Includes exceptional event data for 2007 *Rome data consolidated for 131150003 and 131150005 in 2009
Figure 30: PM10 Annual Arithmetic Mean Chart
Figure 30 shows the annual PM10 averages in Georgia. On an annual basis, PM10 levels in Georgia are relatively low. However, there was an increase in the annual averages of PM10 for 2007 that is presumed to be a product of the Sweat Farm/Big Turnaround/Bugaboo Fire in the Okefenokee Swamp. Due to this wildfire, Georgia EPD requested from the U.S. EPA that two PM10 data points from the Albany site be flagged as an exceptional event, and not used in regulatory calculations. The U.S. EPA has approved this request. However, since the public was exposed to these levels of PM10 concentrations, they are included in Figure 30 and Figure 31, on the following page. In 2008, there was a noticeable reduction in annual average concentrations of PM10 across the state. In 2009, concentrations remained relatively consistent with the 2008 concentrations, with annual averages ranging from 18-27 g/m3. In 2010, there was an overall decrease in PM10 averages. The 2010 annual averages ranged from 16-25 g/m3.
Figure 31, below, shows how the same areas compare to the 24-hour standard for PM10, which remains set at 150 g/m3. The standard allows one exceedance per year averaged over a 3-year period, therefore this chart shows the second highest 24-hour average for each site or metro area. Although there is variation from year to year at any given site, the statewide 24-hour average is relatively stable. It is believed that concentrations of PM10 in 2007 were above normal due to excessive smoke from the Sweat Farm/Big Turnaround/Bugaboo Fire in the Okefenokee Swamp. For the 2007 data (shown in teal), the second highest 24-hour value of 187 g/m3 for the Albany site is
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one of the two exceptional event data points that were taken out of the dataset for regulatory calculations. The other data point was Albanys highest value of 189 g/m3. In 2008 (shown in dark
blue), almost all the sites show a marked decline in the second highest 24-hour concentration of PM10, with many sites concentrations below the level of the 2006 concentrations (shown in light green). The
majority of the sites continued to show a decrease in 24-hour PM10 concentrations for 2009 (shown in lighter blue), as well. A few sites showed an increase in concentrations, but all sites second highest 24-hour PM10 concentrations remained below 60 g/m3. With the 2010 data, variations continued
across the state, but the statewide second highest 24-hour PM10 concentrations remained almost the same. It appears that several sites outside of the metro Atlanta area had decreases in 24-hour PM10 data, while sites within the metro Atlanta area showed slight increases. All the sites continued to have second highest 24-hour PM10 concentrations below 60 g/m3 in 2010.
For additional PM10 summary data, see Appendix A.
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Statewide
Sandersville
Augusta
Columbus
Brunswick Georgia Tech
150 g/m3 limit
Site
E Rivers
Rome*
Albany
Doraville
Summerville
Savannah
Macon
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
Second Highest 24-Hour PM10 Concentration (g/m3)+ 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
+ Includes all data for 2007 that was excluded for exceptional events * Sites consolidated, data combined for Rome-Coosa Elem and Coosa High in 2009
Figure 31: Second Highest 24-Hour PM10 Concentration
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PM2.5
The U.S. EPA defines 2.5 particulate matter as solid particles and liquid droplets present in the air that are less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter. These particles and droplets are invisible to the naked eye. However, collectively, they may appear as a fog-like haze or clouds and are often referred to as "fine" particles.
Fine particles are produced by various sources, including fires, industrial combustion, residential combustion, and vehicle exhaust (Figure 32 and Figure 33). However, fine particles are also formed when combustion gases are chemically transformed. Fine particles can soil and accelerate the deterioration of man-made materials. In addition, fine particles impair visibility and are an important contributor to haze, particularly in humid conditions. The visibility effect is roughly doubled at 85% relative humidity as compared to humidity under 60% (U.S. EPA, 2004a). Based on data from EPAs Air Emission Sources for 2008, Georgias primary source of PM2.5 emissions is fires, with over 68,000 tons attributed to this emission source. This information is displayed in Figure 32. Figure 33, on the next page, shows a spatial view of Georgias PM2.5 emissions, also from EPAs Air Emission Sources, based on 2008 data.
Considerable effort is being undertaken to analyze the chemical composition of fine particles (PM2.5), so pollution control efforts can be focused in areas that create the greatest hazard reductions. Therefore, Georgia currently monitors fifty-three (53) particle species, which include gold, sulfate, lead, arsenic, and silicon. This speciation data is discussed further in the PM2.5 Speciation section.
(From EPAs Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 32: Common Sources of Particulate Matter 2.5 in 2008
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(From EPAs Air Emissions Sources)
Figure 33: Particulate Matter 2.5 Emission in Georgia in 2008 Spatial View
HEALTH IMPACTS Fine particles can penetrate into the sensitive regions of the respiratory tract, which make them a health concern. Recently published community health studies indicate that significant respiratory and cardiovascular-related problems are associated with exposure to fine particle levels below the existing particulate matter standards. In addition, fine particles are likely to cause the most serious health effects, which include premature death, hospital admissions from respiratory causes, and increased respiratory problems. Long-term exposure to particulate matter may increase the rate of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses and reduce the life span of an individual. Some data also suggests that fine particles can pass through lung tissues and enter the bloodstream. Therefore, children, the elderly, and individuals with cardiovascular disease or lung diseases such as emphysema and asthma are especially vulnerable.
MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES PM2.5 mass concentrations are measured with two types of methods. These two techniques consist of an integrated method and a continuous method. At sites where mass PM2.5 samples are taken on an integrated basis, the samples are measured using very similar techniques utilized for measuring PM10. The official reference method requires that samples are collected on Teflon filters with a PM2.5 sampler for 24 hours. A specialized particle size sorting device is used to filter the air, collecting only particles 2.5 microns in size and smaller. The filters are weighed in a laboratory before and after the sampling period. The change in the filter weight corresponds to the mass weight of PM2.5 particles collected. That mass weight, divided by the total volume of air sampled, corresponds to the mass concentration of the particles in the air for that 24-hour period. The reference method filters are used for attainment determinations. However, due to the delay in collecting each filter, shipping it to the laboratory, and weighing, weeks may pass before the results are known. Although this method is very accurate, it is not useful for real-time determinations of PM2.5 concentrations in ambient air.
At sites where the continuous method is utilized, Georgia EPD uses two types of instruments. One type GA EPD uses is the beta attenuation method. The continuous monitor measures and records hourly particulate mass concentrations in ambient air. The monitor consists of three basic
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components; the central unit, the sampling pump and the sampling inlet hardware. In order to sample particles that are 2.5 microns or less, the inlet is designed to cut out particles larger than 2.5 microns in size. The monitor uses beta ray attenuation to calculate collected particle mass concentrations in units of micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3). A 14C element (60 Ci +/- 15 C) emits a constant source of low-energy electrons, also known as beta particles. The beta rays are attenuated as they collide with particles collected on a filter tape. The decrease in signal detected by the scintillation counter is inversely proportional to the mass loading on the filter tape. The pump turns on at the beginning of the hour and runs for 50 minutes. During the last 10 minutes of the hour, the pump is off while the tape transport operates, final mass reading is collected, and self-tests are performed. PM2.5 concentrations are displayed on the front panel and sent to the analog or digital output. The sampling method for the BAM type of continuous PM2.5 monitor was approved as Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) in Notices of the Federal Register/Vol.73, No.49 dated March 12, 2008 when used with a "Very Sharp Cut Cyclone". When GA EPD begins operating the continuous BAM as an FEM with a "Very Sharp Cut Cyclone", these samplers will be used for making attainment decisions relative to the NAAQS.
At the other locations where Georgia EPD samples PM2.5 on a continuous basis, GA EPD uses the tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) method. These monitors use an inline PM2.5 cyclone for particle size selection and an inline Sample Equilibration System (SES), which uses a diffusion drying technique to minimize water vapor interference with the particle mass measurement. The instrument oscillates the sample filter on a microbalance continuously while particles are collected from ambient air. By measuring the change in the oscillation frequency, the change in filter mass can be determined. PM2.5 concentrations are displayed on the front panel and sent to the analog or digital output. As configured in the Georgia ambient air monitoring network, these analyzers (TEOM) are not approved as reference or equivalent method, and the data collected from these samplers cannot be used for making attainment decisions relative to the NAAQS.
Both types of PM2.5 continuous samplers are used to support development of air quality models and forecasts, including the Air Quality Index (AQI), and to provide the public with information about pollutant concentrations in real time. Continuous PM2.5 data is reported every hour, at fifteen minutes after the end of each hour, on Georgias Ambient Air Monitoring web page located at http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp/index.php. The immediate availability of this data allows the public to make informed decisions regarding their outdoor activities. Figure 34 shows the location of Georgias PM2.5 FRM monitors and Figure 35, on the following page, shows the location of PM2.5 continuous and speciation monitors.
47 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
PM2.5 FRM Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 34: PM2.5 Federal Reference Method Monitoring Site Map
48 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
PM2.5 Continuous Sites
PM2.5 Speciation Sites
MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 35: PM2.5 Continuous and Speciation Monitoring Site Map
49 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
As can be seen in Figure 36 on the following page, the three-year averages of 98th percentile of PM2.5 24-hour data are compared to the 24-hour standard of 35 g/m3. For the 2003-2006 data, there were
no exceptional events to consider. The 2007 data was affected by the Sweat Farm/Big
Turnaround/Bugaboo Fire in the Okefenokee Swamp. To show the complete data set that was
collected, the 2007 data includes the exceptional event data that was taken out for regulatory
purposes. Therefore, in Figure 36 the three-year average calculations including the 2007 data (20052007, 2006-2008, and 2007-2009) are not a regulatory comparison to the 24-hour standard. The 98th
percentile of 24-hour average concentrations have consistently decreased from the 2004-2006 to the 2008-2010 averages. All of the 2008-2010 98th percentile of 24-hour averages (shown in green) are well below the standard of 35 g/m3.
50 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
Site
Gordon Sandersville
Rossville Augusta Bungalow Rd.
Augusta Med. Col. Yorkville
Columbus Cussetta Rd. Columbus Airport** Columbus H.D. Valdosta Warner Robins Gainesville Gwinnett Brunswick Atl. F.S. # 8* Atl. E. Rivers Sch. Rome*** Albany Doraville South DeKalb Powder Springs Kennesaw Forest Park
Athens College Station Rd.** Sav. Mercer
Sav. Market St. Macon Forestry Macon Allied Chem.
0.00
35 g/m3 limit
5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00 98th Percentile Concentration (g/m3)+
04-06 05-07 06-08 07-09 08-10
+ Includes all data from 2007 that was excluded for exceptional events * Site was shut down from 9/06 to 12/08; 2004-2006 and 2005-2007 average not complete 3 years ** Sites established in 2005 *** Sites consolidated in 2009, data combined for Rome-Coosa Elem and Rome-Coosa High
Figure 36: PM2.5 Three-Year 24-Hour Averages, By Site
On the next page, Figure 37 also shows a non-regulatory comparison of three-year averages of annual PM2.5 data to the annual standard of 15.0 g/m3. This graph includes the PM2.5 exceptional
event data for 2007 to show the complete data set that was collected, as well. Therefore, in Figure 37
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
the 2005-2007, 2006-2008 and 2007-2009 annual averages are not a regulatory comparison to the standard. A few monitoring sites across Georgia have 2006-2008 averages (shown in dark blue) above the PM2.5 annual standard, but the majority of sites are below the annual standard for the 20062008 average. Almost all of the three-year averages are lower for the 2006-2008 timeframe, compared to previous averages. The 2007-2009 averages (shown in light blue) continue to show a decrease in concentration, and all of the 2007-2009 annual averages are below the annual standard of 15.0 g/m3. With the 2008-2010 averages (shown in green), the trend of decreasing three-year PM2.5 averages continues, and all of the 2008-2010 annual averages continue to be below the annual standard of 15.0 g/m3. The sites with the lower averages are generally in the south (Valdosta) and coastal areas (Savannah and Brunswick).
For additional PM2.5 summary data, see Appendix A.
52 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
Gordon Sandersville
Rossville
Augusta Bungalow Rd.
Augusta Medical Col. Yorkville
Columbus Cusseta Rd. Columbus Airport
Columbus Health Dept.
Site
Valdosta Warner Robins
Gainesville Gwinnett
Brunswick Atlanta Fire Station # 8**
15.0 g/m3 limit
Atlanta E. Rivers School
Rome*** Albany
Doraville South DeKalb Powder Springs
Kennesaw
Forest Park Athens College Station Rd.*
Savannah Mercer Savannah Market St.
Macon Forestry
Macon Allied Chem.
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0
12.5
15.0
17.5
Concentration (g/m3)+
04-06 05-07 06-08 07-09 08-10
+ Includes all data for 2007 that was excluded for exceptional events * Site established 2005; only 2005-2009 data used for graph ** Site was shut down 9/06 to 12/08; averages do not include three full years *** Sites consolidated in 2009, data combined for Rome-Coosa Elem and Rome-Coosa High
Figure 37: PM2.5 Three-Year Annual Averages, By Site
53 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
ATTAINMENT DESIGNATION In order for an area to be in attainment of the national primary and secondary annual ambient air PM2.5 standard, the area must have an annual arithmetic mean concentration less than or equal to 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter [62 FR 38711, July 18, 1997]. In addition, there is a 24-hour primary and secondary standard that requires that the three year average of the 98th percentile of the 24-hour concentration be less than or equal to 35 micrograms per cubic meter [71 FR 61144, October 17, 2006]. All sample analyses used for determining compliance with the standards must use a reference method based on information present in 40 CFR Appendix L or an equivalent method as designated in accordance with Part 53.
The PM2.5 annual standard attainment and nonattainment designations require three years of monitoring data. Therefore, Georgias initial attainment status was not determined until late 2004. Based on the three years of data (2001-2003), EPA officially declared several areas of Georgia in nonattainment of the annual standard. Nonattainment areas included Walker and Catoosa Counties, which are a part of the metro Chattanooga nonattainment area. All of Bibb County and portions of Monroe County were included in the Macon nonattainment area. Floyd County itself was declared a nonattainment area. Finally, the metro Atlanta nonattainment area was also declared. This includes Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Spalding, and Walton Counties, along with portions of Heard and Putnam Counties. Figure 38, on the next page, illustrates the boundaries of Georgias PM2.5 annual standard nonattainment areas. Currently, based on 2007-2009 data, all of Georgia is meeting the PM2.5 annual standard, but has not been officially designated as in attainment. For attainment designations to be official, the maintenance state implementation plan (SIP) needs to be submitted and approved by EPA. GA EPD is currently working on the maintenance SIP.
For the PM2.5 24-hour standard, the entire state of Georgia is classified as in attainment. The 24-hour standard is also based on three years of monitoring data, and this attainment status is based on the 2005-2007 data.
54 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
Figure 38: Georgia's PM2.5 Nonattainment Area Map Figure 39, on the next page, shows maps that were taken from the EPA document "Our Nations Air Status and Trends through 2008". The first map shows PM2.5 annual average concentrations across the United States for 2008, and the second map shows the 24-hour average concentrations. This gives a comparison of Georgias PM2.5 data, compared to the rest of the country. It appears that for Georgia, the annual average concentrations were in the 4.3-12.0 g/m3 (light blue) and 12.1-15.0 g/m3 (dark blue) ranges. The 24-hour average concentrations were in the 16-35 g/m3 (light blue) range across Georgia.
55 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
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Annual Concentrations
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
Daily Concentrations
(From EPAs "Our Nations Air- Status and Trends through 2008")
Figure 39: PM2.5 Annual and 24-Hour Concentrations across the United States, 2008
56 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
PM2.5 SPECIATION
As required by the National PM2.5 Speciation program (40 CFR 58), EPD monitors the mass concentration of fine particulate matter (in micrograms per cubic meter of air) along with the chemical composition of those particles. Attempts to control the concentration of fine particulate matter are a national priority through listings in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Therefore, regulations intended to reduce levels of fine particulate matter are now being implemented on a widespread basis. The desired reduction of fine particulate matter concentrations is expected to produce benefits in human health and assist in the improvement of visibility by reducing the presence of haze.
It is known that particulate matter has varying health effects depending of their size and chemical composition. The particles that compose fine particulate matter are not uniform. While they are all smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, their size varies. Some fine particles are emitted into the air directly from engine exhaust, fossil fuel combustion, unpaved roads, and the tilling of fields; others are formed in the atmosphere through reactions between gaseous pollutants. Each individual particle, regardless of its source, has a distinct chemical composition. The overall composition of all particles that make up the fine particulate matter in a given volume of air may also vary, depending on local sources and a variety of other factors. Within the make-up of the particulate matter, some chemicals are more toxic than others. There has been some disagreement on whether the quantity or toxicity of fine particulate matter is the main culprit. This reinforces the need to monitor and analyze both the species of particulate matter and weight of the species.
Georgia currently monitors fifty-three species, which include gold, sulfate, lead, arsenic, and silicon. However, there are only approximately six chemicals that are detected frequently. Of these, sulfate and organic carbon are detected in the highest concentrations, with magnitudes of up to five to nine times greater than the other major species. Figure 40 illustrates the average concentrations of these six chemicals from 2003 to 2010. The chemical elements typical of the Earths crust are grouped together as "crustal". All of the sites are shown for one bar, showing how each site makes up the total of each of the major constituents of the speciation data. Note that the Rossville site began collecting data in 2005; therefore, the blue bars are not included in the 2003 and 2004 data. With the exception of the 2007 data, which was affected by the Okefenokee Swamp wildfire, there seems to be a general downward trend in the data. Below the figures is a listing of the most significant chemical constituents of fine particulate matter.
Refer to Figure 35 for a map of Georgias PM2.5 Speciation monitors.
57 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
Other
Crustal
Nitrate
Species Sulfate
2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
0
5
Macon
10 Athens
15 Douglas
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
Concentration (ug/m3)
South DeKalb Rome* Columbus Augusta Rossville** * Rome consolidated 2009 **Rossvile started 2005
Ammonium Ion Elemental Carbon Organic Carbon
Figure 40: Speciation, by Species, 2003-2010
58 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
PREDOMINANT SPECIES FOUND IN PM2.5
Ammonium Ion: commonly released by fertilizer production, livestock production, coke production, and some large refrigeration systems. Ironically, it can be emitted by NOx control systems installed on large fossil fuel combustion systems, which use ammonia or urea as a reactant.
Sulfate products: formed during the oxidation of SO2 in the atmosphere. SO2 is primarily produced by coal burning boilers.
Nitrate products: formed through a complex series of reactions that convert NOx to nitrates. Vehicle emissions and fossil fuel burning produce NOx.
Crustal products: are components that are the result from the weathering of Earths crust. They may include ocean salt and volcanic discharges. Crustal products include aluminum, calcium, iron, titanium, and silicon. These components are released by metals production, and can be resuspended in the atmosphere by mechanisms that stir up fine dust, such as mining, agricultural processes, and vehicle traffic.
Elemental carbon: carbon in the form of soot. Sources of elemental carbon include diesel engine emissions, wood-burning fireplaces, and forest fires.
Organic carbon: consist of hundreds of organic compounds that contain more than 20 carbon atoms. These particles may be released directly, but are also formed through a series of chemical reactions in the air, mostly as a result of the burning of fossil fuels and wood.
Data on the composition of fine particulate matter is a useful input to scientific models of air quality. Ultimately, it will help scientists and regulators track the progress and effectiveness of newly implemented pollution controls. The data will also improve scientific understanding of the relationship between particle composition, visibility impairment, and adverse human health effects.
Monitoring for the chemical speciation of fine particulate matter began late in 2001, therefore, limited data is available. As the data set becomes more robust, other conclusions may be drawn. However, some general observations can already be made. The concentrations of sulfate and organic carbon are generally less at the Douglas-General Coffee site than at the remaining seven sites. This is expected since the sulfate and organic carbon fractions are mainly caused by human activities. The Douglas-General Coffee site is considered a rural background site and will be used in future comparisons between rural and urban areas.
Figure 41 presents a different view of the same data to facilitate visualization of trends. Each site is shown with all species making up the composition of each bar. Each year is shown separately.
59 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
Rossville**
Augusta
Columbus
Rome*
Species
South DeKalb
2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
0
2
Ammonium Ion
4
6
Elemental Carbon
8
10
12
14
16
18
Concentration (ug/m3)
Organic Carbon Sulfate Nitrate Crustal Other *Rome consolidated 2009 **Rossville started 2005
Douglas
Athens
Macon
Figure 41: PM2.5 Speciation, by Site, 2003-2010
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Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
To look at the data by site, there is a general trend downward of the speciated parameters, except in
2007 when the data was affected by the Sweat Farm/Big Turnaround/Bugaboo Fire in the
Okefenokee Swamp, as discussed in the PM10 and PM2.5 sections. The rural background site, Douglas, continues to show the smallest total average concentration. In 2010, the Douglas site had about 7 g/m3 overall concentration. The urban areas of Augusta, Rome, Columbus, and Atlanta had overall concentrations around 10 g/m3.
Ammonium ion concentrations (shown in pink) are relatively even statewide, with concentrations lowest at the Douglas site. The concentrations ranged from 0.50 g/m3 at the Douglasville site to 0.98 g/m3 at the Augusta site in 2010. Ammonium ion is the third largest single contributor to the total
speciation make up.
The South DeKalb area has the highest elemental carbon concentration, 0.8575 g/m3 shown in
burgundy, which is no surprise given the site location on major interstate trucking corridors. Cities with
less heavy vehicle traffic generally have lower concentrations. The Douglas site has the least elemental carbon concentration, with 0.18 g/m3 in 2010.
Organic carbon concentrations (shown in green) are also relatively consistent throughout the state, usually consisting of about 3-5 g/m3 of the total speciation concentration. Organic carbon concentrations are much higher than typical ammonium ion or elemental carbon concentrations, having one of the largest contributions to the total PM2.5 mass concentrations.
Sulfate (shown in dark blue) is also found in higher concentrations, with concentrations around 2.1-2.8 g/m3 in 2010. Concentrations are relatively consistent statewide, though somewhat lower in rural areas, and their relatively large observed mass means that they are also a major contributor to overall PM2.5 mass concentrations.
Nitrate concentrations (shown in purple) are relatively small (0.27-0.76 g/m3 in 2010), usually contributing the fourth or fifth largest single component of the total five major constituents. Atmospheric forms of nitrate can be formed from the conversion of NOx. Other forms of nitrate can be found in fertilizers, animal and human organic waste, medications, and used in welding.
Crustal matter concentrations (shown in gray) are generally one of the lowest speciation concentrations (0.24-0.39 g/m3 in 2010) and consistent in most areas. Rome and Macon have in
some years recorded unexpectedly high crustal matter concentrations. This may be attributed to local
industry, or possibly a sign of poor dust control at agricultural, construction, or mining operations in
those areas.
The section labeled ,,Other (shown in orange) is a make-up of all the rest of the compounds not
included in the five major contributors or crustal make up. This is a total of the remaining 43 compounds in the speciation sample. Concentrations range from 1.15 to 1.48 g/m3 in 2010.
For PM2.5 speciation summary data, see Appendix B.
To show a comparison of Georgias PM2.5 speciation data to the rest of the United States, the following map was taken from the EPAs "Our Nations Air- Status and Trends through 2008." In Georgia, as well as the other states in the Southeast, sulfate and organic carbon are the main contributors of PM2.5 data, while nitrate is barely a contributor. In the North and the West, sulfate and organic carbon are still major contributors;, however, nitrate (shown in red) also shows considerable contribution. Nitrates predominant sources originate from highway vehicles, non-road mobile, electric utilities, and industrial boilers. In the East, the main sources of sulfate are electric utilities and industrial boilers. The major sources of organic carbon are highway vehicles, non-road mobile, waste burning, wildfires, and vegetation. In addition, woodstoves and fireplaces are principal contributors to
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
organic carbon in the West. The composition of PM2.5 seems to vary across the country depending on predominant sources.
(From EPAs "Our Nations Air- Status and Trends through 2008")
Figure 42: Four-Season Average of PM2.5 Composition Data for 15 U.S. Cities MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES
Particle speciation measurements require the use of a wide variety of sampling and analytical techniques, but all generally use filter media to collect the particles to be analyzed. Laboratory techniques currently in use are gravimetric (microweighing); X-ray fluorescence and particle-induced X-ray emission for trace elements; ion chromatography for anions and selected cations; controlled combustion for carbon; and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) for semi-volatile organic particles.
ATTAINMENT DESIGNATION Particle speciation measurements are performed to support the regulatory, analytical, and public health purposes of the program. There are no ambient air quality standards regarding the speciation of particles.
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Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
ACID PRECIPITATION
Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
In 2010, acid precipitation was not monitored at GA EPDs sites due to budget constraints. As the state budget allows, acid precipitation data will be collected at a future time. When collecting data, the samples were collected weekly and were weighed and analyzed for acidity, conductivity, and selected compounds. There are no national or state standards for acid precipitation, but it is generally desirable for rain to have a relatively neutral pH. However, in many regions of industrialized nations, rainfall absorbs air emissions that make it acidic, with lower pH numbers. Most of the culprits of this acidification are sulfur and nitrogen compounds, and the result is rain that contains excess acidity from sulfuric acid and nitric acid. The excess acidity in the rain causes damage to buildings and vehicles, and can acidify ponds and small lakes to the point of killing off all life in them. Figure 43 shows a diagram of the acid rain deposition process.
Figure 43: Process of Acid Rain Deposition
Figure 44: Acid Rain Monitors Georgias temporarily discontinued Acid Rain monitoring network is shown in Figure 45, on the following page.
63 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Chemical Monitoring Activities
Acid Rain Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 45: Acid Rain Monitoring Site Map
64 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
PHOTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT MONITORING STATIONS (PAMS)
GENERAL INFORMATION Ozone is the most prevalent photochemical oxidant and an important contributor to photochemical pollutants. The understanding of the chemical processes in ozone formation and the specific understanding of the atmospheric mixture in nonattainment areas nationwide are essential. To better understand the chemical processes and develop a strategy for solving those problems, EPA revised the ambient air quality surveillance regulations. In February 1993, Title 40, Part 58 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR Part 58) was developed to include provisions for enhanced monitoring of ozone, oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), selected carbonyl compounds, and monitoring of meteorological parameters. These parameters would be monitored at Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS). Stated in Title 40, Part 58 of the Code of Federal Regulation (40 CFR Part 58), the increased monitoring of ozone and its precursors concentrations allows for the characterization of precursor emissions within the area, transport of ozone and its precursors, and the photochemical processes leading to nonattainment. By expanding on the study of ozone formation, PAMS monitoring sites better serve as a means to study trends and spatial and diurnal variability.
As described in the Technical Assistance Document (TAD), PAMS monitoring was to be implemented in cities that were classified as serious, severe, or extreme for ozone nonattainment. The classifications were based on the number of exceedances of the ozone standard, and the severity of those exceedances. Nineteen areas nationwide were required to implement a PAMS network. In the Atlanta metropolitan area, a network of four sites was established beginning in 1993. The monitoring sites were selected depending on the pollutants monitored in relation to the prevailing winds in the area. The Yorkville site serves as a Type 1 site. It is a rural background site, upwind of the city, which aids in determining the role of transport of pollutants into the Atlanta area. The South DeKalb and Tucker sites were the primary and secondary wind directions for an urban core-type site, serving as Type 2 sites. These sites are expected to measure the highest precursor concentrations of NOx and VOCs in the Atlanta area. The Conyers site is the downwind site where titration of the precursors has occurred and the ozone concentrations should be at their highest. The Conyers site serves as a Type 3 site. Until the end of 2006, this was the set up of the PAMS network. At the end of 2006, the Tucker site was shut down. From that point, South DeKalb has served as the urban core-type site. When the PAMS network was originally designed, there was a plan for a Type 4 site, which samples the air once it has returned to background levels far downwind from the metropolitan area. However, when the network was instituted, this type of site was not used. The PAMS network as it was set up for the 2010 monitoring year can be seen in Figure 46.
65 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
PAMS Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 46: PAMS Monitoring Site Map
66 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
Of the fifty-six PAMS compounds monitored, the data consistently shows the same top ten volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for all three sites. These compounds are isoprene, m/p xylene, toluene, propane, ethane, isopentane or isopentane/cyclopentane, n-butane and n-pentane. Propane, ethane, isopentane, n-butane, and n-pentane have a limited reactivity for ozone formation and therefore were the most prevalent of the volatile organic compounds measured. However, when the characterization of the top ten species is based upon contributions to ozone formation potential, the list is slightly different.
Isoprene, the tracer for VOC emissions from vegetation, is by far the largest contributor to ozone formation at every site. Isoprene is a 5 carbon organic compound naturally released in large quantities by conifer trees. These trees are very abundant in the Southeastern United States contributing a significant portion to the overall carbon loading of the atmosphere in this region. Isoprenes chemical structure makes it a highly reactive substance with a short atmospheric lifetime and large ozone forming potential.
Figure 47, on the next page, compares the seasonal occurrence of isoprene from 2003 to 2010. The figure represents a combination of the 6-day, 24-hour data from the three PAMS sites, and concentrations are given in parts per billion Carbon (ppbC). Evidence of isoprenes natural origin is shown in Figure 47, where the ambient concentration is essentially non-existent from November to May. In Figure 47, all three sites exhibit the seasonal cycle of isoprene, with an occasional spike outside the consistent cycle. The site with the highest concentration of isoprene appears to vary year to year. With the Yorkville and Conyers sites being in a rural area, or semi-rural area, one would expect to see higher levels of isoprene. This has been true for most years. As part of the seasonal cycle, in 2003, Conyers had the highest concentration with 16 ppbC, in 2004 Yorkville had the highest with 17 ppbC, in 2005, South DeKalb had the highest with 18 ppbC, in 2006, Conyers had the highest concentration with 22 ppbC, and in 2007 Yorkville had the highest concentration with 35 ppbC. With the 2008 data added, Yorkville had the highest concentration again, with a spike outside of the normal season, with a reading of 44 ppbC. In 2009, the South DeKalb site had the highest concentration, with 17 ppbC. With the 2010 data, there appears to be a slight increase of isoprene at all three PAMS sites. The Conyers site showed the highest concentration, with 28 ppbC in 2010.
During the spring of 2009, the laboratory facility moved its location, and the PAMS canister data was not processed. As a result, there is a break in the data from March until June of 2009 in the following two figures.
67 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
Concentration (ppbC)
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
35 30 25 20 15 10
5 0
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
South DeKalb
Date Yorkville
Figure 47: Isoprene Yearly Profile, 2003-2010
Conyers
The anthropogenic compounds detected at all sites with the highest ozone formation potential were toluene, m/p xylene, propylene, ethylene, and isopentane. The sources for these five compounds are varied. All five compounds are emitted by mobile sources, with ethylene being an important tracer for vehicle emissions. Toluene, generally the most abundant species in urban air, m/p xylene, and isopentane are also emitted by solvent use and refinery activities. Toluene reaches the air from a variety of sources such as combustion of fossil fuels and evaporative emissions. This hydrocarbon is in motor vehicle fuel and is also used as a common solvent in many products such as paint. It has a substituted benzene ring possessing modest atmospheric reactivity. Figure 48, on the next page, compares the seasonal occurrence of toluene from 2003 to 2010. Again, this figure is a combination of the 6-day, 24-hour data from the three PAMS sites, and concentrations are given in parts per billion Carbon (ppbC).
68 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
Concentration (ppbC)
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10
5 0
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
South DeKalb
Date Yorkville
Conyers
Figure 48: Toluene Yearly Profile, 2003-2010
As shown in Figure 48, the atmospheric levels of toluene are relatively constant throughout the year, suggesting a steady level of emissions year-round. There is an occasional spike in concentration, but no evident high or low pattern for the past seven years. Overall, the PAMS site that is situated in the urban area (South DeKalb) has slightly higher levels of toluene, while the sites located on the outskirts of the Atlanta metropolitan area (Yorkville and Conyers) show lower levels of toluene. Yorkville appears to have an upward swing throughout 2006, but the levels decline through 2009 for all three sites. As the 2010 data is added, there appears to be a slight increase of toluene at the South DeKalb site. The highest concentration was found at the South DeKalb site, with 15 ppbC. As data is collected in the future, this site can be examined for a possible trend. The jaggedness of these graphs is an artifact of the sampling frequency.
69 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
In the following graph, Figure 49, the daily profiles of toluene and isoprene are plotted. This graph uses data gathered in the summer, and shows a constant background of toluene emissions with higher levels resulting from morning and evening rush hour traffic. The graph shows the typical diurnal, or daily, profile for a typical urban area. During morning hours, when the nocturnal inversion has not yet broken, emissions become trapped within the boundary layer, resulting in a temporary increase in atmospheric concentration. Nighttime toluene levels are constant from midnight to 5:00 am. From 6:00 am to 7:00 am, increased vehicular activity releasing emissions into an atmosphere with limited dispersing ability produces an increase in the ambient concentration. This behavior is typical of area source anthropogenic emissions with modest to long atmospheric lifetimes. Isoprene, on the other hand, exhibits very different behavior. At night, emission levels are at zero as photosynthesis ceases. At sunrise (about 6:00 am) concentrations begin to rise and continue to do so throughout the daylight hours. The vertical flux, or mass input per unit area, in the atmosphere of this substance is massive, being only slightly influenced by the enhanced mid-morning mixing. This effect can be seen at 9:00 am when a slight drop in concentration occurs followed by a quick resumption in rise.
Concentration (ppbC)
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0 0:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 Time of Day
Toluene
Isoprene
Figure 49: Toluene & Isoprene, Typical Urban Daily Profile
70 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
CARBONYL COMPOUNDS
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
Carbonyl compounds define a large group of substances, which include acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde. These compounds can act as precursors to ozone formation. Some of the sources of carbonyl compounds include vehicle exhaust and the combustion of wood. Depending on the amount inhaled, exposure to these compounds can cause irritation to the eyes, ears, nose, and throat, dizziness, and damage to the lungs. Each of the seven carbonyls compounds that Georgia EPD monitors is discussed further in the following paragraphs. The South DeKalb site is part of both the PAMS network and the National Air Toxics Trends Stations (NATTS) network, and samples every six days throughout the year, and every three hours throughout the summer. Until the end of 2008, carbonyls were monitored at the Savannah, Dawsonville, and Brunswick sites as part of the Air Toxics Network, and sampled every twelve days. In 2008, certain samplers within Georgias ambient air monitoring network were temporarily discontinued, including the Brunswick carbonyls site. The following section includes historical carbonyls data from the Brunswick site for comparison. For a map of monitoring locations, including temporarily discontinued monitors, see Figure 50.
Acrolein is primarily used as an intermediate in the manufacture of acrylic acid. It can be formed from the breakdown of certain organic pollutants in outdoor air, from forest fires and wildfires, as well as from vehicle exhaust. It is also found in cigarette smoke.
Acetaldehyde is mainly used as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. Acetaldehyde is formed as a product of incomplete wood combustion (in fireplaces and woodstoves, forest fires, and wildfires), pulp and paper production, stationary internal combustion engines and turbines, vehicle exhaust, and wastewater processing.
Formaldehyde is used mainly to produce resins used in particleboard products and as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. The major sources of emissions to the air are forest fires and wildfires, marshes, stationary internal combustion engines and turbines, pulp and paper plants, petroleum refineries, power plants, manufacturing facilities, incinerators, cigarette smoke, and vehicle exhaust.
Acetone is used industrially as a reactant with phenol to produce bisphenol A, which is an important component of polymers. It is used in nail polish removers, superglue removers, and as a drying agent. It is also used to dissolve plastic. Acetone is highly volatile and evaporates quickly. Inhalation of acetone can lead to liver damage.
Benzaldehyde is the simplest form of the aromatic aldehydes. It has an almond scent and is used in the food industry. It is also used as an industrial solvent, and is used in making pharmaceuticals, plastic additives, and aniline dyes. Liquid phase oxidation or chlorination of toluene can form benzaldehyde. In addition, benzaldehyde can be formed from a reaction between benzene and carbon monoxide. The combustion of gasoline, diesel fuel, wood burning, and incinerators emit benzaldehyde into the atmosphere.
Butyraldehyde is used in the manufacture of synthetic resins, solvents, and plasticizers. It is emitted into the air by combustion of gasoline, diesel fuel, and wood.
Propionaldehyde is a highly volatile compound that is produced or used in making propionic acid, plastics, rubber chemicals, alkyd resins, and is also used as a disinfectant and preservative. It is released into the atmosphere by combustion of gasoline, diesel fuel, wood, and polyethylene.
71 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
Carbonyls Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 50: Carbonyls Monitoring Site Map
As part of the PAMS network, the South DeKalb site collects 3-hour samples of carbonyls during the summer months (June, July, and August). Samples are collected at hours 6:00, 9:00, 12:00, and 15:00, every three days. The average concentrations (shown in micrograms per cubic meter) of all the 3-hour samples of carbonyls collected during those months for 2005 through 2010 have been
72 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
combined for a given hour and are shown in Figure 51. The early morning ambient concentrations are generally lower for all constituents. Almost all of the concentrations appear to peak at the 12:00 hour for all the carbonyls components except benzaldehyde, which tends to peak at the 15:00 hour. There are a few visible changes when comparing the 2005 data through 2010. All of the concentrations seem to gradually increase year to year from 2005 to 2007, and then decrease with the 2008 concentrations. With the 2009 carbonyl data, the average concentrations increased, particularly formaldehyde concentrations, which more than doubled from the 2008 concentrations. In 2010, almost every annual average concentration decreased to concentrations close to the 2008 averages. Formaldehyde decreased by almost half from 2009 to 2010. Acetaldehyde, acetone, and formaldehyde continue to be the biggest contributors, and generally follow the same pattern with the averages increasing from the 6:00 to 9:00, and again from the 9:00 to 12:00 hours, then decreasing at the 15:00 hour.
16 14 12 10
8 6 4 2 0
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Figure 51: Average South DeKalb 3-Hour Carbonyls, June-August, 2005-2010
73 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
The next two graphs address the 24-hour samples of carbonyls data. Due to the differences in
sampling method, analysis method, and the sites collecting acrolein data, acrolein is discussed
separately in later paragraphs. In 2009 and 2010, the Brunswick site did not collect carbonyl data;
therefore the following graphs will not have those years of data for the Brunswick site. In Figure 52,
below, the average concentration of the remaining carbonyls is compared with the total number of
detections at each of the sampling sites. Because the South DeKalb site collected data every six days
with the PAMS and NATTS networks, while Savannah, Dawsonville, and Brunswick collected data
every twelve days with the Air Toxics Network (discussed in next section), the detections are shown
as a percentage of the overall samples taken. A detection of any given pollutant is counted as any
number that is above half the limit of detection. To compare the data collected from 2005 to 2010,
there are some noticeable changes. The Dawsonville site had a visible increase in concentration from 2006 to 2007, almost tripling from 7.7 g/m3 to 21.3 g/m3. Then in 2008, the Dawsonville sites concentration dropped back down to 6.3 g/m3. In both 2009 and 2010, the Dawsonville sites total average concentration has shown an increase, up to 13.6 g/m3 in 2010. The Brunswick site showed a lower average concentration from 2005 to 2006 (18.4 g/m3 to 10.5 g/m3), remained the same from 2006 to 2007, and then dropped again from 2007 to 2008 (10.6 g/m3 to 6.6 g/m3). Again, the
Brunswick site did not collect carbonyls data in 2009 and 2010. Until 2010, the South DeKalb site
consistently had the highest concentrations of all four sites. However, in 2010, the Savannah sites total average concentration had a significant increase, from 7.1 g/m3 in 2009 to 33.2 g/m3 in 2010.
This is more than a fourfold increase from 2009 to 2010 at the Savannah site, and is attributed to all
the carbonyls constituents. As stated earlier, carbonyls are emitted into the air by combustion of
gasoline and wood, and have industrial uses. Overall, the number of detections above detection limit,
and average concentrations in this graph were lowest in 2008. The percent detections have remained
relatively the same from 2007 to 2010 (around 40-60%).
35.0
100.0
Total Average Concentration (ug/m3) Percent Detections
30.0 75.0
25.0
20.0 50.0
15.0
10.0 25.0
5.0
0.0
0.0
2005
2006
Name of Site Concentration 2007 2008 2009 2010 2005
2006
Detects 2007 2008
2009
2010
Figure 52: Average 24-Hour Carbonyls Concentration and Number of Detects, by Site, 20052010
74 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
Figure 53, below, shows the six of the seven species in the analyte group according to their statewide annual abundance, based on percentage of detections and average concentration. A graph of the seventh carbonyl, acrolein, is shown separately, as it is collected with the canister method and involves all the Air Toxics sites (discussed below). A gradient is evident from this graph below, with formaldehyde and acetone as the most abundant carbonyls. For the most part, it appears that the number of detections track the average concentration. With the higher average concentration, there are higher percent detections. Acetaldehyde does not follow this pattern, however, having a higher percentage of detections compared to lower concentrations. For all the compounds, there appears to be a slight decrease from the 2005 to 2006 data, and then an increase from the 2006 to 2007 data. In 2008, there is a decrease in both concentrations and detections (shown in light green). With the 2009 data (shown in tan), the average concentrations and percent detections maintained about the same levels as the 2008 data. However, as stated earlier, the Brunswick site was not included in these calculations, as data was not collected at this site in 2009. This could be affecting the 2009 values. In 2010, all of the total average concentrations showed an increase. This 2010 increase is primarily attributed to the Savannah sites concentrations, as seen in the above graph. The proportion of each compound remained the same throughout all six years of data, with the biggest contributors (formaldehyde, acetone, and acetaldehyde) continuing through the years.
25.0
100.0
Total Average Concentration (g/m3) Percentage of Detections
20.0 75.0
15.0 50.0
10.0
25.0 5.0
0.0
0.0
2005
2006
Name of Carbonyl Species
Concentration 2007 2008 2009 2010 2005 2006
Detects 2007 2008
2009
2010
Figure 53: Average 24-Hour Carbonyls Concentration vs. Number of Detects, by Species, 20052010
Due to EPA research to improve acrolein sampling and analysis, a new method was developed by EPA and implemented in Georgia in July of 2007. The sampling method uses the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) canister collection method, and the analysis method uses gas chromatograph and mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). This change occurred due to EPAs findings during the new School Air Toxics Monitoring Initiative. For more information on this study, please see EPAs website, http://www.epa.gov/ttnamti1/airtoxschool.html. Georgia EPD began using the new method for the National Air Toxics Trends Station (NATTS) at the South DeKalb site and at the other 14 Air Toxics sites (discussed in the next section). In previous years, acrolein was sampled, along with the six other carbonyls, with the method of a dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) cartridge and analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at select sites across the state. The DNPH sampling and HPLC analysis method was used on the data that is displayed in the three previous carbonyls graphs. Since acrolein is no longer collected with DNPH and analyzed with HPLC, it is not shown in the
75 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
previous carbonyls graphs. Before the new methods were used, in 2005, there were a total of 4 detections above detection limit, in 2006 there were zero detections, and in 2007 there was one detection above the detection limit.
With the canister collection and GC/MS analysis method and additional sampling locations, the
number of acrolein detections above detection limit drastically increased in 2007. Several sites had
100% detection, and all sites were above 80% ( Figure 54) in 2007. There appears to be variation in concentrations across the state. The average concentrations for the six month period from July through December in 2007 ranged from 0.399 g/m3 at the Savannah site to 1.04 g/m3 at the Brunswick site (using half the detection limit for non-detected
samples). This is over two times the difference between the lowest concentration to the highest. In
2008, there is also a large difference between the lowest and highest concentrations. The Macon site had a concentration of 0.25 g/m3 and the Milledgeville site had 1.46 g/m3, which is almost six times
the difference between the two sites. It appears that most sites had a decrease in concentration from
2007, except the Milledgeville site, which had double the concentration in 2008. The percent
detections above detection limit decreased from around 80%-100% in 2007 to 52%-100% in 2008.
At the end of 2008, nine of the Air Toxics Network sites were temporarily discontinued (see Table 2 for complete list). Therefore, in 2009 and 2010, six sites (shown in yellow and light blue, respectively, in the graph below) collected acrolein data in 2009 and 2010. With the six sites that collected acrolein data, there was a slight increase in average concentrations in 2009, but overall levels remained around the 2008 concentrations. The most noticeable increase for the 2009 data was at the South DeKalb site, with a 0.2 g/m3 increase from 2008. This average concentration slightly surpasses the 2007 average level. In 2010, there was a drastic increase in acrolein concentrations at all six sites that collected data. Every site had at least twice the 2009 concentration. The Savannah site had the highest increase from 0.34 g/m3 in 2009 to 4.25 g/m3 in 2010. Acrolein may enter the environment as a result of combustion of trees and other plants, tobacco, gasoline, and oil. Additionally, it can be used as a pesticide for algae, weeds, bacteria, and mollusks (ATSDR, 2007c). The potential for acrolein to cause health effects is not well understood. At very low concentrations, it is an upper respiratory irritant. At very high concentrations it may produce more serious damage to the lining of the upper respiratory tract and lungs (ATSDR, 2007c; U.S. EPA, 2003).
Average Concentration (g/m3) Percent Detections
4.5
100.00%
4
3.5
80.00%
3 60.00%
2.5
2 40.00%
1.5
1
20.00%
0.5
0
0.00%
2007
Concentration 2008 2009
Site 2010 2007
Detects 2008 2009
2010
Figure 54: Acrolein Concentrations and Percent Detections, 2007- 2010
76 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations
MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES A number of methods are used to conduct the PAMS hydrocarbon portion of the analyses. Throughout the year, 24-hour integrated hydrocarbon samples are taken and analyzed in the EPD laboratory for 56 hydrocarbon compounds. A 24-hour integrated carbonyl sample is taken once every sixth day throughout the year and analyzed. During June, July, and August, four integrated three-hour carbonyl samples are taken every third day. All analyses are conducted at the EPD Laboratory.
During June, July, and August, hydrocarbon samples are analyzed hourly on-site using a gas chromatography unit with a Flame Ionization Detector (FID). The gas chromatograph produces analyses of the ambient air for the same 56 hydrocarbons.
The carbonyls are sampled with two types of methods. One type is an absorbent cartridge filled with dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) coated silica that is attached to a pump to allow approximately 180 L of air to be sampled. The cartridge is analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The other method is the canister sampler that is used for sampling volatile organic compounds. Acrolein is analyzed using this method. A SUMMA polished canister is evacuated to a near-perfect vacuum and attached to a sampler with a pump controlled by a timer. The canister is filled to greater than 10 psig. The canister is analyzed using a gas chromatograph with mass spectroscopy detection (GC/MS). Specific annual summaries for the 2010 PAMS data may be found in Appendix C.
ATTAINMENT DESIGNATION There are no specific ambient air standards for the hydrocarbon and aldehyde species measured. PAMS measurements are performed to support the regulatory, analytical, and public health purposes of the ambient air monitoring program. By performing these measurements, GA EPD can better understand the characterization of precursor emissions within the area, transport of ozone and its precursors, and the photochemical processes leading to nonattainment. In addition, by studying local atmospheric chemistry, it improves the ability to control the formation of secondary pollutants like ozone and particulate matter. By making such data available, scientists can study air quality and how it relates to human health. This data can serve to guide policymakers toward making decisions that protect public health.
77 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
AIR TOXICS MONITORING
Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
GENERAL INFORMATION The citizens of Georgia have demonstrated a long-term interest in the quality of Georgias air. Since the 1970s, ambient ozone concentrations have been monitored in several communities throughout the state. As the states population grew, more compounds have been monitored in ambient air as required by the Federal Clean Air Act. In 1993, the EPD began to monitor a number of compounds that have no established ambient air standard. The monitoring has been conducted under two efforts, the first being the previously discussed Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station (PAMS) project, a federally mandated program for areas in serious, severe, or extreme non-attainment of the ozone standard. The second effort is the EPD-sponsored monitoring activities for ambient concentration of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). That effort was undertaken since monitoring only criteria pollutants would not provide an adequate understanding of the quality of Georgias air.
In 1994, the EPD conducted an intensive air quality study in Savannah (GADNR, 1996a). Then in 1996, the EPD conducted an intensive study in Glynn County as part of a multimedia event with EPA (GADNR, 1996b). These studies provided detailed pictures of the air quality in the communities, but the studies were not long-term studies and could not provide information on seasonal variation or trends. A reassessment of the air toxic monitoring program occurred, and in 1996 the EPD embarked on establishing a statewide hazardous air pollutant-monitoring network. The network was not designed to monitor any one particular industry, but to provide information concerning trends, seasonal variations, and rural versus urban ambient concentrations of air toxics. In order to evaluate the rural air quality, two background sites were proposed: one in North Georgia and one in South Georgia. The majority of the other sites were located in areas with documented emissions to the atmosphere of HAPs exceeding one million (1,000,000) pounds per year as indicated by the 1991 Toxic Release Inventory (GADNR, 1993).
After six years, by 2002, the Air Toxics Network (ATN) consisted of fourteen sites statewide, including a collocated (where two sets of monitors sample side by side) site at Utoy Creek, monitoring for a common set of toxic compounds. From the list of 187 compounds identified by EPA as being HAPs, the toxic compounds include metals, volatile organic compounds, and semi-volatile organic compounds. In addition, three of the ATN sites (Brunswick, Dawsonville, and Savannah) monitored carbonyl compounds (as seen in the previous section).
In 2003, a National Air Toxics Trends site was added to the network at the South DeKalb site, bringing the total to fifteen air toxics sites. The National Air Toxics Trends Station (NATTS) network was established in 2003 and is intended for long-term operation for the purpose of discerning national trends. The NATTS Network consists of 23 sites nationwide, 18 urban and 7 rural, with two of the urban sites added in 2007. At the South DeKalb site, the same compounds are monitored as at the other air toxics sites, as well as hexavalent chromium, black carbon, and carbonyls (already being monitored with PAMS network).
All of these air toxic pollutants can have negative effects on human health, ranging from causing headaches, nausea, dizziness, cancer, birth defects, problems breathing, and other serious illnesses. These effects can vary depending on frequency, length of time, health of the person that is exposed, along with the toxicity of the compound. These air pollutants also affect the environment. Wildlife experiences symptoms similar to those in humans. Pollutants accumulate in the food chain. Many air pollutants can also be absorbed into waterways and have toxic effects on aquatic wildlife. Some of the substances tend to have only one critical effect, while others may have several. Some of the effects may occur after a short exposure and others appear after long-term exposure or many years after being exposed. Exposure is not only through direct inhalation of the pollutant, but also through the consumption of organisms such as fish that have absorbed the pollutant.
78 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
Air toxic compounds are released from many different sources, including mobile sources (such as vehicles), stationary industrial sources, small area sources, indoor sources (such as cleaning materials), and other environmental sources (such as wildfires). The lifetime, transportation, and make-up of these pollutants are affected by both weather (rain and wind) and landscape (mountains and valleys). They can be transported far away from the original source, or be caught in rain and brought down to waterways or land. The following section discusses air toxic compounds, possible sources, monitoring techniques, findings for 2010 and a comparison of 2010 data to previous years.
In 2004, the Air Toxics Network underwent changes to the detection limits and reporting limits of the chemicals in this network. These limits were lowered, enabling analysis of a broader range of data. Instead of only seeing the higher numbers that were detected and using those numbers for average concentrations, one is able to see both sides of the spectrum and have a truer average for each chemical. Also, including the lower concentrations for each chemical allows for a better understanding of what levels can cause chronic health problems. Seeing only the higher levels of concentration, or possibly spikes, only yields data useful for identifying acute health effects. However, with the lower concentration levels included in the data, there can be further assessment of potential chronic health effects. With the lower limits included in the data, one is able to see all possible effects of the chemicals analyzed.
As stated earlier, in 2008, certain samplers within Georgias ambient air monitoring network were temporarily discontinued. More than half of the Air Toxics Network was included in this process. Six out of the 15 total Air Toxics sites (including one NATTS site) collected data in 2010. The following section will reflect the data collected in 2010, and the other sites are shown for comparison to past data. Refer to Table 2 for complete list of temporarily discontinued samplers.
79 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
METALS
Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
The metals subcategory includes antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, manganese, nickel, selenium, and zinc.
Antimony is used as a hardener in lead for storage batteries, in matches, as an alloy in internal combustion engines, and in linotype printing machines. Antimony compounds are used in making materials flame-retardant, and in making glass, ceramic enamels, and paints. Forms of the antimony metal are also used in medicines, and can be found in gasoline and diesel exhaust.
Arsenic occurs naturally at trace levels in soil and water. Most people are not exposed to arsenic through air pollution, but it can be found in food. The arsenic found in air comes mainly from the burning of coal or fuel oil, from metal smelters or iron foundries, and from the burning of waste.
Beryllium is a lightweight and rigid metal and used in watch springs, computer equipment, and used in the production of beryllium-copper as an alloying agent. This strong alloy is used to conduct heat and electricity, in spot welding, electrical contacts, and high-speed aircraft. Until 1949, beryllium was used in fluorescent lighting, until it was determined to have caused berylliosis, a disease that primarily affects the respiratory system and skin. Beryllium in ambient air is mainly a result of the burning of coal or fuel oil.
Cadmium emissions, like beryllium and arsenic, are mainly from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal or oil. The incineration of municipal waste and the operation of zinc, lead, or copper smelters also release cadmium to the air. For nonsmokers, food is generally the largest source of cadmium exposure.
Chromium sources include the combustion of coal and oil, electroplating, vehicle exhaust, iron and steel plants, and metal smelters. The emissions from these sources are a combination of elemental chromium and compounds including chromium ions. The most toxic form is hexavalent chromium.
Cobalt is used as a pigment (blue and green coloring agent), as a drying agent for paints, inks and varnishes, and as a catalyst for the petroleum and chemical industries. It is used as an alloy for parts in turbine aircraft engines, corrosion-resistant alloys, magnets, battery electrodes, and steel-belted tires. Cobalt also has a medicinal use as a radioactive metal in radiotherapy. It is also found in gasoline and diesel exhaust. Cobalt is actually necessary to many forms of life, when ingested through the digestive tract, in small amounts, as a micronutrient. It is a central component of vitamin B-12. As with most micronutrients, however, human activity can cause it to accumulate in unnatural locations or in unnatural concentrations. In those cases, it may be harmful and is considered a pollutant.
Lead is used in the manufacturing of batteries. The largest source of lead in the atmosphere used to be from the combustion of leaded gasoline. With the elimination of lead from gasoline, lead levels in the air have decreased considerably. Other sources of lead emissions include combustion of solid waste, coal, oils, emissions from iron and steel production, and lead smelters. Exposure to lead can also occur from food and soil. Children are at particular risk to lead exposure, because they commonly put hands, toys, and other items in their mouths that may come in contact with lead-containing dust and dirt. Lead-based paints were commonly used for many years. Flaking paint, paint chips, and weathered paint powder may be a major source of lead exposure, particularly for children.
Manganese is a naturally occurring substance found in many types of rock and soil; it is ubiquitous in the environment and found in low levels in water, air, soil, and food. Manganese can also be released into the air by combustion of coal, oil, wood, the operation of iron and steel production plants.
80 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
Nickel is found in the air as a result of oil and coal combustion, residential heating, nickel metal refining, lead smelting, sewage sludge incineration, manufacturing facilities, mobile sources, and other sources.
Selenium is a by-product of mining and smelting sulfide ores, such as silver, copper, and pyrite. It is found in soils, and can also be released by burning coal. Selenium has photovoltaic and photoconductive properties and is therefore used in photocells and solar panels. It is used as a pigment (red coloring agent) in enamels and glass. It is also used as a toner in photographs and in photocopying. Selenium is also found in gasoline and diesel exhaust. Selenium is a micronutrient, needed at very low levels for the health of all living creatures. It is normally absorbed through the digestive tract, though, and is not desirable in the air.
Zinc is found in gasoline and diesel exhaust. It is used to prevent corrosion of galvanized steel. It is also used in diecasting, and as part of battery containers. Zinc has been used as the primary metal in making the U.S. penny since 1982. Zinc compounds are used in making white pigment, sunscreen, deodorant, calamine lotions, and pigments for glow in the dark items. It is also used in the rubber industry. Like selenium, zinc is also a micronutrient needed for the health of living beings when consumed through the digestive system. When found in the air, though, it may be considered a pollutant.
See Figure 55 for a map of metals monitoring locations, including those that were temporarily discontinued.
81 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
Metals Sites out of TSP out of PM10 Cr6+ MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 55: Metals Monitoring Site Map
82 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
Percentage Detections
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
2005
2006
Site 2007 2008
2009
2010
*From PM10 Fraction
Figure 56: Percentage of Metals Detections by Site, 2005-2010
Figure 56 shows the percentage of metal species detected above the detection limit at each site for the years 2005 to 2010. Following EPAs guidance, a detection of any given pollutant is counted as any number that is above half the limit of detection. It is important to note that the South DeKalb metals sampler is designed to take the sample from the smaller PM10 fraction of the air as part of the NATTS network, while the other samplers in the Air Toxics Network collect samples from all the total suspended particles. Lower limits of detection (LOD) were introduced in September of 2004; therefore to be consistent, the data represented in these figures starts with the 2005 data. There have been only six full years of data collected at the lower limits, therefore true trends may not be discernible at this time. As previously stated, nine of the Air Toxics sites were temporarily discontinued at the end of 2008. Therefore, in 2009 and 2010, six sites collected metals data, shown in red and pink, respectively. With Figure 56, the distribution of metals at the various locations across the state can be examined as well as any changes in the past six years. The General Coffee site continued to show a decrease in percent detections, and the South DeKalb site showed an increase. However, the distribution across the sites is relatively similar. For all the sites, the percent detections remain around 80% of the total samples collected. The variability across the various sampling locations is modest, considering the vast geographic distribution of the sites, and climatological and anthropogenic influences from nearby urban development.
83 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
Figure 57 shows the networks percentage of detections above detection limit and total average concentrations by metallic species at all Air Toxics sites during 2005 through 2010. The detection of any given pollutant is counted as any number that is above half the limit of detection. One point of interest when looking at data is to track the percentage of detections along with the concentration. When examining this aspect, it appears that most metals had several detections, almost consistently up to 100%. Therefore, each metal detection contributes little concentration to the overall total concentration. This does not seem to be the case for zinc. While its detection frequency was almost the same as the other metals, zinc had the highest average concentration for all six years. This would indicate that for each zinc detection, there was a higher concentration of that metal. With the 2009 and 2010 data, there is a decrease in zinc concentrations, however, there were fewer sites collecting data across the state. Some metals including zinc, nickel, antimony, lead, chromium, and cadmium have been associated with emissions from tires and brake linings. The use of vehicles on Georgias roads could be a reason for higher levels associated with some of these metals. With the concentrations of zinc being much higher than the other metals, zinc is explored further in Figure 58 (on the following page), which examines the concentrations of zinc by site.
Average Concentration (g/m3) Percent Detections
0.45
100.0
0.4
90.0
0.35
80.0
0.3
70.0
60.0 0.25
50.0 0.2
40.0
0.15 30.0
0.1
20.0
0.05
10.0
0
0.0
Name of Metal
Concentration
Detects
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Figure 57: Average Concentration and Percentage Detections of Metals, by Species, 2005-2010
With Figure 58 on the next page, the total average concentrations of zinc are investigated more closely, divided by site, for 2005 through 2010. Again, at the end of 2008, nine of the Air Toxics sites were temporarily discontinued; however, the historical data is shown here for comparison. It is important to note that zinc does not have a health based screening value (see Risk Assessment section for more details) that is considered harmful to humans. In addition, zinc is not one of the 187 hazardous air pollutants; however, it is reported for completeness.
With a few exceptions, most sites have had a consistent level of zinc through the six years of data. At the Brunswick site there was a noticeable increase of zinc from 2006 to 2007. In 2007, there was an increase of over two times the 2006 average concentration of zinc at the Brunswick site. Then in 2008, the zinc levels at the Brunswick site decreased lower than the 2007 level, but remained higher than the 2006 level. In 2009 and 2010, the Brunswick site did not collect Air Toxics data. The Utoy Creek site consistently had the highest average concentration from 2005 to 2008, with levels almost nine times as high as the lowest concentrations, which were at the South DeKalb site. As noted
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earlier, the South DeKalb metals sampler is designed to take the sample from the smaller PM10 fraction of particles in the air, while the other samplers collect samples from all the total suspended particles. The lower levels at the South DeKalb site, in comparison, could be due to the larger particles (larger than PM10 size) being restricted by the sampler, indicating that some of the zinc sample could be lost in the larger, restricted fraction of particles. With the zinc samples taken at the Utoy Creek site, several samples were at least a magnitude higher than most other zinc samples collected at the other sites. Zinc can be released into the environment from mining, metal processing, steel production, burning coal, and burning certain wastes. The Utoy Creek site is situated at the Utoy Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility. Zinc can be used to help keep galvanized steel from corroding, and is possibly used for this reason on the pipes at the wastewater treatment facility. In addition, there are industries in the area that discharge their wastewater into the Utoy Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility. Also, the sludge that is produced at the wastewater treatment facility is incinerated. These circumstances provide more possibilities for seeing higher levels of zinc at the Utoy Creek site. In 2009 and 2010, however, the Utoy Creek site did not collect Air Toxics data.
The 2009 zinc data collected at the other six sites is shown in purple in Figure 58 below. The Macon sites 2009 average zinc concentration more than doubled from the 2008 average concentration. The Macon sites 2009 data was investigated further, but results were inconclusive as to the cause of the higher values in 2009. In 2010 (shown in pink), the average zinc concentration for the Macon site decreased by about half, resulting in a level near that of 2008. The changes in zinc levels at the Macon site could be due to changes in local industry. With the remaining 2010 zinc data, the Savannah sites average zinc concentration had a small increase, while the other four sites average concentrations remained about the same as 2009 levels.
Average Concentration (g/m3)
0.100 0.090 0.080 0.070 0.060 0.050 0.040 0.030 0.020 0.010 0.000
Site 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Figure 58: Average Concentration Comparison of Zinc, by Site, 2005-2010
*From PM10 Fraction
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Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM (Cr6)
Hexavalent chromium (chromium in its +6 oxidation state) in the environment is almost always related to human activity. Hexavalent chromium can be released into the atmosphere through the production of stainless steel, chrome plating, coating processes, and painting. It is also found in vehicle engines. The presence of chromium compounds is common at hazardous waste sites. From locations such as these, exposure of populations residing or working nearby can occur through exposure to air containing particulates or mists of chromium compounds. These particles can also find their way into drinking water if soluble forms of chromium leach into groundwater. Human exposure can also occur through skin contact with soil at hazardous waste sites. Hexavalent chromium is absorbed most readily through the lungs or digestive tract. Other forms of the metal, such as chromium in the +3 oxidation state, occur naturally in the environment and are not as efficient at entering the body. In general, hexavalent chromium compounds are more toxic than other chromium compounds. The toxicity of hexavalent chromium is in part due to the generation of free radicals formed when biological systems reduce hexavalent chromium to the +3 oxidation state. Effects in humans exposed occupationally to high levels of chromium or its compounds, primarily hexavalent chromium, by inhalation may include nasal septum ulceration and perforation, and other irritating respiratory effects. Cardiovascular effects, gastrointestinal and hematological effects, liver and kidney effects, and increased risks of death from lung cancer may also result from such exposure. In addition to the respiratory effects, exposure to chromium compounds can be associated with allergic responses (e.g., asthma and dermatitis) in sensitized individuals. Hexavalent chromium dioxide is a tetravalent chromium compound with limited industrial application. It is used to make magnetic tape, as a catalyst in chemical reactions, and in ceramics. Because of its limited industrial uses, the potential for human exposure is less for chromium dioxide than for the more industrially important hexavalent chromium and chromium +3 compounds.
This is the sixth year hexavalent chromium has been monitored at the South DeKalb site. The data for 2005 through 2010 is presented in Figure 59. The sampler did not operate the last quarter of 2007 through part of May 2008. Observed concentrations range over an order of magnitude, from 0.01 to 0.3 ng/m3 (nanograms per cubic meter). The graph is shown up to 0.1 ng/m3 in order to observe the lower data points. The observed concentrations are represented with the points, while the black line represents a moving average across the data set. It appears that from 2005 through 2007 the hexavalent chromium concentrations were sporadic and included some higher values. Then from 2008 through 2010, the concentrations seem more consistent and lower. The highest data point of 0.3 ng/m3 was observed in 2006, while the highest data point from 2008 through 2010 was 0.09 ng/m3. As the data set grows, possible seasonal variation in its concentration or other trends may be observed.
0.10
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.00
Concentration (ng/m3)
Date
Figure 59: Hexavalent Chromium at South DeKalb
*sampler did not operate from 9/15/07 until 5/12/08
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VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (TO-14/15)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) make up a group of chemicals from various industrial, stationary, and mobile sources. VOCs reach the atmosphere by way of evaporative emissions as well as incomplete combustion processes. Chlorinated compounds are very stable in the atmosphere, with lifetimes of several years. Dichlorodifluoromethane, a chlorinated compound, was the refrigerant of choice for automotive cooling. This material has not been manufactured since the mid-1990s (cars now use R-134a), yet dichlorodifluoromethane remains prevalent in the environment. Chloromethane is a volatile industrial solvent. Toluene is a major component of paints, solvents and is also present in gasoline. Benzene is found in vehicle emissions, evaporation from gasoline service stations, emissions from the burning of coal and oil, and in industrial solvents. Carbon tetrachloride and the Freons are generally used as refrigerants, industrial solvents, and as fire suppressants (though generally known as Halon in that application). The atmospheric reactivity of aromatic compounds is relatively high, with lifetimes in the weeks to months range.
Figure 60 shows the statewide detection distribution of air toxic (TO-15) type volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 2005 to 2010 across the states Air Toxics Network. The detection of any given pollutant is counted as any number that is above half the limit of detection. Again, the South DeKalb site has samples collected every six days, and Gainesville has an extra monthly sampling, compared to the other sites which have samples collected every twelve days. Therefore, the detections are shown in percentage of number of samples taken. The distribution is relatively even across the state, with the more urban or industrial sites having slightly higher percentages. As stated earlier, as of 2009, there were six sites collecting Air Toxics data. The percentage of detections has remained relatively low throughout the six years shown here. Out of all the VOCs samples taken, the percent detections have consistently been about 8% to 16%.
18.0
16.0
14.0
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
Percent Detections
2005
2006
Site 2007 2008
2009
2010
Figure 60: Total Volatile Organic Compounds Percent Detected per Site, 2005-2010
Figure 61, on the next page, compares the relationship between the concentrations observed and percent detections above detection limit, showing the top sixteen compounds of the VOCs group that were detected for 2005 through 2010. Although there are 42 species in this analyte group, only a relatively smaller subset is typically detected with any regularity. The percentage of detections was derived using any detection that was above half of the method detection limit. To obtain the average
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Total Average Concentration (g/m3) Percent Detections
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
concentration for compounds with at least one detection, the half method detection limit for that compound was substituted for any number lower than that compounds half method detection limit. It should be noted that six of the fifteen ATN sites collected data in 2009 and 2010, causing the total averages to appear smaller the last two years. Chloromethane and trichlorofluoromethane consistently had the same pattern of the highest detection rates, but the total average concentrations were consistently the second and third highest over the six years. This would indicate that the concentrations of chloromethane and trichlorofluoromethane are relatively low per detection. Conversely, toluene and benzene had the fourth and fifth highest detection rate, but two of the highest average concentrations. This would indicate that each detection of toluene and benzene has a relatively high concentration compared to the other VOCs. Dichlorodifluoromethane had one of the highest levels of concentration and one of the highest detection rates consistently for the six years of data. This would indicate that for each detection the concentration had a consistent, average weight. From the 2009 to 2010 data, there was a noticeable increase in benzene and cyclohexane (shown in dark purple). The higher benzene levels seem to be attributed to samples collected at both the Macon and Dawsonville sites, while the higher cyclohexane appears to have been collected at the Macon site.
40
100
35
90
80 30
70
25
60
20
50
15
40
30 10
20
5
10
0
0
Name of Compound
Concentration
Detects
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Figure 61: Average Concentration and Percent Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (TO15), Common Compounds, 20052010
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Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
Figure 62 shows the total volatile organic compound concentration, or loading, at each site for 2005 through 2010. This "total loading" measurement is produced by adding all the detected concentrations of all VOCs, even those below half of the detection limit as discussed earlier. It is intended as a surrogate measure showing general trends in overall VOC concentrations. When considering Figure 62, it is important to note that the South DeKalb and Gainesville sites could appear elevated since these two sites have a larger number of scheduled samplings than the rest of the sites in the network. South DeKalb samples on a 6-day schedule, and Gainesville has an additional sample collected per month over the networks regular sample days. It is important to note that the Macon site was shut down for most of 2008 due to damage to the site, causing that value to appear much lower than the other Air Toxics sites. In looking at trends in the data, there seems to be some fluctuation of VOCs concentrations at most sites, and a slight decrease in 2008. Then, at most sites that collected samples in 2009, there was a slight increase in total VOC concentrations. In 2010, all of the sites collecting data showed an increase in total VOCs concentrations, except the General Coffee site. The Dawsonville and Macon sites had a significant increase in total concentrations in 2010. For the Macon site, these higher concentrations seem to be attributed primarily to cyclohexane, dichlormethane, and benzene samples. While at the Dawsonville site, the higher concentrations seem to be attributed primarily to the benzene samples.
200
180
160 140 120
Concentration (ppb)
100 80 60
40 20
0
Site
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Figure 62: Total Volatile Organic Compound Loading all Species, by Site, 2005-2010
For a map of VOC and SVOC monitoring locations, including those that were temporarily discontinued, see Figure 63 on the next page.
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VOC/SVOC Site MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 63: VOC and SVOC Monitoring Site Map
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SEMI-VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), also called semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) are chemical compounds that consist of fused, six-carbon aromatic rings. They are formed by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as wood, coal, diesel fuel, fat or tobacco. Over 100 different chemicals are comprised within this designation. Many of them are known or suspected carcinogens. Some environmental facts about this class of compounds are listed below.
PAHs enter the air mostly as releases from volcanoes, forest fires, burning coal, and automobile exhaust. PAHs can occur in air attached to dust particles. Some PAH particles can readily evaporate into the air from soil or surface waters. PAHs can break down by reacting with sunlight and other chemicals in the air over a period of days to weeks. PAHs can enter water through discharges from industrial and wastewater treatment plants. Most PAHs do not dissolve easily in water. They stick to solid particles and settle to the bottoms of lakes or rivers. Microorganisms can break down PAHs in the soil or water after a period of weeks to months. In soils, PAHs are most likely to stick tightly to particles. Certain PAHs move through soil to contaminate groundwater. PAH content of plants and animals may be much higher than the PAH content of the soil or water in which they live.
For a map of SVOC monitoring locations, see Figure 63.
Percentage Detections
34.0 32.0 30.0 28.0 26.0 24.0 22.0 20.0 18.0 16.0 14.0 12.0 10.0
8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0
2005
2006
Site 2007 2008
2009
2010
Figure 64: Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds Percentage of Detections Per Site, 2005-2010
Figure 64 displays the percentage of detections according to site for 2005 through 2010 for all semivolatile organic compounds combined in the Air Toxics Network, except the South DeKalb site (discussed below). Detections were counted as any number that was above half of the method detection limit. As can be seen from this graph, the semi-volatile organic compounds are detected much less frequently than the other groups of compounds in the Air Toxics Network. Historically, the
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highest number of detects occurred in 2005, with 36 detects over the 14 sites (shown in green). That changed in 2009 when the five sites that collected semi-VOC samples had a total of 102 detections (shown in maroon), ranging from about 2% to 10% detections. This is still a relatively low number of detections, though a noteworthy increase. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the semi-VOCs laboratory analysis method changed from a gas chromatograph with Electron Capture Detector to a gas chromatograph. The gas chromatograph method is used by the EPA contractor to analyze samples from the South DeKalb site. With a full year of data in 2010 (shown in light purple), the percent detections showed even more of an increase, ranging from about 7% to 32%. The following graph was produced with this 2009 fourth quarter data and the 2010 data, and includes the South DeKalb site for comparison. The seventeen semi-VOCs that were collected at all sites were compared in this graph. Even though the same laboratory analysis method was used for this analysis, the South DeKalb data shows a significantly higher percentage of detections. As data is collected in the future, the relationship between these sites will continue to be tracked. In addition, the data will be observed for possible continuing increase in detections with the gas chromatograph laboratory analysis method.
Percentage Detections
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 General Coffee
Dawsonville
Macon
Savannah
Site
2009 2010
South DeKalb
Yorkville
Figure 65: Comparison of Fourth Quarter 2009 and All of 2010 Semi-VOCs Detects
Figure 66, on the following page, shows the percentage of detections for each semi-volatile organic compound compared to the total average concentration of those compounds across the statewide network of sites from 2005 through 2010. The percentage detections were derived using any detection that was above half of the method detection limit. To obtain the average concentration for compounds with at least one detection, the half method detection limit for that compound was substituted for any number lower than that compounds half method detection limit. As discussed above, until 2009, the percentage of detections and average concentrations were very low. Before the laboratory analysis method change in 2009, the percent detections were below 10% and the average concentrations were below 0.01 g/m3. In 2009 (shown in maroon), the highest average concentration increased to 0.176 g/m3 (naphthalene) and the highest percent detections increased to about 25% (phenanthrene). In 2010 (shown in light purple), the semi-VOCs percent detections had an overall increase. The highest was naphthalene, with about 95% detection rate. Also, in 2010, naphthalene remained the largest contributor to the semi-VOCs. However, in 2010 the average concentration of naphthalene dropped to 0.009 g/m3, while the percent detections increased from about 15% in 2009 to about 95% in 2010. Another notable difference from 2009 to 2010 is the decrease in average concentration of acenaphthene. In 2009, the acenaphthene average concentration was around 0.09 g/m3, and in 2010 it decreased to around 0.01 g/m3.
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Total Average Concentration (g/m3) Percentage Detections
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.13 0.12 0.11
0.1 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01
0
Section: Air Toxics Monitoring
100.0 90.0 80.0 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0
Name of Compound
Concentration
Detects
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Figure 66: Total Average Concentration and Percentage Detections of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds by Compound, 2005-2010
In April of 2007, the South DeKalb site had semi-volatile organic compounds added to its list of compounds to sample. Instead of the EPD laboratory analyzing this data as it does with the other Air Toxics sites, the South DeKalb site is part of the National Air Toxics Trends Sites (NATTS) Network, which uses the Eastern Research Group (ERG) to analyze this data. ERG is a multidisciplinary consulting firm, and in the laboratory at ERG, gas chromatography is used to separate and measure a number of pollutants detected in the troposphere. Until the fourth quarter of 2009, this differed drastically from the EPDs laboratory methods, in which liquid chromatography was instead used to sort out the compounds of interest. As a result of the dilution of pollutants necessary for liquid chromatography, several of the compounds analyzed by the ERG laboratory were not detected by the EPD laboratory. Furthermore, the detection limits used varied quite a bit from one laboratory medium to the other. Since the data was analyzed differently until the end of 2009 and the South DeKalb site collects five additional semi-volatile organic compounds, the South DeKalb data is shown separately.
Figure 67, below, is produced from the results of semi-volatile organic compounds at the South DeKalb monitor that were analyzed at ERG. The average concentrations and number of detections are shown. The detections were derived using any detection that was above half of the method detection limit. The concentrations of naphthalene range from 0.083 g/m3 in 2007 to 0.128 g/m3 in 2010. These concentrations are an order of magnitude higher than the next highest concentrations of around 0.005 g/m3 for phenanthrene. Therefore, the y-axis is formatted in order to show the other concentrations and detections in more detail. In general, there has not been much change in the data over the last four years. There was a slight increase in average concentrations in 2010, but the number of detections remained about the same or had a slight decrease (shown in yellow). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as these are found in the air from the burning of coal, oil, gas, and garbage, and are found in dyes, cigarette smoke, coal tar, plastics, and pesticides. They have been found to bother the skin and mucous membranes and have even been linked to cancer. According to
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ERGs results, naphthalene is the largest contributor of the semi-volatile organic compounds. However, more than half of South DeKalbs semi-VOCs have averages less than 0.0005 g/m3.
Figure 67: Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds at South DeKalb, 2007-2010
As part of the NATTS program, the South DeKalb site collects black carbon data. One source of black carbon is diesel exhaust. To give a comparison of a few other compounds that are also commonly seen at the South DeKalb site, correlations were performed and a correlation matrix was produced with the 2010 data. With this, an attempt was made to see what other compounds are found along with black carbon. The resulting data can be seen in Figure 68, below. The correlation values are given, as well as colors to show how well the compounds correlated. The red shows a perfect positive correlation of 1.0, while dark blue shows a perfect negative correlation of 1.0. The color scale is shown to the right of the correlation matrix. Data was compared when a sample day had a pair of data for both compounds. As can be seen in the correlation matrix, the 2010 toluene and m/p-xylene data have the strongest relationship, with 0.874. In 2009, the highest correlation was also between m/pxylene and toluene, with 0.978, suggesting that the two compounds are consistently connected, and this relationship continues to strengthen in its common source. The black carbon data correlated well with naphthalene data, with a value of 0.827. This could indicate that these compounds could be found in diesel exhaust, or they could be found in conjunction with diesel exhaust or other vehicle exhaust. The naphthalene data correlated well with toluene, with 0.808, while the black carbon and toluene data had a slightly lower correlation of 0.605. This may suggest that while black carbon shares sources with toluene, these sources are less common and widespread as the sources shared by black carbon and naphthalene. Another noteworthy correlation is black carbon with lead data, which was 0.731. The black carbon data had the highest negative relationship to the dichlorodifluoromethane data, with a correlation of 0.302. This was also the overall highest negative relationship. The majority of correlations fall within the range of -0.200 and 0.599.
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Black Form- NaphCarbon aldehyde thalene
Acrolein
Zinc
Benzene
Toluene
Trichloro- Dichlorofluoro- difluoro-
methane methane
Chloromethane
M/PXylene
Chrome +6
Lead
PM 2.5
Black Carbon
1.000
0.398
0.827
0.071
0.186
0.498
0.605 -0.297 -0.302 -0.196 0.592
0.533
0.731
0.481
Formaldehyde
0.398
1.000
0.358
0.246
0.038
0.251
0.291
0.122 -0.054 0.012
0.309
0.183
0.142
0.353
Naphthalene
0.827
0.358
1.000
0.157
0.259
0.723
0.808 -0.088 -0.016 -0.191 0.768
0.330
0.604
0.634
Acrolein 0.071 0.246 0.157 1.000 -0.106 0.254 0.252 0.022 -0.126 -0.243 0.182 -0.063 0.239 0.152
Zinc 0.186 0.038 0.259 -0.106 1.000 0.194 0.191 -0.102 0.188 0.039 0.131 0.289 0.298 0.255
Benzene 0.498 0.251 0.723 0.254 0.194 1.000 0.750 0.070 -0.021 -0.197 0.737 0.033 0.548 0.506
Toluene 0.605 0.291 0.808 0.252 0.191 0.750 1.000 0.040 0.011 -0.180 0.874 0.124 0.577 0.561
TrichloroFluoro- -0.297 methane
Dichlorodifluoro- -0.302 methane
0.122 -0.054
-0.088 -0.016
0.022 -0.126
-0.102 0.188
0.070 -0.021
0.040 0.011
Chloromethane
-0.196
0.012
-0.191 -0.243
0.039
-0.197 -0.180
1.000 0.610 0.395
0.610 1.000 0.556
0.395 0.556 1.000
-0.011 -0.297 -0.074 -0.267 -0.107 -0.279 0.029 -0.110 -0.154 -0.170 -0.131 0.026
M/PXylene
0.592
0.309
0.768
0.182
0.131
0.737
0.874 -0.011 -0.107 -0.154 1.000
0.196
0.582
0.654
Chrome +6
0.533
0.183
0.330 -0.063 0.289
0.033
0.124 -0.297 -0.279 -0.170 0.196
1.000
0.366
0.334
Lead 0.731 0.142 0.604 0.239 0.298 0.548 0.577 -0.074 0.029 -0.131 0.582 0.366 1.000 0.496
PM 2.5 0.481 0.353 0.634 0.152 0.255 0.506 0.561 -0.267 -0.110 0.026 0.654 0.334 0.496 1.000
1.000 0.800 0.600 0.400 0.200 0.000 -0.200 -0.400 -0.600 -0.800 -1.000
Figure 68: Correlation Matrix of Common Compounds Found at South DeKalb, 2010
MONITORING TECHNIQUES In 2010 air toxics samples were collected from a total of six sites, including a NATTS site, and two background (rural) sites.
The compounds sampled at the ATN sites are shown in Appendix D. The list was derived from the 187 compounds EPA has designated as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPS). Many of the HAPS do not have standardized ambient air sampling and analytical methods. In order to collect the compounds of interest for the Georgia network, three types of samplers are used at all locations: the HIVOL, PUF, and canister. In addition, carbonyls were monitored at two of the ATN sites, as well as one NATTS/PAMS site, in 2010.
This equipment samples for metals, semi-volatile organic compounds, and volatile organic compounds once every twelve days following a pre-established schedule that corresponds to a nationwide sampling schedule. The South DeKalb site collects samples every six days, as part of the
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National Air Toxics Trends (NATTS) network. On the run day, the sampler runs midnight to midnight and takes a 24-hour integrated sample.
The HIVOL sampler used for sampling metals is a timed sampler. The sampler is calibrated to collect 1300 to 2000 liters of air per minute. Particulate material is trapped on an 8.5" x 11" quartz fiber filter. The particulates include dust, pollen, diesel fuel by-products, particulate metal, etc. The filters are preweighed at a remote laboratory prior to use and weighed again after sampling. The filters are subjected to a chemical digestion process and are analyzed on an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer.
The PUF (polyurethane foam) sampler used for sampling semi-volatile organic compounds is a timed sampler. The sampler is calibrated to collect 198 to 242 liters (L) of air per minute. A multi-layer cartridge is prepared which collects both the particulate fraction and the volatile fraction of this group of compounds. The plug, filter and absorbent are extracted at a remote laboratory and until the fourth quarter were analyzed using a gas chromatograph with Electron Capture Detector. As of the fourth quarter of 2009, the labortory analysis method changed to gas chromatography.
The canister sampler used for sampling volatile organic compounds is a timed sampler. A SUMMA polished canister is evacuated to a near-perfect vacuum and attached to a sampler with a pump controlled by a timer. The canister is filled to greater than 10 psig. The canister is analyzed using a gas chromatograph with mass spectroscopy detection (GC/MS).
The carbonyls are sampled with two types of methods. One type is an absorbent cartridge filled with dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) coated silica that is attached to a pump to allow approximately 180 L of air to be sampled. The cartridge is analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). A 24-hour integrated carbonyl sample is taken every 6 days throughout the year. The other method used for collecting carbonyls is the cansiter sampler that is used for sampling volatile organic compounds. Acrolein is a carbonyl compound that is collected using the canister method, described above, and analyzed with the GC/MS method.
As part of the National Air Toxics Trends network, South DeKalb monitors the above listed compounds, as well as hexavalent chromium and black carbon. In addition, the South DeKalb metals are sampled on a PM10 sampler.
The hexavalent chromium sampler used for sampling Cr+6 is a timed sampler. Samples are collected at a flow rate of 15 liters of air per minute using a 37 mm diameter substrate of bicarbonate impregnated cellulose. The filter is controlled by an auto cover which remains closed until sampling, and fully exposes the filter when the sampler is running. The sample is analyzed using the modified California Air Resources Board (CARB) SOP 039. The filters are extracted in deionized water via sonication, which is analzyed by ion chromatography. Cr+6 is separated through a column, forming a complex with diphenylcarbohydrazide. Dianex Peaknet chromatography software is used to determine the peak analysis.
The aethalometer is a continuous sampler used for sampling black and organic carbon. Operating at 60 watts / 110V AC, the aethalometer uses quartz tape to perform an optical analysis to determine the concentration of carbon particles passing through an air stream. The analysis is conducted using spectrophotometry, measuring the wavelength of the light energy absorbed and plotting the results on the site computer.
The PM10 sampler used for sampling toxic metal particles less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter is a timed sampler. Collecting 1020 to 1240 liters of air per minute, the sampler uses a 8.5" x 11" quartz glass fiber filter to trap particulate matter. The sample is analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In ICP-MS, an argon gas is used to atomize and ionize the
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elements in a sample. The resulting ions are used to identify the isotopes of the elements and a mass spectrum is used to identify the element proportional to a specific peak formed from an isotope.
ATTAINMENT DESIGNATION Currently, there are no attainment standards for the air toxics compounds, with the exception of lead, which has its designation as a criteria pollutant. Air toxics measurements are performed to support the regulatory, analytical, and public health purposes of the program. While it is understood that these compounds are toxic, it is not well understood what airborne concentrations of each compound may be harmful. By collecting data about their current concentrations, researchers can later compare GA EPDs data with health data to determine what levels of each compound may be safe.
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Section: Meteorological Report
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT
STATE CLIMATOLOGY AND METEOROLOGICAL SUMMARY OF 2010
The climate of North and Central Georgia, which includes the metropolitan areas of Atlanta, Columbus and Macon, involves summers of warm, humid weather, and variable temperatures during the winter months. The climate across Northern Georgia is largely a function of terrain. Average amounts of rainfall reach between 45-50 inches, with September and October averaging as the driest months and the wettest being March.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia reports that January
began with the arrival of an arctic air mass that dominated the first half of the month. A second cold outbreak at the end of the month allowed Atlanta to reach its coldest January since 1985. Departures from normal ranged from -2.5 degrees in Athens to -5.2 degrees in Columbus. Record rainfall on the 16th, 21st, and 24th contributed to monthly surpluses in all four cities (see Table 4).
The much colder than average temperatures continued through February with three more arctic blasts. For the second consecutive month, Atlanta and Athens recorded an average monthly temperature below 40 degrees. This had not occurred in either city since December 1981 and
January 1982. Negative departures from normal were even greater than in January. Precipitation was also below average in all four locations. Record and near record rainfall on the 5th, with 2.65" at Athens and 1.93" in Atlanta was not enough to offset a drier than average month. On the 12th, a low pressure system tracking across the Northern Gulf of Mexico produced the heavy snow event of the winter. Snowfall totaled 4.5" in Athens, 3.6" in Atlanta, 3.0" in Macon, and 2.0" in Columbus. Temperatures moderated a bit in March, but still remained well below average in all four cities. Again, monthly precipitation was below normal in the four cities with deficits ranging from -1.14" in Atlanta to -2.66" in Athens.
In April, La Nina evolved and strengthened in the equatorial Pacific. Characteristically, temperatures
abruptly rebounded to well above average readings. Record and near record warmth occurred early in
the month. Drier than average conditions continued for the third straight month, as all four climate
sites recorded rainfall deficits ranging from -1.06" in Atlanta to -2.23" in Columbus. The significantly
above average monthly temperatures continued in May. However, substantial rains returned with a half inch or more falling in one or more of the climate sites on the 3rd, 21st, 28th, 29th, and 30th. A potent storm system on the 3rd brought record daily rainfall to all four cities.
Positive temperature anomalies increased again in June, as Atlanta and Columbus experienced their 2nd and 4th warmest June, respectively. Temperatures soared to record and near record highs on the 15th, as Macon set a new record with 100F breaking the old record of 99F set in 1963. Rainfall
generally remained in abundance with all of the locations except Columbus recording surpluses for the 2nd straight month. The heat persisted through July and August with all four cities continuing their
lengthy string of significantly warmer than normal monthly departures. The broad, persistent ridge of
high pressure stretching from Texas to New England, which was responsible for this heat, also put
rainfall at a premium from mid through late summer. Three out of the four cities posted rainfall deficits
in each of these two months with amounts ranging from -0.75" in Atlanta to -3.01" in Athens for July,
and from -0.22" in Macon to -1.33" in Columbus for August.
September brought little relief from the hot, dry pattern. Again, the four climate sites posted much warmer than normal monthly averages. Additionally, 13 record high temperatures were either tied or broken on 10 separate days in Atlanta, Columbus, and Macon. By mid-month, mild to moderate drought conditions expanded into much of South and West Georgia as the unusually dry, hot conditions continued. After a hot summer, two polar outbreaks occurring in late September and early October brought relief to North and Central Georgia. Low temperatures fell into the 40s and 50s while
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2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
daytime highs were generally held to the 70s. The reprieve did not last however, as record high temperatures returned in mid and late October.
The arrival of two polar air masses in November resulted in bringing the average monthly temperatures closer to their 30 year normal. Despite Atlanta still being above average by 1.2 degrees, Athens, Columbus, and Macon had moderated considerably. Additionally, monthly rainfall rebounded nicely with the help of a daily record rainfall in Atlanta, Athens, and Columbus on the 30th. 2010 seemed to go from one extreme to another, and December was no exception. A series of arctic blasts in early, mid and late December brought record breaking cold temperatures and measurable snow as well.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yearly
Atlanta
2010 5.38 4.17 4.24
2.56
6.87
5.21
4.37
3.32
1.60
3.33
5.48
1.62
1981-2010
30 yr avg
4.20 4.67
4.81
3.36
3.66
3.95
5.27
3.90
4.47
3.41
4.10
3.90
48.15 49.68
Athens
2010 6.20 4.21 2.33
1.86
5.89
4.55
1.40
7.62
5.35
1.42
4.91
1.92
1981-2010
30 yr avg
4.05 4.48
4.42
3.15
3.03
4.18
4.47
3.52
3.94
3.55
3.82
3.73
47.66 46.66
Macon
2010 5.50 3.07 3.49 1.36 4.31 5.73 6.97 3.57 5.41 0.95 2.61 1.08
1981-2010
30 yr avg
4.23 4.35
4.55
2.96
2.72
4.06
4.95
4.10
3.58
2.79
3.32
4.04
44.05 45.98
Columbus 1981-2010
2010
30 yr avg
5.34 3.56 3.83 1.61 5.83 2.45 2.16 2.45 3.17 1.48 3.85 4.44 5.45 3.55 3.03 3.72 4.76 3.77 3.06 2.58
(Data compiled by National Weather Service Office in Peachtree City)
3.82 1.56 4.10 4.27
37.26 46.74
Table 4: Comparison of Monthly Rainfall Amounts for 2010 and the 30 Year Average for Select Cities in Georgia
99 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
SUMMARY OF METEOROLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS FOR 2010
A complete suite of meteorological instrumentation is used to characterize meteorological conditions around metropolitan Atlanta. The basic surface meteorological parameters measured at the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Sites (PAMS) are shown in Table 5. The PAMS sites are Conyers, South DeKalb, Tucker, and Yorkville. South DeKalb is considered an NCORE and a NATTS site as well. The Tucker site primarily records meteorological data for possible future modeling or comparative purposes. All PAMS sensors measure hourly-averaged scalar wind speed and vectoraveraged wind direction at the 10-meter level, and hourly-averaged surface temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure at the 2-meter level. Several sites include instruments to record hourly-averaged precipitation, global solar radiation and total ultraviolet radiation. The standard deviation of the wind direction is also computed at the NCORE site (South DeKalb). Other surface meteorological measurements were made across the state in 2010 and are also shown in Table 5. All the meteorological sites are mapped in Figure 69. Upper air meteorological observations (primarily wind speed and direction) are made at Peachtree City using a PA5-LR SODAR system.
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Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
Statewide Monitoring
Sites
Wind Speed (m/s)
Wind Direction
(deg)
Sigth (deg)
Relative Humidity
(%)
Solar Radiation
(W/m2)
Total Ultraviolet Radiation
(W/m2)
Barometric Pressure
(mb)
Precip. (in)
Temp. (C)
Conyers
South
DeKalb
Tucker
Yorkville
Fort
Mountain
Brunswick
Confederate
Avenue
Dawsonville
Savannah
E. President
Macon SE
Douglasville
Fayetteville*
Newnan
Savannah
L&A
Augusta
Macon West*
Columbus
Evans
Cartersville
*Temporarily discontinued
Table 5: Meteorological Parameters Measured at Statewide Monitoring Sites During 2010
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Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Meteorological Report
Meteorological Sites MSAs Shown as Solid Colors
Figure 69: Meteorological Site Map
102 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
OZONE AND PM2.5 FORECASTING AND DATA ANALYSIS
Each day a team of meteorologists from Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and Georgia Tech scientists meet at 1:30 EST to issue an air quality forecast for the Atlanta, Macon, Columbus, and Augusta metropolitan areas. The air quality forecast is then relayed to the Clean Air Campaign and EPA, which disseminate the forecast to important national outlets, such as NWS, USA Today, and The Weather Channel. The forecasts are determined based upon several meteorological factors, such as the synoptic regime, surface and upper air meteorology, satellite imagery, as well as the ambient concentration of pollutant. Multiple 2D and 3D forecasting models generated by Georgia Tech are utilized in addition to National Weather Service (NWS) synoptic forecasting models. These synoptic models consist of the North American Model (NAM/WRF), the Global Forecasting System (GFS), the European, and the Canadian models to name a few.
Metropolitan Atlanta had 24 ozone violations during ozone season (May through September) in 2010, while Macon and Augusta each had 2 ozone violations. This was considered to be a fairly typical ozone season for Metro Atlanta, with the 2009 season having only 14 ozone violations. Monthly time series plots of ozone predictions and observations for Metro Atlanta during the 2010 ozone season are shown in Figure 70 and Figure 71. The dark squares shown in the figure indicate days where an ozone violation occurred, but was not forecasted, or did not occur and was forecasted. Overall forecasting performance for the team for the 2010 ozone season was 80% on an event to a non-event basis (binary error) and 61% on an AQI basis (color category), out of 153 days. Most violations (13 out of the 24) occurred during the summer months (June, July, and August) with the highest concentration day (98 parts per billion by volume, or ppbv) occurring on July 7th, which brought Metro Atlanta into Code Red. During this period, the Eastern-central part of the United States was dominated by a strong upper level high pressure ridge, along with a strong mid-Atlantic subtropical ridge near the surface. This synoptic regime provided strong subsidence across the Southeast United States. This highly stable air mass provided clear skies and low moisture, which led to the enhanced ozone concentration observed on July 7th. As shown in the figure, there were no major ozone episodes during May, August, or September for Metro Atlanta. Interestingly, there were 9 ozone violations during the month of September, which was a fairly abnormally high number of violations for the end of smog season. The Atlantic basin had 19 named tropical systems, however, only one (Tropical Storm Bonnie) made U.S. landfall during the month of July. Therefore, tropical activity influencing the Southeast U.S. was not a major factor in keeping ozone levels from being elevated for extended periods. During the month of September there was the presence of the lee trough extending down the spine of the Southern Appalachians, which could have played a role in the abnormal number of days with elevated ozone levels, as well as the persistence of the Atlantic (Bermuda) subtropical ridge positioned over the Southeast U.S.
103 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Meteorological Report
Maximun O3 concentrations (ppbv)
O3 observed O3 predicted
2010
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
MAY
20
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20 110 100
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20
JUN JUL
1
3
5
7
9
11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31
Day of the month
(Data compiled by Dr. Carlos Cardelino of Georgia Tech)
Figure 70: Monthly Time Series of Ozone Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During 2010 Ozone Season (May-July)
O3 observed O3 predicted
2010
100
80
60
40
AUG
20
Maximun 8-hrs O3 concentrations (ppbv)
80
60
40
SEP
20 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 Day of the month
(Data compiled by Dr. Carlos Cardelino of Georgia Tech)
Figure 71: Monthly Time Series of Ozone Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During 2010 Ozone Season (August-September)
Overall performance for PM2.5 forecasting in 2010 for Metro Atlanta was 78.9% on an AQI basis. There were no PM2.5 violations observed in Metro Atlanta in 2010, however, Augusta and Macon each recorded one violation, the North Georgia mountains had three violations, while Savannah had two PM2.5 violations in 2010. Monthly time series plots of PM2.5 predictions and observations for
104 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
Metropolitan Atlanta during 2010 (24-hour averages) are shown below in Figure 72 through Figure 75. Some seasonal variability in PM2.5 does exist, as shown in the figure; however, December and January show periods of elevated PM2.5, relative to other seasons. This enhancement can partly be attributed to local and regional fire activity.
Two interesting exceptional events were observed during the months of April and November. On April 1st and 2nd a possible Saharan Dust transport event occurred over North Georgia. Further
meteorological and trajectory analysis showed there could have been a possible contribution from
regional fire activity to the west and southwest of North Georgia. This portion of the smoke plume
could have gotten wrapped up in westerly flow around a high pressure ridge across the Southeast. The second major exceptional event was observed on November 12th through November 15th across
South Georgia. This enhancement of particle pollution was attributed to the Arabia Fire activity in
Clinch County in South Georgia.
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
JANUARY 2010 30
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
FEBRUARY 2010 30
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
20
10
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
MARCH 2010
30
Observed
Predicted
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
(Data compiled by Dr. Carlos Cardelino of Georgia Tech)
Figure 72: Monthly Times Series Plots of PM2.5 Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During 2010 (January-March)
105 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
APRIL 2010 40
30
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
MAY 2010 40
30
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
JUNE 2010 40
Observed
30
Predicted
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
(Data compiled by Dr. Carlos Cardelino of Georgia Tech)
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
Figure 73: Monthly Times Series Plots of PM2.5 Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During 2010 (April-June)
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
JULY 2010 40
30
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
AUGUST 2010 40
30
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
SEPTEMBER 2010 40
Observed
30
Predicted
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
(Data compiled by Dr. Carlos Cardelino of Georgia Tech)
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
Figure 74: Monthly Times Series Plots of PM2.5 Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During 2010 (July-September)
106 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
OCTOBER 2010 30
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
NOVEMBER 2010 30
20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
DECEMBER 2010 30
Observed Predicted 20
10
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
(Data compiled by Dr. Carlos Cardelino of Georgia Tech)
PM2.5 (ug/m3)
Figure 75: Monthly Times Series Plots of PM2.5 Predictions and Observations for Metro Atlanta During 2010 (October-December)
BRIEF CLIMATOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF 2000 VS. 2010 OZONE SEASONS
There is a noticeable distinction in the recorded number of 8-hr ozone violations for the 2010 ozone season, in comparison with the 2000 ozone season. There were 46 ozone violations recorded in 2000, with only 24 violations noted for the 2010 ozone season (see Table 6 and Table 7 below). This noticeable disparity raises the question of what (if any) meteorological differences were in place during these two years that would cause ozone production to show such a contrast.
107 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
1.
Apr-30-2000
2.
May-31-2000
3.
Jun-01-2000
4.
Jun-02-2000
5.
Jun-03-2000
6.
Jun-08-2000
7.
Jun-09-2000
8.
Jun-10-2000
9.
Jun-11-2000
10. Jun-12-2000
11. Jun-23-2000
12. Jun-24-2000
13. Jun-30-2000
14. Jul-01-2000
15. Jul-02-2000
16. Jul-03-2000
17. Jul-04-2000
18. Jul-06-2000
19. Jul-07-2000
20. Jul-08-2000
21. Jul-13-2000
22. Jul-14-2000
23. Jul-16-2000
24. Jul-17-2000
25. Jul-18-2000
26. Jul-19-2000
27. Jul-21-2000
28. Jul-22-2000
29. Jul-27-2000
30. Jul-28-2000
31. Aug-05-2000
32. Aug-06-2000
33. Aug-10-2000
34. Aug-13-2000
35. Aug-14-2000
36. Aug-15-2000
37. Aug-16-2000
38. Aug-17-2000
39. Aug-18-2000
40. Aug-19-2000
41. Aug-22-2000
42. Aug-23-2000
43. Aug-24-2000
44. Aug-26-2000
45. Aug-28-2000
46. Aug-29-2000
8hrO3 (.085) 8hrO3 (.095) 8hrO3 (.122) 8hrO3 (.103) 8hrO3 (.090) 8hrO3 (.093) 8hrO3 (.109) 8hrO3 (.107) 8hrO3 (.105) 8hrO3 (.088) 8hrO3 (.096) 8hrO3 (.097) 8hrO3 (.100) 8hrO3 (.112) 8hrO3 (.099) 8hrO3 (.103) 8hrO3 (.087) 8hrO3 (.091) 8hrO3 (.099) 8hrO3 (.085) 8hrO3 (.111) 8hrO3 (.094) 8hrO3 (.086) 8hrO3 (.093) 8hrO3 (.123) 8hrO3 (.086) 8hrO3 (.092) 8hrO3 (.091) 8hrO3 (.110) 8hrO3 (.113) 8hrO3 (.090) 8hrO3 (.091) 8hrO3 (.120) 8hrO3 (.086) 8hrO3 (.102) 8hrO3 (.104) 8hrO3 (.138) 8hrO3 (.139) 8hrO3 (.096) 8hrO3 (.115) 8hrO3 (.089) 8hrO3 (.090) 8hrO3 (.095) 8hrO3 (.099) 8hrO3 (.092) 8hrO3 (.096)
Table 6: Exceedances of Federal Air Quality Standards in Georgia (2000)
108 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
1. May-05-2010 2. May-06-2010 3. Jun-15-2010 4. Jun-18-2010 5. Jun-21-2010 6. Jun-22-2010 7. Jul-07-2010 8. Jul-08-2010 9. Jul-09-2010 10. Jul-15-2010 11. Jul-30-2010 12. Aug-04-2010 13. Aug-10-2010 14. Aug-11-2010 15. Aug-24-2010
8hrO3 (.076) 8hrO3 (.085) 8hrO3 (.079) 8hrO3 (.078) 8hrO3 (.079) 8hrO3 (.079) 8hrO3 (.098) 8hrO3 (.086) 8hrO3 (.078) 8hrO3 (.084) 8hrO3 (.083) 8hrO3 (.085) 8hrO3 (.077) 8hrO3 (.079) 8hrO3 (.086)
Table 7: Exceedances of Federal Air Quality Standards in Georgia (2010)
A brief comparison of the ozone season months of May, June, July August for 2000 and 2010 is provided below.
May- Substantial differences were noted between monthly climatological means and daily meteorological conditions for May 2000 and 2010. Case studies involving two ozone events during the month of May 2000 (May 31) and May 2010 (May 5-7) highlight the meteorological conditions surrounding elevated ozone levels for those dates: Ozone Event May 31, 2000 Meteorological conditions were particularly favorable for elevated ozone concentrations on May 31st as broad anticyclonic circulation dominated much of the Southeastern U.S. in association with a mid/upper high along the central Gulf States. Surface ridging was also building southwestward along the eastern slopes of the Appalachians in the wake of a departing shortwave trough/closed upper low moving into the western Atlantic. Very dry mean layer humidity of only 10-20% suggests plentiful insolation was providing favorable conditions for photochemical ozone production across the Atlanta metropolitan region (Figure 76 a-b).
109 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
Figure 76: Objective Analysis from the NAM-40 Initial Fields Valid at (a) 12z on May 31, 2000, and (b) 00z on June 1, 2000
Ozone event May 5-6, 2010 A split-flow upper regime was in place for North America during May 5th-6th with mid latitude cyclones favoring an easterly track along the polar jet branch through northern portions of the continental U.S. However, moisture associated with a weak southern branch disturbance was contributing to
110 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
moderately unstable conditions over western portions of the region, while subsidence was noted across the Eastern Atlanta metro area. Although not a clear-cut situation for high ozone readings, sufficient insolation and subsidence provided by northwesterly flow aloft likely aided in elevating concentrations during this period (Figure 77 a-b).
Figure 77: Objective Analysis from the NAM-40 Initial Fields Valid at (a) 12z on May 6, 2000, and (b) 00z on May 7, 2000
111 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
June- June 2000 had an average maximum daily temperature of 88 degrees, with the highest temperature measured at 95 degrees on June 24th, and temperatures above 90 degrees for 16 days out of the month. A total of 1.11 inches of rainfall was reported for the month. June 2010 had an average maximum daily temperature of 90 degrees, with the highest temperatures measured at 95 degrees on June 14th and 15th, and temperatures above 90 degrees for 19 days out of the month. A total of 5.41 inches of rainfall was reported for the month. So, although June 2000 was overall a cooler month than June 2010, June 2010 recorded higher humidity, and more rainfall. With ozone and fine particulate matter depending greatly on photochemistry, the higher humidity and greater rainfall amounts would have a large impact on levels of these pollutants. July- Temperatures across the state in July 2010 were above normal, although both record highs and record lows were recorded during the month. Rainfall was spotty at best, with most of the state receiving below normal rainfall. The conditions in July 2000, however, continued with a summer drought that climatologists labeled as one of "historic proportions" (Figure 78). Rainfall totals 7 or more inches below normal for a 3-month summer period were reported from central Georgia westward into central and Eastern Alabama. The U.S. Geological Survey indicated on July 18, 2000 that in five southeastern states (SC, GA, AL, MS, and FL), new daily record low streamflows were recorded due to the minimal rainfall that year.
Figure 78: Drought Conditions Recorded by the U.S. Drought Monitor for Mid-July 2000
August - Ozone concentrations exceeded federal air quality standards 16 days during August 2000, compared to four days (up to August 25, 2010) during August 2010. The high number of exceedances during 2000 relative to 2010 can be partly attributed to meteorological conditions consisting of lower relative humidity and a blocked flow from the Gulf of Mexico. During a period from August 13-19, 2000, seven of those exceedances occurred. Throughout this period, the Southeast was dominated by a surface and upper level ridge, completely cutting off the flow of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Subsequently, the average relative humidity (RH) for Atlanta during this period was 43% with very sunny and stable conditions, allowing ozone concentrations to spike. This relatively low relative humidity was reflected throughout much of August 2000 compared to August 2010, as shown by the RH data in Figure 79. Most days in August 2010 had a daily average (daily averages taken from 7 AM to 5 PM) relative humidity between 60 and 75%, with a peak at 70%. August 2000 had a wide RH range between 35% and 95%, with a peak at about 60%.
112 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Meteorological Report
Number of Days
August 2000
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 Average RH (%)
Number of Days
August 2010
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 Average RH (%)
Figure 79: Average Daily Relative Humidity for August 2000 and 2010 (Averages taken from 7am to 5pm. August 2010 Data Include Daily Averages up to August 25, 2010.)
Summary It would be difficult (without further analysis) to quantify the exact parameters that contributed to the low number of ozone violations in 2010, verses large number of exceedances in 2000. However, based on the preliminary analysis conducted, it is a safe assumption that moisture played a significant role in each ozone season. The U.S. Drought Monitor labeled the summer drought of 2000 as one of "historic proportions." The drought intensity was categorized as an exceptional drought for a large part of Georgia, extreme Southeastern Alabama, and parts of Northwestern Florida for a large majority of the summer. These hot and dry conditions most likely contributed to the elevated number of ozone violations recorded during that ozone season. In contrast, a persistently moist airmass across the
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Environmental Protection Division
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Section: Meteorological Report
Southeast in the summer of 2010, due in large part to an open Gulf of Mexico and the more favorable climatological position of the Atlantic subtropical high, played a significant role in the low number of ozone violations recorded during these summer months.
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Section: Quality Assurance
QUALITY ASSURANCE
The purpose of this report is to provide ambient air quality users and the general public, with a summary of the quality of the 2010 ambient air monitoring data in quantifiable terms. It presents an overview of various quality assurance and quality control activities. The tables included in this report provide summary data for ambient air monitoring stations in the statewide network.
The Georgia Air Protection Branch mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective and efficient reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering the effects on the economy of the state. The Ambient Air Monitoring Program provides a key element of that mission through collecting and reporting on quality information on a large number of pollutants and for a vast air monitoring network. The Ambient Air Monitoring Program, directed by federal law, conducts various monitoring projects in support of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR), Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The monitoring projects include gaseous criteria and non-criteria pollutants, particulate matter, air toxics, non-methane hydrocarbons, and meteorological parameters. Data from these monitoring sources provide the means to determine the nature of the pollution problem and assess the effectiveness of the control measures and programs.
It is the goal of the Ambient Monitoring Program to provide accurate, relevant, and timely measurements of air pollutants and their precursors associated with the corresponding meteorological data to support Georgias Air Protection Branch for the protection of environment and public health. The Quality Assurance Unit conducts various quality assurance activities to ensure that data collected comply with procedures and regulations set forth by the U.S. EPA and can be considered good quality data and data for record.
What is quality assurance? Quality assurance is an integrated system of management activities that involves planning, implementing, assessing, and assuring data quality through a process, item, or service that meets users needs for quality, completeness, representativeness and usefulness. Known data quality enables users to make judgment about compliance with quality standards, air quality trends and health effects based on sound data with a known level of confidence. The objective of quality assurance is to provide accurate and precise data, minimize data loss due to malfunctions, and to assess the validity of the air monitoring data to provide representative and comparable data of known precision and accuracy.
Quality assurance (QA) is composed of two activities: quality control and quality assessment. Quality control (QC) is composed of a set of internal tasks performed routinely at the instrument level that ensures accurate and precise measured ambient air quality data. Quality control tasks address sample collection, handling, analysis, and reporting. Examples include calibrations, routine service checks, chain-of-custody documentation, duplicate analysis, development and maintenance of standard operating procedures, and routine preparation of quality control reports.
Quality assessment is a set of external, quantitative tasks that provide certainty that the quality control system is satisfactory and that the stated quantitative programmatic objectives for air quality data are indeed met. Staff independent of those generating data perform these external tasks. Tasks include conducting regular performance audits, on-site system audits, inter-laboratory comparisons, and periodic evaluations of internal quality control data. Performance audits ascertain whether the samplers are operating within the specified limits as stated in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Table 8 illustrates the types of performance audits currently performed by the QA program in 2010. Field and laboratory performance audits are the most common. System audits are performed on an as needed basis or by request. Whole air sample comparisons are conducted for the toxic air contaminants and non-methane hydrocarbons.
115 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
Air Monitoring Program
Gaseous Pollutants Particulate Matter Air Toxic Contaminants Non-Methane Hydrocarbons
Meteorology
Field Performance
Audit X X X X X
Laboratory Performance
Audit
X X X
System Audit
X X
X X
Whole Air Audit
X X
Table 8: Audits Performed for Each Air Monitoring Program in 2010
QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT
The Quality Assurance Program supports all ambient monitoring programs undertaken by Georgia EPD, which in 2010 includes gaseous pollutants, particulate pollutants, air toxics contaminants, nonmethane hydrocarbons and meteorological sensors run by the Ambient Monitoring Program. In 2010, 60 air monitoring sites operated in Georgia (including 11 sites that were temporarily not operational, see Table 2 for details). Appendix E provides information about the air-monitoring network (i.e., sampling schedules, number of instruments, collection/analysis method, etc.). The air quality monitors collect data in both real-time and on a time integrated basis. The data is used to define the nature, extent, and trends of air quality in the state; to support programs required by state and federal laws; and to track progress in attaining air quality standards. The precision and accuracy necessary depends on how the data will be used. Data that must meet specific requirements (i.e., criteria pollutants) are referred to as controlled data sets. Criteria for the accuracy, precision, completeness, and sensitivity of the measurement in controlled data sets must be met and documented.
The process by which one determines the quality of data needed to meet the monitoring objective is sometimes referred to as the Data Quality Objectives Process. Data quality indicators associated with measurement uncertainty include:
Precision. A measurement of mutual agreement among individual measurements of the same property usually under prescribed similar conditions, expressed generally in terms of the standard deviation.
Bias. The systematic or persistent distortion of a measurement process, which causes errors in one direction.
Accuracy. The degree of agreement between an observed value and an accepted reference value. Accuracy includes a combination of random error (imprecision) and systematic error (bias) components that are due to sampling and analytical operations.
Completeness. A measure of the amount of valid data obtained from a measurement system compared to the amount that is expected to be obtained under correct, normal conditions.
Detectability. The low critical range value of a characteristic that a method specific procedure can reliably discern.
Data without formal data quality objectives (i.e., toxics) are called descriptive data sets. The data quality measurements are made as accurately as possible in consideration of how the data are being used. Quantified quality assessment results describe the measurement variability in standard terminology, but no effort is made to confine the data set to values within a predetermined quality limit.
116 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
The Georgia Air Sampling Networks (GASN) Quality Assurance Program is outlined in a five-volume Quality Assurance Manual. The volumes, listed below, guide the operation of the quality assurance programs used by the GASN.
Volume I: Quality Assurance Plan Volume II: Standard Operating Procedures for Air Quality Monitoring Volume III: Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures Volume IV: Monitoring Methods for the State Ambient Air Quality standards Volume V: Audit Procedures for Air Quality Monitoring
Volume I lists the data quality objectives and describes quality control and quality assessment activities used to ensure that the data quality objectives are met.
GASEOUS POLLUTANTS
Sampling Cone
Ambient concentrations of Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) are continuously monitored by an automated network of stations run by the Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program. Exposure to these pollutants may cause adverse health effects such as: respiratory impairment, fatigue, permanent lung damage, and increased susceptibility to infection in the general population. Gaseous criteria and non-criteria pollutant data are a controlled data set and are subject to meeting mandatory regulations.
Accuracy: Annually, EPA conducts field through-the probe (TTP) performance audits for gaseous pollutants to verify the system accuracy of the automated methods and to ensure the integrity of the sampling system. Accuracy is represented as an average percent difference. The average percent difference is the combined differences from the certified value of all the individual audit points. The upper and lower probability limits represent the expected accuracy of 95 percent of all the single analyzers individual percent differences for all audit test levels at a single site. Bias is the systematic or persistent distortion of a measurement process, which causes errors in one direction. Overall, the responses of the individual analyzers indicate that as a whole, the network is providing accurate data. Ninety-five percent of the gaseous pollutant instruments audited in 2010 were found to be operating within the Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring control limits (15%). The tables below summarize the 2010 performance audit results for each gaseous pollutant.
Precision: On a weekly basis, site operators confirm the linear response of the instrument by performing zero, precision and span checks. The zero precision check confirms the instruments ability to maintain a stable reading. The span precision check confirms the instruments ability to respond to a known concentration of gas. The degree of variability in each of these weekly measurements is computed as the precision of that instruments measurements.
Annually, the Quality Assurance Unit conducts a precision data analysis as an overall indicator of data quality. The analysis addresses three parameters: precision data submission, precision data validity, and a combination of the two referred to as data usability rates. The precision performance goal for all three parameters is 85%. The submission rate is the number of precision points submitted for a pollutant divided by the expected number of bi-weekly submissions. Data validity is the percent difference of the actual and indicated values of each precision check. These differences should not exceed 15% for gaseous analyzers. Usable data rates are determined by multiplying the data submission and data validity rates that indicate the completeness of verifiable air quality data on the Official database. The tables below show the Georgia annual Data Quality Assessment summary for the gaseous pollutants (NO, NO2, NOX, CO, SO2, O3).
117 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
NO Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary
Site Code
Site Name
Validation of Bias Annual Performance Evaluation Bias
No. of Precision Absolute Bias
Obs. CV (%) Estimate (%) Avg 95% LPL 95% UPL No. of Avg
(%) (%)
(%) Obs. (%)
Completeness
95% LPL 95% UPL
(%)
(%)
(%)
13-089-0002 Decatur - S. DeKalb
58 2.55
2.85
-1.85 -6.35 2.43
8 -0.87 -6.40
4.66
97
13-223-0003 Yorkville - King's Farm 56 3.77
5.92
-5.36 -11.42 1.51
4 -2.51 -11.07 6.05
96
13-247-0001 Conyers - Monastery 57 4.06
5.94
-4.89 -11.90 2.03
4 5.14 3.22
7.06
97
Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program 171 3.45
4.89
-4.01 -10.04 2.02 16 0.22 -5.63
6.07
97
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Table 9: NO Data Quality Assessment
NO2 Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary
Site Code
Site Name
Validation of Bias Annual Performance Evaluation Bias
No. of Precision Absolute Bias
Obs. CV (%) Estimate (%) Avg 95% LPL 95% UPL No. of Avg
(%) (%)
(%) Obs. (%)
Completeness
95% LPL 95% UPL
(%)
(%)
(%)
13-089-0002 Decatur - S. DeKalb
58 2.09
2.31
1.68 -1.91 5.27
7 -0.30 -6.72
6.12
97
13-223-0003 Yorkville - King's Farm 50 4.09
3.03
0.36 -6.59 7.31
4 -2.07 -4.41
0.28
96
13-247-0001 Conyers - Monastery 57 3.77
3.94
2.48 -3.98 8.95
4 -0.94 -1.91
0.03
97
Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program 165 3.28
3.09
1.56 -4.24 7.35 15 -0.94 -5.66
3.77
97
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Table 10: NO2 Data Quality Assessment
NOx Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary
Site Code
Site Name
Validation of Bias Annual Performance Evaluation Bias
No. of Precision Absolute Bias
Obs. CV (%) Estimate (%) Avg 95% LPL 95% UPL No. of Avg
(%) (%)
(%) Obs. (%)
Completeness
95% LPL 95% UPL
(%)
(%)
(%)
13-089-0002 Decatur - S. DeKalb
58 1.95
1.54
0.06 -3.32 3.38
7 -1.43 -7.26
4.40
97
13-223-0003 Yorkville - King's Farm 56 4.17
3.99
-2.26 -9.40 4.89
4 -3.16 -11.56 5.24
96
13-247-0001 Conyers - Monastery 54 3.95
3.24
-1.01 -7.76 5.73
4 5.10 3.55
6.65
97
Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program 168 3.33
2.90
-1.06 -7.02 4.90 15 -0.15 -6.08
5.78
97
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Table 11: NOX Data Quality Assessment
118 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
CO Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary
Site Code
Site Name
Validation of Bias Annual Performance Evaluation Bias
No. of Precision Absolute Bias
Obs. CV (%) Estimate (%) Avg 95% LPL 95% UPL No. of Avg
(%) (%)
(%) Obs. (%)
Completeness
95% LPL 95% UPL
(%)
(%)
(%)
13-089-0002 Decatur - S. Dekalb
56 5.31
6.10
-4.27 -13.36 4.83
6 5.57 -3.41
14.56
98
13-121-0099 Atlanta Roswell Rd. 60 5.96
5.57
-2.49 0.00 7.95
9 -4.23 -9.31
0.85
97
13-223-0003 Yorkville - King's Farm 59 2.73
2.65
1.41 -3.35 6.05
6 0.00 -2.83
2.83
90
Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program 119 4.36
4.12
-0.56 -8.57 7.45 15 -2.54 -6.89
1.81
94
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Table 12: CO Data Quality Assessment
SO2 Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary
Site Code
Site Name
Validation of Bias Annual Performance Evaluation Bias
No. of Precision Absolute Bias
Obs. CV (%) Estimate (%) Avg 95% LPL 95% UPL No. of Avg
(%) (%)
(%) Obs. (%)
Completeness
95% LPL 95% UPL
(%)
(%)
(%)
13-021-0012 Macon - Forestry
65 3.96
5.82 4.78 -1.87 11.84 6 -5.99 -10.61 -1.37
93
13-051-0021 Savannah - E President St. 56 3.73
3.53 2.65 -3.82 8.98 3 3.14 1.97 4.32
95
13-051-1002 Savannah - L & A
58 3.65
4.64 3.98 -2.36 10.17 3 -3.30 -4.08 -2.53
98
13-215-0008 Columbus Airport
56 2.77
5.72 5.14 0.40 9.88 3 -6.78 -7.41 -6.14
98
13-115-0003 Rome - Coosa Elementary 60 2.92
3.91 3.10 -1.89 8.16 6 0.77 -0.55 2.08
98
13-121-0055 Atlanta - Confederate Ave. 55 2.05
4.53 4.09 0.58 7.59 3 -6.63 -10.88 -2.37
97
13-127-0006 Brunswick - Risley School 55 2.93
4.15 3.55 -1.46 8.56 3 -6.42 -11.69 -1.15
97
Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program 405 3.17
4.64 3.91 -1.41 9.24 27 -3.38 -6.64 -0.12
96
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Table 13: SO2 Data Quality Assessment
119 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
O3 Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary
Site Code
Site Name
No. of Obs.
Precision Estimate CV (%)
Absolute Bias
Estimate (%)
Validation of Bias
Avg (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
Annual Performance Evaluation Bias
No. of Avg Obs. (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
Completeness (%)
13-021-0012
Macon - Forestry
36 1.27 0.89 0.34 -1.80 2.38 3 -2.19 -3.24 -1.15
98
13-051-0021
Savannah - East President St.
34 1.80 3.36 -2.88 -5.83 0.07 3 -1.89 -4.20 0.42
99
13-055-0001 Summerville - DNR Fish Hatchery 34 1.03 0.70 0.33 -1.35 2.02 3 1.43 -0.53 3.38
99
13-059-0002
Athens - Fire Station 7
37 2.09 2.34 -1.54 -5.00 1.92 3 0.77 -2.94 4.47
96
13-067-0003 Kennesaw - Georgia National Guard 34 1.00 0.80 0.30 -1.33 1.94 3 2.19 1.14 3.24
99
13-073-0001
Evans - Riverside Park
39 2.80 2.46 -0.72 -5.09 4.24 3 0.83 -2.00 3.66
98
13-077-0002 Newnan - University of West Georgia 37 1.58 1.56 0.98 -1.64 3.59 3 3.79 1.47 6.12
99
13-085-0001
Dawsonville - Georgia Forestry
39 1.24 1.91 -1.76 -3.66 0.48 3 1.12 -0.96 3.19
99
13-089-0002
Decatur - South DeKalb
58 2.26 1.80 0.05 -3.81 3.96 3 -0.24 -2.03 1.55
99
13-097-0004 Douglasville - West Strickland Street 37 0.65 0.60 -0.46 -1.52 0.63 3 2.37 1.92 2.82
99
13-121-0055
Atlanta - Confederate Ave.
38 2.70 2.03 0.46 -4.03 4.94 3 4.32 3.08 5.56
99
13-127-0006
Brunswick - Risley School
26 4.43 3.69 1.06 -5.99 8.11 3 3.38 0.62 6.13
99
13-135-0002
Lawrenceville - Gwinnett Tech
37 1.61 1.34 0.58 -2.09 3.25 3 4.14 2.69 5.60
94
13-151-0002 McDonough - County Extension Office 35 0.72 0.56 0.38 -0.80 1.57 3 1.05 -2.52 4.63
99
13-213-0003
Chatsworth - Fort Mountain
35 0.89 0.76 -0.34 -1.81 1.12 3 1.43 -0.53 3.38
97
13-215-0008
Columbus - Airport
39 1.20 0.73 -0.14 -2.12 1.85 3 14.32 13.08 15.56
98
13-223-0003
Yorkville - King's Farm
35 1.13 0.84 -0.19 -2.04 1.67 3 2.54 2.39 2.69
99
13-245-0091
Augusta - Bungalow Rd.
37 1.94 1.57 -0.72 -3.72 2.69 3 -2.02 -3.66 -0.38
98
13-247-0001
Conyers - Monastery
37 1.45 1.38 0.55 -1.65 3.14 3 3.55 1.01 6.09
97
13-261-1001
Leslie - Union High School
39 2.62 2.24 -0.85 -5.21 3.51 3 -1.55 -4.64 1.53
95
Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program
743 1.71 1.56 -0.24 -3.38 2.90 60 1.97 -0.20 4.14
97
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Table 14: O3 Data Quality Assessment
PARTICULATE MATTER
Particulate matter is a mixture of substances that include elements such as carbon, metals, nitrates, organic compounds and sulfates; complex mixtures such as diesel exhaust and soil. Particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns or smaller pose an increased health risk because they can deposit deep in the lung and contain substances that are particularly harmful to human health. Respirable particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increase the chance of respiratory disease, lung damage, cancer, and premature death.
Particulate matter monitoring is conducted using both manual and continuous type samplers. Manual samplers are operated on a six-day sampling schedule for PM10, and a similar, or more frequent schedule, for PM2.5. The Georgia Ambient Monitoring particulate program also includes total suspended particulates (TSP) sulfate, mass and lead monitoring.
Particulate matter is a controlled data set, and as such is subject to formal data quality objectives and federal and state regulations.
120 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
Accuracy (field): The accuracy of particulate samplers is determined by comparing the instrument's flow rate to a certified variable orifice (PM10 and TSP), or a calibrated mass flow meter (TEOM, BAM, and PM2.5 samplers) that is certified against a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable flow device or calibrator. Since an accurate measurement of particulate matter is dependent upon flow rate, the Ambient Monitoring Program conducts annual flow rate audits at each site. The average percent difference between the sampler flow rates and the audit flow rates represents the combined differences from the certified value of all the individual audit points for each sampler. The upper and lower probability limits represent the expected flow rate accuracy for 95 percent of all the single analyzers individual percent differences for all audit test levels at a single site.
Overall, the 2010 flow audit results indicate that the flow rates of samplers in the network are almost all within bounds. Approximately ninety-eight percent of the instruments audited in 2010 operated within the Georgia Ambient Monitoring Programs control limits. The 2010 PM2.5 yearly data quality assessment summary of integrated and analyzation using federal reference method, the PM2.5 yearly data quality assessment summary semi-continuous measurements, and the PM10 yearly data quality assessment summary of 24-hour integrated measurements are shown in the tables below.
121 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
PM2.5 Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary of Integrated Sampling and Analyzation Using Federal Reference Method
Site Code
Site Name
Collocated (g/m3)
One-Point Flow Rate Check (L/min)
No. of Obs.
Precision Estimate CV (%)
No. of Obs.
Avg (%)
Absolute Bias (%)
Signed Bias (%)
Semi-Annual Flow Check (L/min) (Bias %)
No. of Obs.
Avg (%)
95% 95% LPL UPL (%) (%)
Completeness (%)
13-021-0007
Macon - Allied Chemical
24 5.26 12 0.71 0.94 +0.94 2 1.34 0.48 2.19
94
13-021-0012
Macon - Macon SE
NA NA 12 0.66 0.92 +0.92 3 0.54 -0.54 1.63
87
13-051-0017 Savannah - Market Street (Scott) 25 4.51 12 -0.42 1.62 +/-1.62 2 0.45 -0.30 1.21
89
13-051-0091 Savannah - Mercer Jr. High School NA NA 12 -0.14 2.25 +/-2.25 2 -0.57 -1.14 0.01
81
13-059-0001
Athens - Fire Station 7
NA NA 12 0.23 0.46 +0.46 3 0.28 -0.49 1.05
89
13-063-0091
Forest Park - D.O.T.
NA NA 12 -0.94 1.64 -1.64
3 -0.02 -0.96 0.92
93
13-067-0003 Kennesaw - National Guard
NA NA 13 -0.67 2.64 +/-2.64 2 0.58 -1.85 3.01
91
Powder Springs - Macland Aquatic
13-067-0004
Center
NA NA 14 0.65 1.96 +/-1.96 3 0.46 0.28 0.64
94
13-089-0002
Decatur - South DeKalb
25 11.76 12 -0.21 0.48 -0.48
3 -2.13 -3.95 -0.31
91
13-089-2001 Doraville - Health Department NA NA 14 -0.07 2.29 +/-2.29 4 -0.22 -2.04 1.61
93
13-095-0007 Albany - Turner Elem. School NA NA 19 -0.13 0.74 +/-0.74 4 0.04 -1.93 2.01
79
13-115-0005
Rome - Coosa High School
NA NA 15 -1.33 3.48 -3.48
3 -1.37 -4.05 1.31
82
13-121-0032
Atlanta - E. Rivers School
222 5.03 13 0.43 1.25 +1.25 3 -0.86 -3.55 1.83
91
13-121-0039
Atlanta Fire Station 8
NA NA 12 -0.43 0.76 -0.76
2 -1.27 -2.00 -0.54
88
13-127-0006 Brunswick - Risley Middle Sch. NA NA 11 -0.32 1.25 -1.25
3 -0.02 -0.90 0.86
65
13-135-0002 Lawrenceville - Gwinnett Tech NA NA 13 -0.22 0.47 +/-0.47 5 -1.11 -4.11 1.89
90
13-139-0003 Gainesville - Fair St. Elem. Sch. NA NA 13 -0.27 0.46 -0.46
3 -0.21 -2.18 1.75
93
13-153-0001 Warner Robins - Warner Robins NA NA 12 0.00 0.46 +/-0.46 3 -0.14 -1.42 1.15
91
13-185-0003 Valdosta - S. L. Mason School NA NA 12 0.09 0.81 +/-0.81 3 0.10 -0.66 0.86
90
13-215-0001 Columbus - Health Department NA NA 13 -0.19 1.75 +/-1.75 2 0.21 -0.37 0.80
89
13-215-0008
Columbus - Airport
NA NA 15 0.06 0.34 +/-0.34 3 0.33 -1.52 2.17
97
13-215-0011 Columbus - Cussetta Rd. Sch. NA NA 10 -0.99 1.45 -1.45
3 0.30 -0.89 1.49
94
13-223-0003
Yorkville - King's Farm
NA NA 13 0.51 1.00 +1
3 -0.50 -1.02 0.03
94
13-245-0005
Augusta - Med. Col. of GA
18 5.47 12 -0.74 1.23 -1.23
3 -0.48 -1.06 0.11
87
13-245-0091 Augusta - Bungalow Rd. Sch. NA NA 12 -0.42 0.96 +/-0.96 3 0.34 -1.00 1.69
94
13-295-0002 Rossville - Health Department NA NA 17 -0.42 0.92 +/-0.92 2 -0.83 NA NA
93
13-303-0001 Sandersville - Health Department NA NA 12 -0.82 1.10 -1.1
3 -0.18 -0.59 0.23
85
13-319-0001
Gordon - Police Dept
NA NA 12 0.68 1.26 +1.26 3 -2.11 -5.50 1.27
89
Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program
314 5.57 361 -0.17 1.25
81 -0.29 -2.76 1.88
89
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Table 15: PM2.5 Data Quality Assessment for FRM Samplers
122 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
PM2.5 Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary of Semi-Continuous Measurements
Site Code
Site Name
One-Point Flow Rate Check Semi-Annual Flow Check (L/min) (Bias
(L/min)
%)
Completeness
No. of Avg Absolute Signed No. of Avg 95% LPL 95% UPL
(%)
Obs. (%) Bias (%) Bias (%) Obs. (%) (%)
(%)
13-021-0012
Macon - Macon SE
13 0.01 0.54 +/-0.54 3 -1.24 -3.14 0.66
87
13-051-1002 Savannah - W. Lathrop & Augusta Ave. 12 -0.22 1.43 +/-1.43 3 2.09 -5.86 10.03
89
13-059-0002
Athens - Fire Station 7
11 0.62 0.74 +0.74 2 3.97 -3.67 11.61
89
13-077-0002 Newnan - University of West Georgia 16 0.21 1.34 +/-1.34 4 0.62 0.17
1.07
88
13-089-0002
Decatur - South DeKalb
14 -1.25 2.30 -2.3
3 -0.15 -2.99 2.70
93
13-121-0055
Atlanta - Confederate Ave.
12 -0.69 2.08 +/-2.08 2 -1.45 -1.85 -1.04
87
13-135-0002
Lawrenceville - Gwinnett Tech
12 -0.29 0.70 +/-0.7 3 -0.46 -1.21 0.30
90
13-151-0002 McDonough - County Extension Office 13 -0.08 1.40 +/-1.4 2 0.24 -0.26
0.74
87
13-215-0008
Columbus - Airport
12 -2.29 2.84 -2.84 4 0.27 -1.15 1.70
97
13-223-0003
Yorkville - King's Farm
12 1.31 1.52 +1.52 2 0.70 -1.57 2.97
94
13-245-0091
Augusta - Bungalow Rd. Sch.
14 -0.77 1.32 -1.32 4 -0.53 -5.68 4.62
94
Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program
151 -0.26 1.46
34 0.31 -3.59 4.50
89
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Table 16: PM2.5 Data Quality Assessment for Semi-Continuous Samplers
PM10 Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary of 24-Hour Integrated Measurements
Site Code
Site Name
Collocated (g/m3)
One-Point Flow Rate Check Semi-Annual Flow Check
(L/min)
(L/min)
Completeness
No. of Obs.
Precision Estimate CV (%)
No. of Obs.
Avg (%)
Absolute Bias (%)
Signed Bias (%)
No. of Obs.
Avg (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
(%)
13-021-0007
Macon - Allied Chemical
55 24.48 12 -0.60 1.14 +/-1.14 4 0.55 -1.48 0.96
92
13-051-0014
Savannah - Shuman School
NA NA 12 -1.21 1.61 -1.61 2 -0.24 -4.94 3.92
93
13-055-0001 Summerville - DNR Fish Hatchery NA NA 13 -0.06 2.04 +/-2.04 3 1.09 -3.73 5.91
97
13-089-2001
Doraville - Police Department NA NA 12 -0.52 0.71 -0.71 2 2.37 0.00 0.00
98
13-095-0007
Albany - Turner Elem. School NA NA 16 -0.31 0.80 +/-0.8 3 16.95 -2.20 1.34
100
13-115-0005
Rome - Coosa High School
NA NA 13 -0.41 1.94 -1.94 4 0.94 -2.48 1.78
97
13-121-0032
Atlanta - E. Rivers School
41 14.82 12 -0.12 0.48 +/-0.48 3 -0.38 -2.20 1.44
93
13-115-0005 Brunswick - Arco Pump Station NA NA 12 -0.20 0.82 +/-0.82 2 -1.41 -3.11 2.17
84
Columbus - Cussetta Rd. Elem.
13-121-0039
School
NA NA 18 -0.64 1.18 -1.18 2 1.38 0.88 1.88
97
Augusta - Bungalow Rd. Elem.
13-245-0091
School
NA NA 13 -0.92 1.87 -1.87 3 -1.08 -1.33 4.72
90
13-303-0001 Sandersville - Health Department NA NA 12 -0.60 2.65 -2.65 3 -0.94 -3.58 3.88
89
Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Program:
96 39.30 145 -0.51 1.37
31 1.84 -3.40 2.18
94
NA: Not Applicable
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Table 17: PM10 Data Quality Assessment of 24-Hour Integrated Samplers
Precision (field): Precision data for non-continuous particulate samplers is obtained through collocated sampling whereby two identical samplers are operated side-by-side and the same laboratory conducts filter analyses. Collocated samplers are located at selected sites and are intended to represent overall network precision. Validity of the data is based on the percent difference of the mass concentrations of the two samplers. In 2010 collocated PM2.5 samplers were operated at Augusta Medical College, Atlanta E. Rivers, Decatur-South DeKalb, Savannah Scott School and Macon Allied. Collocated PM10
123 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
samplers were operated at Atlanta E. Rivers and Macon Allied. Collocated TSP-Lead samplers were operated at Atlanta DMRC.
Particulate samplers (collocated PM10 and TSP) must have mass concentrations greater than or equal to 20 g/m3 to be used in data validity calculations. The difference between the mass concentrations must be no greater than 5 g/m3. If the mass concentrations are greater than 80 g/m3, the difference
must be within 7% of each other. TSP (lead) samplers must have both mass concentrations greater than or equal to 0.15 g/m3 to be used in data validity calculations. For collocated PM2.5 samplers,
data probability limits validity is based on the samplers coefficient of variation, which cannot exceed 10%. Both sample masses must also be greater than 6 g/m3.
Precision for continuous PM2.5 monitors is based on the comparison of the samplers/analyzers indicated and actual flow rates. The differences between the flow rates must be within 15.
Accuracy (lab): Annual performance audits for PM10 and PM2.5 mass analysis programs include an onsite check and assessment of the filter weighing balance, relative humidity and temperature sensors, and their documentation. The performance audits conducted in 2010 found that the Ambient Monitoring Program was operating in accordance with U.S. EPA guidelines and that the data were of good quality and should be considered data-for-record.
Precision (lab): Laboratories perform various quality control tasks to ensure that quality data are produced. Tasks include duplicate weighing on exposed and unexposed filters, replicate analysis on every tenth filter, and a calibration of the balance before each weighing session. After samples are collected in the field, laboratory staff has up to 30 days to analyze the PM2.5 samples. Filters are visually inspected for pinholes, loose material, poor workmanship, discoloration, non-uniformity, and irregularities, and are equilibrated in a controlled environment for a minimum of 24 hours prior to the filters being weighed. If room conditions are not within the established U.S. EPA control limits, weighing is done only after the proper environment is re-established and maintained for 24 hours.
In 2010, when samples were analyzed, there were no occurrences in which the Georgias Ambient Monitoring laboratory balance room was outside of control limits. The analytical precision results indicate that the Ambient Monitoring Program is providing precise particulate matter data. The tables below show the unexposed and exposed filter replicate results for the Air Protection Branchs (APB) laboratory in 2010.
QC Checks for Pre-weighed Filters
PM10
Total # of sample analyzed
852
Total # of replicates
48
Total % replicated
5.63%
Total # out-of-range
0
Source: Laboratory Section, Quality Control Report
PM2.5
5882 638 11%
0
Table 18: Summary of Unexposed Filter Mass Replicates
QC Checks for Post-weighed Filters
PM10
Total # of samples analyzed
791
Total # of replicates
38
Total % replicated
5%
Total # out-of-range
0
Source: Laboratory Section, Quality Control Report
Table 19: Summary of Exposed Filter Mass Replicates
PM2.5
4970 509 10.2%
0
124 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
AIR TOXICS
In 1996, the Air Protection Branch established an Air Toxics Network in major urban areas of the state to determine the average annual concentrations of air toxics. The program was established to assess the effectiveness of control measures in reducing air toxics exposures. Compounds identified as air toxics vaporize at ambient temperatures, play a critical role in the formation of ozone, and have adverse chronic and acute health effects. Sources of air toxics include motor vehicle exhaust, waste burning, gasoline marketing, industrial and consumer products, pesticides, industrial processes, degreasing operations, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and dry cleaning operations. Under the current air toxic sampling schedule, ambient air is collected in a stainless steel canister, on a quartz filter, and on a multi-layer cartridge every 12 days over a 24-hour sampling period at each of the network stations. Toxic particulate samples are collected and analyzed for air toxic contaminants to support the Georgia Air Toxic Network. By using a low-flow multi-channel sampler capable of sampling onto filters or cartridges, ambient air is collected and analyzed for carbonyl and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) compounds (also called semi-volatile organic compounds) and toxic metals. The quality of the air toxic data set is governed by a series of quality assurance activities, including audits. The laboratory and monitoring staff are made aware of any exceedance found during an audit, and every effort is made to ensure that the data collected is as accurate as possible.
Flow audits of the toxic metal, VOCs, semi-VOCs and carbonyl samplers are typically conducted annually at each site to ensure the accuracy of measuring toxic metals and carbonyl compounds. Flow rates are a determining factor in calculating concentration and are included as part of the Quality Assurance Program. Although toxics data are a descriptive data set, completeness is issued based on the operating parameters of the sampler. Corrections are made to the data if an audit is found to be outside the Air Toxic Program control limits.
Precision (field and lab): As part of the Air Toxic Program laboratory analyses, internal QC techniques such as blanks, control samples, and duplicate samples are applied to ensure the precision of the analytical methods and that the toxics data are within statistical control. Precision data for noncontinuous toxics particulate samplers are obtained through collocated sampling whereby two identical samplers operate side-by side simultaneously and the same laboratory conducts filter analyses. The collocated toxic sampler located at the Utoy Creek site is intended to represent overall network precision. However, in 2010, the Utoy Creek site did not collect samples. This was one of the sites that was temporarily discontinued as explained earlier, due to funding.
Stainless steel canisters used to collect ambient air samples are also checked for contamination. Canisters are analyzed for aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons. One canister per batch of eight is assayed to ensure individual compound measurements fall below the limit of detection. In the event a compound exceeds canister cleanliness criteria, the canister and all other canisters represented in the batch are re-cleaned until compounds meet the cleanliness criteria. In addition, Xontech 910A air samplers are checked for cleanliness. Failed air collection media are re-cleaned and re-tested until they pass Xontech 910A cleanliness criteria. Overall, the network is providing precise air toxic contaminants data.
Accuracy (field): The accuracy of air toxic samples is determined by comparing the instrument's flow rate to a certified variable orifice (PM10 and TSP), or a calibrated mass flow meter (PM2.5 samplers) that is certified against a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable flow device or calibrator. Since an accurate measurement of particulate matter is dependent upon flow rate, the Ambient Monitoring Program conducts annual flow rate audits at each site. The average percent difference between the sampler flow rates and the audit flow rates represents the combined differences from the certified value of all the individual audit points for each sampler. The upper and lower probability limits represent the expected flow rate accuracy for 95 percent of all the single analyzers individual percent differences for all audit test levels at a single site.
125 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
NATTS
There are currently 187 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), or air toxics, with emissions regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA). These compounds have been associated with a wide variety of adverse human health and ecological effects, including cancer, neurological effects, reproductive effects, and developmental effects. According to the Government Performance Results Act (GPRA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) is committed to reducing air toxics emissions by 75 percent from 1993 levels in order to significantly reduce Americans risk of cancer and of other serious health effects caused by airborne toxic chemicals. Early efforts toward this end have focused on emissions reductions through the assessment of technical feasibility. However, as new assessment tools are developed, more attention is being placed on the goal of risk reduction associated with exposure to air toxics.
To meet the GPRA goals, the National Air Toxics Trends Station (NATTS) network has been established, consisting of 23 stations in the contiguous 48 states, with one in Georgia. Having data of sufficient quality is paramount for a network such as the NATTS. As such, Georgia has closely followed the Quality System (QS) for the NATTS, established by U.S. EPA, two aspects of which are Technical Systems Audits (TSAs) and Instrument Performance Audits (IPAs) of each network station and its affiliated sample analysis laboratory. Another integral part of the QS is the quarterly analysis of performance evaluation (PE) samples. Furthermore, the sampling and analytical techniques selected to collect and quantify the air toxics of concern must demonstrate acceptable analytical and overall sampling precision as well as suitable overall method detection limits that are compatible with expected ambient air toxics concentrations.
There are 23 sites nationwide in the NATTS network. Georgia joined the network with one site established in Decatur at the South DeKalb Monitoring Station. The EPA Region in which the sites are located, the location of the sites (site identifier), whether the site is located in an urban or rural area, and the unique AQS identification code (site code) for all the sites are given in Table 20.
126 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
Region I I I II II III IV IV IV IV IV V V V VI VI VII
VIII
VIII
IX IX X X
Site Identifier Boston-Roxbury, MA Chittenden City, VT
Providence, RI Bronx, NY
Rochester, NY Washington, DC Chesterfield, SC
Decatur, GA Hazard, KY Hillsborough City, Tampa, FL Pinellas City, Tampa, FL Dearborn, MI Mayville, WI Northbrook, IL Deer Park, TX Harrison County, TX St. Louis, MO Bountiful, UT
Grand Junction, CO
Phoenix, AZ San Jose, CA La Grande, OR Seattle, WA
Type Urban Rural Urban Urban Urban Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Urban Urban Rural Urban Urban Rural Urban Urban
Rural
Urban Urban Rural Urban
AQS Site Code 25-025-0042 50-007-0007 44-007-0022 36-005-0110 36-055-1001 11-001-0043 45-025-0001 13-089-0002 21-193-0003 12-057-3002 12-103-0026 26-163-0033 55-027-0007 17-031-4201 48-201-1039 48-203-0002 29-510-0085 49-011-0004 08-077-0017, -0018 04-013-9997 06-085-0005 41-061-0119 53-033-0080
Table 20: NATTS Sites with EPA Region Numbers and AQS Site Codes
Several Measurement Quality Objectives (MQOs) have been established for the NATTS network in order to ensure that only data of the highest quality are collected by the NATTS network, and to meet the NATTS Data Quality Objective (DQO): "to be able to detect a 15 percent difference (trend) between two consecutive 3-year annual mean concentrations within acceptable levels of decision error"2. Initially, the four compounds of primary importance to the NATTS program were benzene, 1,3butadiene, formaldehyde, and PM10 arsenic. The Data Quality Objective MQOs for these four compounds are summarized in Table 21 below.
Compound Completeness Precision (Coefficient of Variation) Laboratory Bias Method Detection Limit (MDL)
Benzene 1,3-Butadiene Formaldehyde
Arsenic
> 85 % > 85 % > 85 % > 85 %
< 15 % < 15 % < 15 % < 15 %
< 25 % < 25 % < 25 % < 25 %
0.044 g/m3 0.020 g/m3 0.014 g/m3 0.046 ng/m3
Table 21: Measurement Quality Objectives for the NATTS Program
Other compounds have been added to the list of compounds, including hexavalent chromium, acrolein, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). GA EPD collects data to monitor for these compounds as part of the NATTS program, as well as organic carbon, additional carbonyls, and additional volatile organic compounds.
2 Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement System. Volume 1. Principles. EPA-600/R94/038A, January 1994.
127 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
The MQOs require that (1) sampling occurs every sixth day and is successful 85 percent of the time; (2) precision as measured by the coefficient of variation (CV) be controlled to less than 15 percent; and (3) that laboratory (measurement) bias be less than 25 percent. Data acquired to assess compliance with the above stated MQOs are derived from a variety of sources. These sources are given in Table 22.
Criteria Completeness Precision Bias - Laboratory Bias - Field
MDL
Data Source Air Quality System (AQS) AQS and Proficiency Testing
Proficiency Testing Audits of Sampler Flowrates
Laboratories
MQO Limit < 15 % < 15 % < 25 % < 10 %
0.046 ng/m3 to 0.044 g/m3
Table 22: MQO Data Sources for the Georgia NAATS Program
The Air Quality System (AQS) database contains raw data that is used to assess data completeness, and to estimate precision from results of replicate analyses and collocated sampling. In addition, results from the analysis of proficiency testing samples allow one to calculate laboratory precision and bias.
Completeness (of NATTS Data): The AQS database was accessed and the raw data records analyzed 23 compounds having the AQS codes given in Table 23. The completeness of the 2010 AQS dataset was assessed for four compounds: benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, and arsenic. The results are shown in Table 24. The presence of 61 concentration values in the database indicates 100 percent completeness, since sampling is to occur every sixth day. Primary and collocated data are differentiated in AQS by use of parameter occurrence codes (POCs).
128 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
Compound Name Benzene
1,3-Butadiene Carbon Tetrachloride
Chloroform 1,2-Dibromoethane 1,2-Dichloropropane 1,2-Dichloroethane
Dichloromethane 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Tetrachloroethylene Trichloroethylene Vinyl Chloride
Cis-1,3-Dichloropropene Trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
Formaldehyde Acetaldehyde
Arsenic Beryllium Cadmium
Lead Manganese
Mercury Nickel
AQS Code 45201 43218 43804 43803 43843 43829 43815 43802 43818 43817 43824 43860 43831 43830 43502 43503 82103 82105 82110 82128 82132 82142 82136
Table 23: 23 Selected HAPs and Their AQS Parameter Codes
Site Decatur, GA
Completeness of Compound by AQS Number and by Name
45201
43218
43502
benzene
1,3-butadiene
formaldehyde
87%
87%
93%
82103 arsenic
95%
Table 24: Percent Completeness of Georgia's 2010 AQS Data, Selected Compounds
PHOTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT MONITORING
In 1996, the Air Protection Branch began a routine seasonal sampling program to gather information about non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) species that were precursors to ozone formation in high ozone areas. In 1994, Federal regulations required states to establish photochemical assessment monitoring stations (PAMS) as part of their State Implementation Plan monitoring networks in areas designated as serious or higher for ozone. Monitoring is to continue until the ozone standard is reached. The PAMS program is intended to supplement ozone monitoring and add detailed sampling for its precursors. PAMS sites collect data on real-time total NMHC, PAMS speciated VOCs, carbonyls, and various meteorological parameters at ground level and aloft. As this is a descriptive data set, there are currently no mandatory data quality objectives or regulations for the data. However, efforts are made to ensure that accurate data are collected and that the analyzers are operating within PAMS audit standards.
Accuracy (field and lab): Laboratory performance audits are conducted annually to assess the laboratorys ability to measure ambient levels of hydrocarbons. Through the probe sampler
129 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
performance audits are typically conducted annually at each monitoring site to assess the integrity of the sampling, analysis, and transport system. The 2010 PAMS speciated VOCs yearly data quality assessment summary for the three PAMS sites on the tables below show that the results were within the PAMs control limits of 20%.
PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary for Decatur - South DeKalb Site
Parameter Code
Parameter Name
2-Comp. Std. Weekly Check
No. of Obs.
Precision Estimate CV
(%)
Absolute Bias
Estimate (%)
Validation of Bias
Avg (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
Annual Perform, Evaluation Bias
No. of Obs.
Avg (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
43202 43204
Ethane+ Propane*
NA
NA
12
15.36
NA
NA NA NA
6
12.39 3.03 -18.41 24.47 6
18.08 17.04
-2.57 2.98
38.72 31.09
43214
Isobutane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
6
7.96
4.33
11.60
43216
Trans-2-Butene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
6
3.98 -0.77
8.73
43220
N-Pentane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
6
4.98 -5.54 15.50
43285
2-Methylpentane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
6
-7.52 -39.16 24.11
43243
Isoprene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
6
-29.50 -46.22 -12.79
43231 45201
N-Hexane+ Benzene*
NA
NA
12
19.12
NA
NA NA NA
6
19.23 10.82 -15.87 37.5
6
30.74 16.14
19.33 2.87
42.15 29.4
43232
N-Heptane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
6
26.53 6.57
46.48
45202
Toluene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
6
15.22 -13.09 43.52
45203
Ethylbenzene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
6
9.81 -14.39 34.01
43238
N-Decane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
6
5.72 -20.10 31.54
45225 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene+ NA
NA
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
PQAO: Primary Quality Assurance Organization
* NIST traceable
+ Only NIST traceable by weight
NA
NA NA NA
6
30.56 -110.68 171.79
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Completeness (%)
85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00 85.00
Table 25: PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment for South DeKalb
130 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary for Conyers - Monastery Site
Parameter Code
Parameter Name
2-Comp. Std. Weekly Check
No. of Obs.
Precision Estimate CV
(%)
Absolute Bias
Estimate (%)
Validation of Bias
Avg (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
Annual Perform, Evaluation Bias
No. of Obs.
Avg (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
43202 43204
Ethane+ Propane*
NA
NA
11
8.28
NA
NA NA NA
3
11.46 8.18 -3.38 19.74 3
26.92 23.06
14.79 17.87
39.05 28.25
43214
Isobutane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
3
7.40
3.24
11.56
43216
Trans-2-Butene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
3
2.35 -1.87
6.56
43220
N-Pentane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
3
1.38 -9.32 12.09
43285
2-Methylpentane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
3
-18.75 -46.68
9.18
43243
Isoprene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
3
-36.79 -38.23 -35.36
43231 45201
N-Hexane+ Benzene*
NA
NA
12
19.26
NA
NA NA NA
3
13.4 -0.89 -27.77 25.99 3
35.67 20.86
27.91 16.00
43.43 25.71
43232
N-Heptane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
3
34.94 27.74 42.14
45202
Toluene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
3
26.02 4.48
47.55
45203
Ethylbenzene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
3
18.98 2.07
35.89
43238
N-Decane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
3
16.01 -2.15 34.18
45225 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene+ NA
NA
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
PQAO: Primary Quality Assurance Organization
* NIST traceable
+ Only NIST traceable by weight
NA
NA NA NA
3
70.78 -105.05 246.62
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Completeness (%)
90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00
Table 26: PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment for Conyers
131 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary for Yorkville King's Farm Site
Parameter Code
Parameter Name
2-Comp. Std. Weekly Check
No. of Obs.
Precision Estimate CV
(%)
Absolute Bias
Estimate (%)
Validation of Bias
Avg (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
Annual Perform, Evaluation Bias
No. of Obs.
Avg (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
43202 43204
Ethane+ Propane*
NA
NA
12
2.60
NA NA NA NA
6
5.61 4.65 1.02 8.29
6
9.81 13.40
-9.07 8.71
28.69 18.09
43214
Isobutane+
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
6
6.72
2.92
10.52
43216
Trans-2-Butene+
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
6
8.19
3.81
12.56
43220
N-Pentane+
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
6
6.72 -1.89 15.33
43285
2-Methylpentane+
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
6
7.18
3.17
11.18
43243
Isoprene+
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
6
-21.45 -35.26 -7.63
43231 45201
N-Hexane+ Benzene*
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
6
26.39 10.28 42.51
13
10.38
17.24 -13.58 -28.32 1.17
6
8.54 -10.93 28.01
43232
N-Heptane+
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
6
21.06 10.3
31.82
45202
Toluene+
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
6
9.74 -7.29 26.77
45203
Ethylbenzene+
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
6
5.68 -16.62 27.98
43238
N-Decane+
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
6
-9.72 -57.34 37.89
45225 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene+ NA
NA
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
PQAO: Primary Quality Assurance Organization
* NIST traceable
+ Only NIST traceable by weight
NA NA NA NA
6
25.72 -127.11 178.55
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Completeness (%)
95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00
Table 27: PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment for Yorkville
132 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment for GA EPD Ambient Air Monitoring Program (as a PQAO)
Parameter Code
Parameter Name
2-Comp. Std. Weekly Check
No. of Obs.
Precision Estimate CV
(%)
Absolute Bias
Estimate (%)
Validation of Bias
Avg (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
Annual Perform, Evaluation Bias
No. of Obs.
Avg (%)
95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
43202 43204
Ethane+ Propane*
NA
NA
35
8.76
NA
NA NA NA
15
9.77 5.20 -9.23 19.64 15
16.54 16.79
-2.19 6.99
35.26 26.58
43214
Isobutane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
15
7.36
3.56
11.15
43216
Trans-2-Butene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
15
5.34 0.83
9.85
43220
N-Pentane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
15
4.96 -4.85 14.76
43285
2-Methylpentane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
15
-3.89 -27.42 19.64
43243
Isoprene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
15 -27.74 -41.75 -13.73
43231 45201
N-Hexane+ Benzene*
NA
NA
37
16.09
NA
NA NA NA
15
16.64 -1.55 -24.81 21.706 15
29.99 14.04
16.85 -1.29
43.12 29.37
43232
N-Heptane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
15
26.02 11.10 40.95
45202
Toluene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
15
15.19 -7.88 38.25
45203
Ethylbenzene+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
15
9.99 -12.34 32.33
43238
N-Decane+
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA
15
1.60 -34.14 37.34
45225 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene+ NA
NA
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
PQAO: Primary Quality Assurance Organization
* NIST traceable
+ Only NIST traceable by weight
NA
NA NA NA
15
36.67 -115.63 188.97
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Completeness (%)
90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00
Table 28: PAMS Speciated VOCs Yearly Data Quality Assessment for Ambient Monitoring Program
METEOROLOGY
The Ambient Monitoring Program monitors meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, total ultra violet radiation, precipitation and total solar radiation. Real-time meteorological data are generated to characterize meteorological processes such as transport and diffusion, and to make air quality forecasts and burn day decisions. The data are also used for control strategy modeling, case study analysis, and urban airshed modeling. A state/local meteorology subcommittee of the Air Monitoring Technical Advisory Commission (AMTAC) agreed to define the level of acceptability for meteorological data as those used by the U.S. EPA for both the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) programs. The Quality Assurance Unit audits to those levels.
The data variability collected by this element of the monitoring program is generally described as meeting or not meeting the PSD requirements. Station operators are notified if an exceedance is found during an audit, and every effort is made to enusre that the data meets the audit standards. The wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature and relative humidity data sets are controlled data sets, and subject to meeting PAMS objectives. Since the inception of the meteorological audit program, the data quality has improved significantly.
133 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Quality Assurance
Accuracy (field): The accuracy of meteorological sensors is checked by annual performance audits. Table 29 summarizes the 2010 data quality assessment results. The average difference (average degree difference with respect to ambient temperature) represents the combined differences from the certified value of all the individual audit points for each sensor. The upper and lower probability limits represent the expected accuracy of 95 percent of all the single sensors individual percent differences for all audit test levels at a single site.
Meteorological Measurements Yearly Data Quality Assessment Summary for GA EPD Ambient Air Monitoring Program (as a PQAO)
Parameter Code
Parameter Name
Annual Audit (Bias %) No. of Obs. No. of Site Avg (%) 95% LPL (%)
95% UPL (%)
61101
Wind Speed
52
61102
Wind Direction
52
62101 Ambient Temperature
8
64101 Barometric Pressure
6
62201
Relative Humidity
8
95% LPL: 95% Lower Probability Limit
PQAO: Primary Quality Assurance Organization
13
0.33
-1.43
2.08
13
0.18
-0.52
0.87
4
1.87
-0.55
4.29
4
-0.03
-0.16
0.11
4
-1.53
-5.59
2.53
95% UPL: 95% Upper Probability Limit
Completeness (%)
98 98 98 98 98
Table 29: Meteorological Measurements Accuracy Results
QUALITY CONTROL REPORTS
Quality Control (QC) reports are summaries of the quality control activities conducted by the laboratory to support accurate and precise measurements. These activities include: blanks, duplicates, controls, spiked samples, limits of detection, calibrations, and audit results.
STANDARDS LABORATORY
The U.S. EPA Region IV Standards Laboratory yearly performs technical support and certification services for Georgias ozone primary standard. Flow rate transfer standards and certification of compressed gas cylinders are sent to the manufactures for re-certification to ensure that all are traceable to standards of the NIST. A calibration establishes a correction factor to adjust or correct the output of an instrument; a certification establishes traceability of a transfer standard to a NISTtraceable standard; and verification establishes comparability of a standard to a NIST-traceable standard of equal rank.
LABORATORY AND FIELD STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are guidance documents for the operation of quality assurance programs used by the Georgia Ambient Monitoring Program. The SOPs are intended for field operators and supervisors; laboratory, data processing and engineering personnel; and program managers responsible for implementing, designing, and coordinating air quality monitoring projects. Each SOP has a specific method that must be followed to produce data-for-record. The SOPs are developed and published to ensure that, regardless of the person performing the operation, the results will be consistent.
SITING EVALUATIONS
To generate accurate and representative data, ambient monitoring stations should meet specific siting requirements and conditions. It is assumed that the stations meet the siting criteria in place at the time
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initial operation began. The siting requirements of the AMP Quality Assurance Manual Volume II; 40 CFR 58, Appendix E; U.S. EPAs Quality Assurance Handbook Volume IV: U.S. EPAs Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD); and U.S. EPAs PAMS guidelines, present siting criteria to ensure the collection of accurate and representative data. The siting criterion for each pollutant varies depending on the pollutants properties, monitoring objective and intended spatial scale. The U.S. EPAs siting criteria are stated as either "must meet" or "should meet". According to 40 CFR 58, Appendix E, the "must meet" requirements are necessary for high quality data. Any exception from the "must meet" requirements must be formally approved through the Appendix E waiver provision. The "should meet" criteria establish a goal for data consistency. Siting criteria are requirements for locating and establishing stations and samplers to meet selected monitoring objectives, and to help ensure that the data from each site are collected uniformly. There are four main monitoring objectives: to determine highest concentrations expected to occur in the area covered by the network; to determine representative concentrations in areas of high population density; to determine the impact on ambient pollution levels of significant sources or source categories; and to determine general background concentration levels. Typical siting designations are: micro, middle, neighborhood, urban, and regional. These designations represent the size of the area surrounding the monitoring site which experiences relatively uniform pollutant concentrations. Typical considerations for each of these site designations are, for example, the terrain, climate, population, existing emission sources, and distances from trees and roadways. The Quality Assurance Unit conducts siting evaluations annually. Physical measurements and observations include probe/sensor height above ground level, distance from trees, type of ground cover, residence time, obstructions to air flow, and distance to local sources. These measurements and observations are taken to determine compliance with 40 CFR Part 58, Appendix E requirements.
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RISK ASSESSMENT
INTRODUCTION
In 2010, Georgia EPD collected air toxic samples from a total of five Air Toxic Network (ATN) sites, including two background (rural) sites, and one National Air Toxics Trend Station (NATTS). As a result of limited funding, nine of the 14 ATN sites did not collect data in 2010 (refer to Table 2 for a complete list of temporarily discontinued samplers). The following risk assessment reflects data collected at only six sites. The ATN sites that are temporarily discontinued are included in graphical form in the subsequent discussion of those graphs as a comparison to past data. The compounds sampled at the ATN sites are shown in Table 30. The list was derived from the 187 compounds EPA has designated as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPS). Many of the HAPS do not have standardized ambient air sampling and analytical methods. In order to collect the compounds of interest for the Georgia network, at least three types of samplers are used at all locations: HIVOL, PUF, and canister. In addition, a carbonyls sampler was located at the Dawsonville, Savannah, and South DeKalb (NATTS and PAMS) sites in 2010. This equipment samples for metals, semi-volatile organic compounds, volatile organic compounds, and carbonyls once every twelve days following a pre-established schedule that corresponds to a nationwide sampling schedule. On the twelfth day the sampler runs midnight to midnight and takes a 24-hour composite sample. Exceptions to this sampling schedule are the South DeKalb and Gainesville sites. The South DeKalb site samples every six days as part of the National Air Toxics Trends Station (NATTS) and PAMS network. The Gainesville site has an extra random sample collected each month, in addition to the networks regular sample days.
Some of the chemicals monitored in the Air Toxics Network (ATN) are also monitored at sites in the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) network. While the monitoring schedule and some analysis methods are different at the PAMS sites and ATN sites, several of the compounds from the PAMS sites were also evaluated and compared to concentrations measured at nearby ATN sites for this report.
To provide an idea of the size of risks from environmental hazards as risk analysts will describe them, the continuum below presents risk statistics for some familiar events. Risk analysts describe cancer risks numerically in scientific notation, for example 1 x 10[-5] or 1 x 10-5 or 1.00E-05, which means that there is one chance in 100,000 of an event occurring. It is important to note that these risk statistics are population averages, while risk analysts usually estimate risk to the maximum exposed individual. Additionally, it should be noted that these risk values are considered additional risk. That is, risk above and beyond the normal background risk from exposure in everyday life.
Putting Risks in Perspective
RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION
The air toxic data [volatile organic compounds (VOC), semi-volatile organic compounds, and metals] collected during 2010 from the Air Toxics Network was evaluated to assess the potential for health concerns. The data collected for the group of chemicals known as carbonyls were assessed
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separately from the other air toxics, with the exception of acrolein, because those chemicals were only monitored at two of the ATN sites and one of the PAMS locations.
The initial evaluation consisted of a comparison of the monitored results to "health based" screening values. These values were calculated using procedures recommended in EPAs latest guidance on risk assessment for air toxics, ,,A Preliminary Risk-Based Screening Approach for Air Toxics Monitoring Data Sets (U.S. EPA, 2006). Briefly, EPAs prioritized chronic dose-response values for both noncancer (reference concentrations, RfC) and cancer (inhalation unit risks, IUR) were used to generate screening air concentrations. To screen for noncancer effects, the reference concentration was used as a starting point. However, to account for possible exposure to multiple contaminants, the screening air concentration was obtained by dividing the RfC by 10. Screening values for the cancer endpoint were determined by calculating air concentrations equivalent to a risk level of one in one million. Most screening values utilized in this assessment are listed in Appendix A of the previously mentioned guidance document (U.S. EPA, 2006) and updated "Table 1. Prioritized Chronic DoseResponse Values for Screening Risk Assessments (4/27/2010)" (U.S. EPA, 2011). These screening values and the chemicals monitored are displayed in Table 30. For a limited number of chemicals, other resources such as toxicity values from the Regional Screening Table (http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/ots/) were used to calculate conservative screening values. These compounds are indicated with an asterisk. When available, both the names derived from the International Union of Chemistry (IUC) and the common names are given. It is important to emphasize that the screening values were calculated in a very conservative manner. Assumptions were made that accounted for the potential for continuous exposure to air toxics for 24 hours per day for 70 years. The conservative screening process was utilized so that the chance of underestimating the potential for health impacts would be minimized, as chemicals were excluded from further quantitative analysis.
Because results for many of the chemicals assessed were routinely below detection limits of the analytical methods available, the initial review of the data was based on an assessment of the number of chemicals detected and the frequency with which they were detected. The process included determining how often (if at all) a chemical was detected (present), if it was present above detection limits, and if those concentrations were above screening values of concern.
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Chemical
Screen Value Chemical (g/m3)
Screen Value (g/m3)
Metals
Antimony
0.02 Cobalt
0.01
Arsenic
0.00023 Lead
0.15
Beryllium
0.00042 Manganese
0.005
Cadmium
0.00056 Nickel
0.0021
Chromium
0.000083 Selenium
2
Chromium VI
0.000083 Zinc
N/A
Semi-Volatiles
Acenaphthene
0.3 Cyclopenta(cd)pyrene
N/A
Acenaphthylene
0.3 Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
0.00083
Anthracene
0.3 Fluoranthene
0.3
Benzo(a)anthracene
0.0091 Fluorene
0.3
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
0.0091 9-Fluorenone
N/A
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
0.0091 Ideno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene
0.0091
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
0.3 Naphthalene
0.029
Benzo(a)pyrene
0.00091 Phenanthrene
0.3
Benzo(e)pyrene
0.3 Perylene
N/A
Chrysene
0.091 Pyrene
0.3
Coronene
N/A Retene
N/A
Volatile Organic Compounds
Benzene
0.13 1,3 and 1,4-Dimethylbenzene (m/p-Xylene)
10
Benzenecarbonal (Benzaldehyde)
N/A Ethanal (Acetaldehyde)
0.45
Benzyl chloride Bromomethane (Methyl bromide) 1,3-Butadiene
Butanal (Butyraldehyde) Chlorobenzene (Phenyl chloride) Chloroethane (Ethyl chloride) Chloroethene (Vinyl chloride) Chloromethane (Methyl chloride) Cyclohexane 1,2-Dibromoethane (Ethylene bromide) 1,2-Dichlorobenzene 1,3-Dichlorobenzene 1,4-Dichlorobenzene Dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon 12) 1,1-Dichloroethane (Ethylidene chloride) cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
1,1-Dichloroethene (1,1-Dichloroethylene) Dichloromethane (Methylene chloride) 1,2-Dichloropropane (Propylene chloride) cis-1,3-Dichloropropene trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
1,1-Dichloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane(Freon114) 1,2-Dimethylbenzene (o-Xylene)
0.02 0.5 0.03 N/A 100 1000 0.11 9.0 6300* 0.002 0.091 N/A 0.091 210* 0.63 370 210* 2.10 0.3 N/A N/A N/A 10
Ethylbenzene Ethenylbenzene (Styrene) 1-Ethyl,4-methyl benzene (4-Ethyltoluene) Freon 113 Hexachloro-1,3-Butadiene(Hexachlorobutadiene)
n-Hexane Methanal (Formaldehyde) Methylbenzene/Phenylmethane (Toluene)
Propanal (Propionaldehyde) 2-Propanone (Acetone) Propenal (Acrolein) 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane Tetrachloroethene (Perchloroethylene) Tetrachlormethane (Carbon tetrachloride) 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (Methylchloroform) 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethene (Trichloroethylene) Trichlorofluoromethane (Freon 11) Trichloromethane (Chloroform)
100 100 N/A N/A 0.045 70 0.0769 500 0.8 32000* 0.002 0.017 0.17 0.067 20 7.3* N/A 100 0.063 0.5 730* 9.8
*From Regional Screening Table (http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/ots/)
Table 30: Compounds Monitored and Screening Values Used in Initial Assessment
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Table 31 summarizes the total number of chemicals monitored at each site (excluding all carbonyls except acrolein), the number of chemicals detected, and the number of chemicals detected above the health based screening values for 2010. Seventy chemicals were monitored at all the ATN sites, except the South DeKalb site, where 76 air toxic chemicals were monitored. In 2010, thirty-two (32) of the seventy-one (71) sampled compounds were not detected at the sites, and an additional 14 compounds had 2 or fewer sites with detections. The number of chemicals that were detected at concentrations above the screening levels was even less, with a mean value of 6. Of the three categories of chemicals measured at all sites (VOC, semi-VOC, metals), most of the chemicals that were detected above screening values belonged to both the metals and VOCs group.
Location
County
Number of Compounds
Monitored
Number of Compounds
Detected
Number Greater than Screening
Value
Dawsonville
Dawson
71*
23
4
Douglas
Coffee
71
21
6
Macon
Bibb
71
30
8
Savannah
Chatham
71*
26
6
South DeKalb
DeKalb
76*
42
6
Yorkville
Paulding
71
22
6
* 6 additional chemicals were monitored at these locations, but that information is summarized in Table 36.
Table 31: Summary of Chemicals Analyzed in 2010
Table 32, on the following page, shows only the chemicals that were detected above screening values at each ATN site in 2010. It also provides detailed information on how often they were detected (frequency), and the overall average (mean) in micrograms per cubic meter. The number of detects were counted as any number that was above half the method detection limit. The average was computed using the sample concentration when it was above half the method detection limit and substituting half the method detection limit if the sample concentration was below this limit.
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Location Dawsonville Douglas Macon
Savannah South DeKalb Yorkville
Chemical Arsenic Benzene Chromium Acrolein Arsenic Benzene Chromium Manganese Nickel Acrolein Arsenic Benzene Chromium Manganese Naphthalene Nickel Tetrachloroethylene Acrolein Arsenic Benzene Chromium Manganese Nickel Acrolein Arsenic Benzene Chromium Naphthalene Tetrachloroethylene Acrolein Arsenic Benzene Chromium Manganese Nickel Acrolein
Mean (ug/m3) 6.70 x 10-4
4.60 2.00 x 10-3
2.46 1.26 x 10-3 4.66 x 10-1 3.93 x 10-3 6.75 x 10-3 7.18 x 10-3
1.50 8.00 x 10-4
4.31 2.45 x 10-3 7.13 x 10-3 2.95 x 10-2 2.96 x 10-3
1.33 8.88 x 10-1 8.80 x 10-4 7.10 x 10-1 2.40 x 10-3 7.04 x 10-3 4.23 x 10-3
4.25 5.80 x 10-4 5.92 x 10-1 2.11 x 10-3 1.2 x 10-1 8.55 x 10-1
1.52 8.20 x 10-4 4.08 x 10-1 2.70 x 10-3 5.66 x 10-3 3.19 x 10-3 8.24 x 10-1
Detection Frequency 24/26 19/26 26/26 25/26 30/30 6/26 30/30 30/30 30/30 20/26 23/25 20/27 25/25 25/25 23/23 25/25 2/27 23/27 27/28 12/22 27/28 27/28 27/28 17/22 52/58 34/53 58/58 59/59 2/53 50/53 25/28 4/28 26/28 27/28 26/28 23/28
Table 32: Site-Specific Detection Frequency and Mean Chemical Concentration, 2010
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Formula For Calculating Risk Using IUR For Carcinogens
Risk IUR*Conc
Formula For Calculating Hazard Quotient Using RfC For Noncarcinogens
HQ Conc RfC
Equation Parameters Risk Theoretical lifetime cancer risk (unitless probability) HQ Hazard quotient (unitless ratio) Conc Measured ambient air concentration in g/m3 IUR Inhalation unit risk (1/(g/m3)) RfC Reference concentration (g/m3)
Figure 80: Formulas for Calculating Risk and Hazard Quotient
Figure 80 shows the formulas used to calculate cancer risk and non-cancer hazard for chemicals that were carried beyond the screening process into the quantitative assessment.
On the following page, Table 33 shows the theoretical cancer risk and non-cancer hazard that would result from an individual breathing air containing the detected chemicals at the estimated concentrations daily for seventy years, or a full lifetime. These cancer risk and hazard quotient estimates are likely conservative because they were calculated assuming continuous exposure to outdoor air at breathing rates typical of moderate exertion. Real risk cannot be calculated, but may be substantially lower. Lifetime cancer risks for the limited number of chemicals exceeding screening values (and excluding that from carbonyls) exceeded 1 x 10-6 or one in one million, a value generally deemed as insignificant. However, lifetime cancer risks for these chemicals did not exceed 1 x 10-4 or one in ten thousand. This value is generally taken as a crude upper limit for "allowable" risk in many regulatory contexts.
Individual hazard quotients (HQs) are ratios that relate daily exposure concentrations, or dose, to a concentration or an amount thought to be without appreciable risks of causing deleterious non-cancer effects in sensitive individuals as well as the general population. HQ values less than 1.0 indicate the air "dose" is less than the amount required to cause toxic effects other than cancer.
In July of 2007, Georgia EPD changed the analysis method for acrolein. The sampling method changed from a dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) cartridge with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to the VOCs canister collection with gas chromatograph with mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) analysis. This change occurred due to EPAs findings during the School Air Toxics Monitoring Initiative. For more information on this study, please see EPAs website, http://www.epa.gov/ttnamti1/airtoxschool.html. With this GC/MS analysis method, there were several more detections of acrolein than have been seen in previous years, with the HPLC cartridge method. These results are shown along with the other hazard quotients for the ATN sites. The HQ numbers for acrolein are significantly higher than for the other air toxic compounds. This may be due to methodological changes. Potential reasons for differences are still being investigated.
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Location Dawsonville Douglas Macon
Savannah South DeKalb Yorkville
Chemical Arsenic Chromium Benzene Acrolein Arsenic Chromium Manganese Nickel Benzene Acrolein Arsenic Chromium Manganese Nickel Naphthalene Tetrachloroethylene Benzene Acrolein Arsenic Chromium Manganese Nickel Benzene Acrolein Arsenic Chromium Naphthalene Tetrachloroethylene Benzene Acrolein Arsenic Chromium Manganese Nickel Benzene Acrolein
Cancer Risk 3 x 10-6 2 x 10-5 4 x 10-5
5 x 10-6 5 x 10-5
4 x 10-6
3 x 10-6 3 x 10-5
1 x 10-6 8 x 10-6 3 x 10-5
4 x 10-6 3 x 10-5
6 x 10-6
2 x 10-6 3 x 10-5 4 x 10-6 5 x 10-6 5 x 10-6
4 x 10-6 3 x 10-5
3 x 10-6
Hazard Quotient 0.04 0.02 0.2 123 0.08 0.03 0.1 0.07 0.01 75 0.05 0.02 0.1 0.03 0.01 0.004 0.1 44 0.05 0.02 0.1 0.04 0.02 213 0.03 0.02 0.04 0.003 0.02 76 0.05 0.02 0.1 0.03 0.01 41
Table 33: Cancer Risk and Hazard Quotient by Location and Chemical, 2010
Table 34, on the next page, shows total or aggregate theoretical cancer risk and hazard indices
(added hazard quotients) for the chemicals (VOCs, semi-VOCS, and metals) carried through the
quantitative assessment. For screening purposes such as this, it is generally considered appropriate
to treat the potential for effects in an additive manner and to sum cancer risk and hazard quotients, respectively. For example, if cancer risk for two separate chemicals were 1 x 10-4 and 2 x 10-4, then the sum or aggregate cancer risk would equal 3 x 10-4. Likewise, if cancer risk for two separate chemicals were 1 x 10-4 and 1 x 10-5, then total cancer risk for the two would equal 1.1 x 10-4, or rounded to 1 x 10-4. Similarly, if hazard quotients were 0.6 and 0.5 for two different chemicals, it would
indicate that each chemical alone is not likely to result in detrimental effects. However, summing the
two would yield a hazard index (HI) of 1.1 or rounded to 1. Comparing this value to the threshold
value of 1.0, this HI suggests at least the potential for detrimental effects from the combination of the
two chemicals.
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In 2010, the aggregate theoretical cancer risk (excluding carbonyls) for all ATN sites exceeded 1 x 10-6, with risks ranging from 4 x 10-5 to 7 x 10-5. Both the hazard indices (HIs) calculated without the
acrolein data and calculated with the acrolein data are shown. The HIs ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 without
the acrolein data, and the HIs ranged from 41 to 213 with the acrolein data.
Location Dawsonville Douglas Macon Savannah South DeKalb Yorkville
Cancer Risk 6 x 10-5 6 x 10-5 7 x 10-5 4 x 10-5 5 x 10-5 4 x 10-5
Hazard Index without Acrolein 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2
Hazard Index with Acrolein 123 75 44 213 76 41
Table 34: Aggregate Cancer Risk and Hazard Indices for Each Site, Excluding Carbonyls, 2010
The information from Table 34 is summarized in Figure 82, on the next page. Figure 81, below, is shown as a comparison, with the different methods of collection and analysis for acrolein. It shows the combined or aggregate hazard index and theoretical cancer risk for each site from 2005 to 2006, and Figure 82 shows the data from 2007 to 2010. Note the hazard index in Figure 81 shows values up to 0.5 and in Figure 82, the values are up to 213. With the GC/MS analysis used for the acrolein compound, the hazard indices significantly increased starting with the 2007 data. The lowest hazard index was 20, at the Savannah site, and the highest was 52, at the Brunswick site in 2007. In 2008, the lowest hazard index was 13 at the Macon site, and the highest was at the Milledgeville site with 74. In 2009, the lowest hazard index was again at the Savannah site, with a HI of 17. The highest hazard index was at the South DeKalb site, with a HI of 34 in 2009. Then in 2010, the lowest hazard index was at the Yorkville site, with a HI of 41. The highest hazard index was at the Savannah site, with a HI of 213. These numbers increased from a range of 0.1 to 0.3 before the acrolein data was added to the hazard index.
0.6
9.00E-05
8.00E-05 0.5
7.00E-05
0.4
6.00E-05
Hazard Index Cancer Risk
5.00E-05 0.3
4.00E-05
0.2
3.00E-05
2.00E-05 0.1
1.00E-05
0
0.00E+00
Site Hazard Index Cancer Risk
2005 2006 2005 2006
Figure 81: Aggregate Cancer Risk and Hazard Index by Site for 2005-2006
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250 200 150 100
50 0
Section: Outreach and Education
8.00E-05 7.00E-05 6.00E-05 5.00E-05 4.00E-05 3.00E-05 2.00E-05 1.00E-05 0.00E+00
2007
Hazard Index
2008
2009
Site
2010
2007
Cancer Risk
2008
2009
2010
Figure 82: Aggregate Cancer Risk and Hazard Index by Site for 2007-2010
A few of the compounds collected from the PAMS network were evaluated in conjunction with the ATN data. The PAMS network is a federally mandated network required to monitor for ozone precursors in those areas classified as serious, severe, or extreme for ozone non-attainment. Fifty-six (56) chemicals are monitored on six-day intervals at these sites. In Georgia, as of 2007, the PAMS sites are located in Conyers, South DeKalb, and Yorkville. Of the 56 chemicals monitored at these sites, many are ozone precursors, and have not had a screening value developed for determining the toxicity of those compounds. Therefore, for this study, only twelve chemicals were assessed for their potential to have detrimental effects on human health if present in ambient air. Those twelve chemicals were benzene, cyclohexane, ethyl benzene, p-ethyltoluene, n-hexane, 1,2,3trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, styrene, toluene, m/p-xylenes, and o-xylene.
Of those twelve chemicals evaluated from the PAMS network, only benzene, m/p-xylenes, and 1,2,4trimethylbenzene were found in concentrations above the screening values in 2010. Table 35, on the next page, shows the number of samples collected, first and second highest sample concentrations (1st and 2nd Max), averages (means) in micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3), hazard quotients (HQ) and cancer risk (CR) for chemicals evaluated in the quantitative assessment at each of the three PAMS sites for 2010. Benzene was detected consistently and when evaluated as a potential carcinogen, produced theoretical cancer risks as great as 4 x 10-5 and hazard quotient of 0.2 at the South DeKalb site. The lowest theoretical cancer risk was at the Yorkville site with 1 x 10-5 and hazard quotient of 0.06. 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene was detected above the screening value at the South DeKalb and Yorkville sites, and produced a HQ of 1 at the South DeKalb and Yorkville sites. M/p-xylenes was detected above the screening value at the South DeKalb site, and produced a HQ of 0.1. 1,2,4trimethylbenzene and m/p-xylenes were evaluated as a non-cancer risk.
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Location
Chemical
Conyers
Benzene
South DeKalb 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
Benzene
m/p-Xylenes
Yorkville
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
Benzene
Detection Frequency
53/55 46/52 51/52 48/52 14/51 55/58
1st Max (g/m3)
5.75 78.66 13.10 30.43 117.99 4.15
2nd Max (g/m3)
5.43 33.92 12.46 28.26 83.57 3.51
Mean (g/m3)
2.45 7.42 4.72 10.25 7.96 1.79
HQ
0.08 1 0.2 0.1 1
0.06
CR 2 x 10-5 4 x 10-5
1 x 10-5
Table 35: Summary Data for Select VOCs at PAMS Sites, 2010
With the exclusion of acrolein, the carbonyls (acetaldehyde, acetone, benzaldehyde, butyraldehyde, formaldehyde, and propionaldehyde) were measured at only two of the ATN sites (Savannah and Dawsonville) and one PAMS/NATTS site (South DeKalb) in 2010. For that reason, their results are displayed separately from the rest of the data. Detection frequency, average (mean) concentration in micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3), cancer risk, and non-cancer HQs for the carbonyls are shown in Table 36. This table also shows the sum of the cancer risk and hazard quotients, which are the aggregate cancer risk and hazard index (HI), per site. Of the six carbonyls sampled, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde and formaldehyde were detected above the screening value for 2010. All the sites monitoring for acetaldehyde and formaldehyde detected these compounds with a relatively high detection frequency. Formaldehyde was detected 75% to 100% of the time, with Dawsonville having the lowest detection frequency, and both the Savannah and South DeKalb sites having the highest detection frequency. Acetaldehyde was detected 50% to 84% of the time, with the Dawsonville site having the lowest detection rate and the South DeKalb site having the highest. Propionaldehyde was detected 32% of the time at the Savannah site. Acetaldehyde had relatively low theoretical cancer risks, ranging from 3 x 10-6 to 2 x 10-5, and relatively low hazard quotients, ranging from 0.1 to 0.8. Formaldehyde had theoretical cancer risks, ranging from 6 x 10-5 to 1 x 10-4, and hazard quotients, ranging from 0.6 to 0.9. Propionaldehyde had a relatively low hazard quotient of 0.1
Location Dawsonville Savannah
South DeKalb
Chemical
Acetaldehyde Formaldehyde SUM Acetaldehyde Formaldehyde Propionaldehyde SUM Acetaldehyde Formaldehyde SUM
Detection Frequency
14/28 21/28
23/28 28/28 9/28
48/57 57/57
Mean (g/m3)
1.28 5.79
6.86 9.26 1.10
1.91 4.65
Cancer Risk
3 x 10-6 8 x 10-5 8 x 10-5 2 x 10-5 1 x 10-4
1 x 10-4 4 x 10-6 6 x 10-5 1 x 10-4
Hazard Quotient
0.1 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.1 2 0.2 0.5 0.7
Table 36: Summary Observations, Cancer Risk, and Hazard Quotient for Carbonyls, 2010
SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION
In 2010, there were 71 air toxics compounds monitored at the 6 sites across the state, with the exception of the South DeKalb site that monitored 76 air toxic compounds. Of these compounds monitored, 31 were not detected and 14 compounds were detected at two sites or less. 55.6% of the compounds detected above the screening value were in the metals category, 38.9% were in the volatile organic compounds category, and 5.5% were in the semi-volatile organic compounds
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category. For the 2010 data, there was an average of 6 compounds per site that were above the screening value.
In 2010, three volatile organic compounds, tetrachloroethylene, benzene, and acrolein, were
evaluated in the quantitative assessment. (Acrolein is discussed along with the carbonyls, as it was
previously detected with the carbonyls). Benzene was found above the screening value at all six ATN sites. Average benzene concentrations at the ATN sites ranged from 0.4 to 4.59 g/m3. These concentrations correspond to the predicted theoretical lifetime cancer risk in the range of 3 x 10-6 to 4 x 10-5. All three PAMS sites detected benzene above the screening value. Average concentrations of benzene measured in the PAMS network ranged from 1.79 to 4.72 g/m3. These concentrations correspond to predicted theoretical lifetime cancer risks in the range of 1 x 10-5 to 4 x 10-5 for the
PAMS sites. Major sources of benzene to the environment include automobile service stations,
exhaust from motor vehicles, and industrial emissions (ATSDR, 1997a). Most data relating effects of
long-term exposure to benzene are from studies of workers employed in industries that make or use
benzene, where people were exposed to amounts hundreds or thousands of times greater than those
reported herein. Under these circumstances of high exposure, benzene can cause problems in the
blood, including anemia, excessive bleeding, and harm to the immune system. Exposure to large
amounts of benzene for long periods of time may also cause cancer of the blood-forming organs, or
leukemia (ATSDR, 1997a). The potential for these types of health effects from exposure to low levels
of benzene, as reported in this study, are not well understood. Benzene has been determined to be a
known carcinogen (U.S. EPA, 2000) and was evaluated as such in this study.
Another volatile organic compound found above the screening value was tetrachloroethylene. It was detected above the screening value at only two sites (Macon and South DeKalb) and with a low detection frequency, approximately up to 7%. Lifetime theoretical cancer risk calculated from the mean concentration of tetrachloroethylene was in the range of 5 x 10-6 to 8 x 10-6 with a non-cancer hazard quotient ranging from 0.003 to 0.004. Tetrachloroethylene, also called perchloroethylene (PERC) is used in dry cleaning and for metal degreasing. High levels of exposure to tetrachloroethylene can cause headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, difficulty in speaking and walking, unconsciousness, and death (ATSDR, 1997b).
In 2010, one compound in the semi-volatile organic compound group was found above the screening
value. Naphthalene was the only semi-volatile organic compound found above the screening value. It
was detected at the Macon and South DeKalb sites with every sample taken, or 100% detection frequency. The theoretical lifetime cancer risk for the Macon site is 1 x 10-6, with a non-cancer hazard quotient of 0.01. The South DeKalb sites theoretical lifetime cancer risk is 4 x 10-6, with a non-cancer
hazard quotient of 0.04, which includes adding the half detection limit for the non-detected samples.
Naphthalene is found in moth repellents, petroleum, coal, and is used in making polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) plastics. Exposure to large amounts can cause hemolytic anemia (ATSDR, 2005e).
Four metals, manganese, arsenic, chromium, and nickel, were evaluated in the quantitative assessment. Manganese was detected above the screening value for four of the six ATN sites. Manganese is a trace element, and small amounts are needed to support good health. However, exposure to very large amounts through inhalation can result in neurological effects (ATSDR, 2000a). Manganese was evaluated as a neurotoxin, but did not contribute significantly in the quantitative assessment with a HQ of 0.1. These HQs suggest that there is little potential for neurological effects from ambient air concentrations of manganese.
Arsenic was found at all six ATN sites. Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and rocks, and was used extensively in the past as a pesticide on cotton fields and in orchards (ATSDR, 2005b). However, the majority of arsenic found in the atmosphere comes from the burning of coal and oil, incineration, and smelting operations. Arsenic has been recognized as a human poison since ancient times. Inhalation of large quantities of some forms of arsenic may cause irritation of the throat and upper respiratory tract. Long-term exposure either by inhalation or ingestion may result in a unique pattern of skin
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changes, and circulatory and peripheral nervous disorders (ATSDR, 2005b). Inhalation of some forms
of arsenic may also cause cancer, so arsenic was evaluated as a carcinogen in this assessment. The
detection frequency was high, with the lowest (89%) at the Yorkville and South DeKalb sites, up to
100% at the Douglas site. Theoretical lifetime cancer risks estimated from the data collected in 2010 ranged from 2 x 10-6 to 5 x 10-6, and the HQs ranged from 0.03 to 0.08.
In 2010, total chromium was detected at all six ATN sites. Total chromium also had a high detection frequency, with 93% to 100% detections. The theoretical cancer risk ranged from 2 x 10-5 to 5 x 10-5. The site with the highest theoretical cancer risk was the Douglas site, with 5 x 10-5. Chromium is a
naturally occurring element and is common in low amounts in foodstuffs (ATSDR, 2000b). Natural
processes such as wind generating dust and even volcanoes may release chromium into the
atmosphere. However, many human activities such as coal and oil combustion, electroplating,
smelting, and iron and steel production also release it into the atmosphere.
The chemistry of chromium is complex. It may occur in different forms or oxidation states in the environment, having very different degrees of toxicity. Chromium+3 is the form that often predominates in the natural environment, and is also an essential element required for good nutrition. Hexavalent chromium (chromium+6) is the most toxic form of chromium and is often related to releases from industrial activities (ATSDR, 2000b). Inhaling large amounts of chromium+6 may cause upper respiratory track irritation, and chromium+6 has also been shown to be a carcinogen, causing increases in the risk of lung cancer (ATSDR, 2000b).
Studies have shown that in ambient air, even near industrial sites, chromium+6 is usually only a small portion of total chromium, with measured concentrations for chromium+6 accounting for a range of values from 1 to 25% of total chromium (ATSDR, 2000b). As part of the NATTS network, sampling for chromium+6 takes place at the South DeKalb site. When the 2010 concentration of chromium+6 is compared to the total chromium concentration, it shows that the chromium+6 is 9.5% of the total chromium accounted for at the South DeKalb site. However the concentrations of chromium+6 detected were below the screening value and were not evaluated further as a potential cancer risk. The South DeKalb site is located within and representative of an urban area. Since the chromium+6 concentrations were below the screening value for the South DeKalb site, this could indicate that chromium+6 levels are low throughout the network. The other sites that measure for chromium, measure for the total form. Therefore, the measurements used in this study were for the total form, and distinctions cannot be made as to how much of the different states of chromium are present at the other ATN sites. In the interest of conservativeness, chromium was evaluated with the most stringent toxicity index as chromium+6, even though the chromium metal measured was not in this most toxic form. Data collected on the ratio of chromium+6 to total chromium (ATSDR, 2000b) indicates that this process may appreciably overestimate risk. Further work is needed to better understand chemical forms of chromium in Georgias air, and determine if chromium is an important contributor to risk.
In 2010, nickel was detected above the screening value at four of the six ATN sites, with hazard quotients ranging from 0.03 to 0.07. When detected, nickel had a high detection frequency, occurring 96% to 100% of the collected samples. Nickel is a naturally occurring element used in many consumer and industrial products such as stainless steel, alloys, and coins, and is also released in the burning of oil and coal. If large amounts are breathed, nickel can cause damage to the lungs and nasal cavities, and can be carcinogenic (ATSDR, 2005d).
Carbonyls were monitored at three sites in Georgia in 2010. Two sites, Dawsonville and Savannah are ATN sites, while the other site, South DeKalb, is in the PAMS/NATTS network. Four carbonylsformaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde and acrolein- were detected with sufficient frequency, and have sufficient potential for toxicity to be included in the quantitative assessment.
Formaldehyde, the simplest of the aldehydes, is produced by natural processes, and from the fertilizer, paper, and manufactured wood products industries (ATSDR, 1999). It is also found in vehicle
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emissions. Formaldehyde is a health concern because of its respiratory irritancy and as a possible carcinogen. It may cause irritation of the eye, nose, throat, and skin, and has the potential under certain exposure scenarios to cause cancers of the nose and throat (ATSDR, 1999). Acetaldehyde, like formaldehyde, is also a concern as an upper respiratory irritant, and because of its potential to cause nasal tumors in animal studies. However, research has shown it to be significantly less potent than formaldehyde. Acetaldehyde, as an intermediate product of plant respiration and a product of incomplete combustion, is ubiquitous in the environment. (U.S. EPA, 1987; U.S. EPA 1991b). Recent studies of acetaldehyde background levels have found average background concentrations at 0.16 g/m3 in remote areas of North America (McCarthy, Hafner, & Montzka, 2006). Propionaldehyde is released into the air through wood and gasoline combustion and from municipal waste incinerators. It is also used to manufacture polyvinyl, other plastics, and propionic acid, and is found in cigarette smoke (U.S. EPA, 2008b). To date, there is no data on health effects of propionaldehyde on humans. However, based on health effects to animals, propionaldehyde could primarily cause respiratory tract irritation and secondary cardiovascular problems (U.S. EPA, 2008b).
In 2010, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were detected at all three locations where carbonyls were
assessed. Propionaldehyde was detected above the screening value at the Savannah site. The
highest average concentrations of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde for 2010 were found at the Savannah site. The average concentration of formaldehyde was 9.26 g/m3, acetaldehyde was 6.86 g/m3, and propionaldehyde was 1.10 g/m3. As shown above, 0.16 g/m3 of the acetaldehyde
average concentration could be attributed to the background concentration. When the theoretical cancer risk for formaldehyde was evaluated, the risk ranged from 6 x 10-5 to 1 x 10-4 for 2010. When acetaldehyde was evaluated for theoretical cancer risk, the risk ranged from 3 x 10-6 to 2 x 10-5.
Propionaldehyde was evaluated as a potential non-carcinogen, and produced a hazard quotient of 0.1
at the Savannah site.
In 2007, GA EPD began collecting acrolein with the other VOCs in a canister and analyzed it using a GC/MS method. This method was started in July of 2007, drastically changing the number of detections that were found across the state. In previous years, acrolein was analyzed along with the carbonyls, at select sites. With the GC/MS and canister method, this allowed acrolein to be sampled at all of the air toxics sites. In 2010, it was detected at all the sites, with the detection frequency ranging from 772% to 96% of samples. Acrolein was evaluated as a potential non-carcinogen, and the hazard quotients ranged from 41 to 213, accounting for the change in the data from Figure 81 to Figure 82, above. The average concentrations ranged from 0.82 g/m3 to 4.25 g/m3 (using half the detection limit for non-detected samples). The highest acrolein average was found at the Savannah site, which could be attributed to local industries, airports, and hospitals. Acrolein may enter the environment as a result of combustion of trees and other plants, tobacco, gasoline, and oil. Additionally, it can be used as a pesticide for algae, weeds, bacteria, and mollusks (ATSDR, 2007c). The potential for acrolein to cause health effects is not well understood. At very low concentrations, it is an upper respiratory irritant. At very high concentrations it may produce more serious damage to the lining of the upper respiratory tract and lungs (ATSDR, 2007c; U.S. EPA, 2003).
At the PAMS sites, benzene was detected above the screening value at all three sites, 1,2,4trimethylbenzene was detected above the screening value at the South DeKalb and Yorkville sites, and m/p-xylenes was detected above the screening value at the South DeKalb site. When evaluated as a theoretical cancer risk, benzenes levels ranged from 1 x 10-5 at Yorkville to 4 x 10-5 at South DeKalb. As stated earlier, major sources of benzene to the environment include automobile service stations, exhaust from motor vehicles, and industrial emissions (ATSDR, 1997a). 1,2,4Trimethylbenzene occurs naturally in coal tar and petroleum crude oil. It is a component of gasoline, and has other uses in industry as an intermediate in the production of dyes, drugs, and coatings. Exposure to very large amounts of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene may cause skin and respiratory irritancy and nervous system depression, fatigue, headache, and drowsiness. However, risks resulting from exposure to low ambient concentrations of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene have not been studied extensively (U.S. EPA, 1994a). For this study, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene was evaluated as a non-carcinogen with
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potential to cause central nervous system and irritant effects (U.S. EPA, 2004b). The 1,2,4trimethylbenzene HQ was approximately 1 at both the South DeKalb and Yorkville sites. Xylene is found in petroleum and coal tar, and used as a solvent and a cleaning agent. It can be found in paint, paint thinners, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. High levels of exposure to xylene can cause dizziness, confusion, headaches, difficulty breathing, and lung irritation (ATSDR, 2007b). When evaluated as a potential non-carcinogen, the m/p-xylenes HQ was 0.1 at the South DeKalb site.
In Figure 83 and Figure 84, below, maps are shown of the most recent official National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) that was based on 2005 air toxics emissions inventory. The estimated total cancer risk levels and estimated total respiratory hazard index are given per tract across the United States. The maps indicate that the estimated tract level total cancer risk and estimated tract level total respiratory hazard index, respectively, are higher in more populated areas and along transportation corridors.
(http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/nata2005/05pdf/sum_results.pdf)
Figure 83: Estimated Tract-Level Cancer Risk from the 2005 National Air Toxics Assessment
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(http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/nata2005/05pdf/sum_results.pdf)
Figure 84: Estimated Tract-Level Total Respiratory Hazard Index from the 2005 National Air Toxics Assessment As stated previously, the estimates of risk presented herein are likely overestimates due to conservative assumptions used in this exercise. Conservative assumptions were used to estimate the potential for possible exposures (high inhalation rates and long term exposure) and toxicity values. In the absence of good exposure information, this practice is warranted to decrease the potential for underestimating risk. The results presented herein suggest that the majority of calculated risk is due to a small number of chemicals. The risk values presented in this report should not be interpreted as indicators of true or "real" risk, but for relative comparisons of a chemicals contribution to aggregate risk, or for comparisons of risk between locations within the monitoring network or in other areas of the country.
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OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
One of the most important tasks of the Ambient Monitoring Program is maintaining effective public outreach and education. The program seeks to address the air quality issues that are most vital to the citizens of Georgia by identifying the pollutants that represent the greatest risks, continually monitoring them, and communicating the monitoring results directly with the public. The goal is to provide an understanding of the presence of air pollution throughout the state and to educate the public on the steps they can take to improve air quality. This is done by issuing smog alerts and information provided in the Air Quality Index (AQI), maintaining a partnership with the Clean Air Campaign in the metro Atlanta nonattainment area, and other outreach strategies aimed at keeping the public up to date on air quality issues.
What is the Clean Air Campaign ?
The Clean Air Campaign (CAC) is a not-for-profit organization that works to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the metro Atlanta nonattainment area through a variety of voluntary programs and services, including free employer assistance, incentive programs, public information and childrens education. EPD is a proud funding sponsor of the CAC.
The CAC works with more than 300 public and private sector employers, representing several hundred thousand employees, to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicle commuters in metro Atlanta year-round. The program has helped reduce emissions and vehicle miles traveled by encouraging people to alter their commuting habits and to reconsider behaviors-driving in particular.
In addition to addressing commuters driving habits, CAC utilizes the Air Quality Index (AQI) to relay air quality information to metro Atlanta residents.
The Air Quality Index The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a national air standard rating system developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The AQI is used state wide to provide the public, on a daily basis, with an analysis of air pollution levels and possible related health risks. Generally, an index scale of 0 to 500 is used to assess the quality of air, and these numbers are synchronized with a corresponding descriptor word such as: Good, Moderate, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, Unhealthy and
Very Unhealthy. To protect public health the EPA has set an AQI value of 100 to correspond to the NAAQS for the following pollutants: Ozone (O3), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Particulate Matter 10 (PM10), and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). For Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), the AQI is set up for the range of 15.5 to 40.4 g/m3 to be equivalent to the 51 to 100 AQI value. The AQI for a reporting region equates to the highest rating recoded for any pollutant within that region. Therefore, the larger the AQI value, the greater level of air pollution present, and the greater expectation of potential health concerns. However, this system only addresses air pollution in terms of acute health effects over time periods of 24 hours or less and does not provide an indication of chronic pollution exposure over months or years. Figure 85 shows how the recorded concentrations correspond to the AQI index values, descriptors and health advisories.
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Maximum Pollutant Concentration
PM2.5 PM10 SO2
(24hr) (24hr) (24hr) g/m3 g/m3 ppm
O3
(8hr) ppm
O3
(1hr) ppm
CO
(8hr) ppm
NO2
(1hr)
ppm
AQI Value
Descriptor EPA Health Advisory
0 15.4 0 54
0 0.034
0 0.059
None
0 4.4
None 0 to 50
Good
(green)
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
15.5 40.4
55 154
0.035 0.060 0.144 0.075
None
4.5 9.4
None
51 to 100
Moderate (yellow)
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to the condition of the air may experience respiratory symptoms.
40.5 65.4
155 0.145 0.076 0.125 9.5 254 0.224 0.095 0.164 12.4
Unhealthy Members of sensitive groups
for Sensitive (people with lung or heart
Groups disease) are at greater risk from
None
101 to 150
exposure to particle pollution. Those with lung disease are at
(orange) risk from exposure to ozone. The general public is not likely
to be affected in this range.
65.5 150.4
255 354
0.225 0.096 0.165 12.5 0.304 0.115 0.204 15.4
None
151 to 200
Unhealthy (red)
Everyone may begin to experience health effects in this range. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
150.5 355 0.305 0.116 0.205 15.5 0.65 201 to 250.4 424 0.604 0.374 0.404 30.4 1.24 300
Very Unhealthy
(purple)
AQI values in this range trigger a health alert. Everyone may experience more serious health effects. When the AQI is in this range because of ozone, most people should restrict their outdoor exertion to morning or late evening hours to avoid high ozone exposures.
250.5 500.4
425 604
0.605 1.004
None
0.405 30.5 1.25 0.604 50.4 2.04
301 to 500
AQI values over 300 trigger Hazardous health warnings of emergency
conditions. The entire (maroon) population is more likely to be
affected.
Figure 85: The AQI
Each day the AQI values for Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, North Georgia Mountains, and Savannah are available to the public through the Environmental Protection Divisions website http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp/. The following table shows a summary of the 2010 AQI values for these sites, as well as all sites that collect criteria data in Georgia. The majority of days had an AQI value in the ,,Good (0-50) category for all the sites.
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Air Quality Index Summary by MSA
AQI Category
Number of Days
Unhealthy
for
Sensitive
Very
Good Moderate Groups Unhealthy Unhealthy Hazardous
(0-50) (51-100) (101-150)** (151-200)** (201-300)** (>300)**
Pollutants Monitored
in 2010
Albany MSA
2010 256
99
2
0
0
0
PM10, PM2.5
Athens-Clark County MSA
2010 274
89
2
0
0
0
O3, PM2.5
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta MSA
O3, SO2, CO,
2010
175
165
23
2
0
0
NO2, PM10, PM2.5
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC MSA
2010 264
99
2
0
0
0
O3, PM10, PM2.5
Brunswick MSA
O3, SO2, PM10,
2010 339
22
0
0
0
0
PM2.5
Chattanooga, TN-GA MSA
2010
213
139
8
1
0
0
O3, PM2.5
Columbus GA-AL MSA
O3, SO2, PM10,
2010
257
105
2
0
1
0
PM2.5
Dalton MSA
2010 211
50
2
0
0
0
O3
Gainesville MSA
2010
206
148
0
0
0
0
PM2.5
Macon MSA
O3, SO2, PM10,
2010
214
149
2
0
0
0
PM2.5
Rome MSA
2010
209
153
3
0
0
0
SO2, PM10, PM2.5
Savannah MSA
O3, SO2, PM10,
2010
238
120
7
0
0
0
PM2.5
Valdosta MSA
2010
223
105
2
2
0
0
Warner Robins MSA
PM2.5
2010
229
102
0
0
0
0
**AQI numbers above 100 may not be equivalent to a violation of the standard.
PM2.5
Table 37: AQI Summary Data, 2010
In the following graph on the next page, the number of days that the AQI value was above 100 is plotted for each metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in Georgia where an AQI value is produced. The data was produced starting in 1972 and is shown through 2010. To be consistent, the most current standards were applied throughout the historical dataset. As one would expect, the Atlanta-Sandy-
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Springs-Marietta MSA (shown in orange) has historically had the highest number of days above 100. The pattern across the timeframe seems to be cyclic over the past thirty-nine years. However, the number of days above 100 for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta MSA decreased dramatically from 2006 to 2009. The number dropped from 63 days in 2006 to 15 days in 2009. There was a slight increase in the number of days above 100 with the 2010 data. The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta MSA had 25 days with the AQI above 100 in 2010. The remaining sites had nine or fewer days above 100 in 2010. The Albany, Athens-Clarke County, Augusta-Richmond County GA-SC, Dalton, and Macon MSAs each had two days with the AQI above 100 in 2010. The Columbus GA-AL and Rome MSAs each had three days above 100. The Valdosta MSA had four days with the AQI above 100. The Savannah MSA had seven days above 100, and the Chattanooga TN-GA MSA had nine days above 100 in 2010. The Brunswick, Gainesville, and Warner Robins MSAs did not have any days with the AQI above 100 in 2010.
Days Above an AQI Value of 100
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
Ye ar
Albany Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta
Brunswick Columbus GA-AL Gainesville
Rome Valdosta
Athens-Clarke County Augusta-Richmond County GA-SC
Chattanooga TN-GA Dalton Macon
Savannah Warner Robins
Figure 86: Number of Days with an AQI Value Above 100
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How does Georgia's Ambient Monitoring Program (AMP) Cooperate with The Clean Air
Campaign (CAC)? The Ambient Monitoring Program is responsible for measuring air pollutant levels in metro Atlanta and throughout the state. Equipment at fourteen continuous monitoring stations across metro Atlanta is used for these measurements of particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3). This data is reported hourly on a website which is maintained and updated by the Ambient Monitoring Program. Based on these levels, AMP calculates the Air Quality Index (AQI), which represents overall air quality in a way that is quick and easy for the general public to understand. The Ambient Monitoring Programs website is linked to a website
maintained by CAC. The AQI is then displayed on The Clean Air Campaigns website. The CAC also distributes AQI information to people who have signed up to receive daily air quality forecasts via e-mail. When a smog alert is forecasted, an automated fax blast informs all local media as well. Through these connections, thousands of metro Atlanta citizens and businesses keep abreast of current air quality conditions. The Ambient Monitoring Program also encourages the public to access the CACs website and become aware of what voluntary measures they can take to improve local air quality.
MEDIA OUTREACH
The Ambient Monitoring Program is in constant touch with citizens as well as the news media through phone calls, the AMP web site and media interviews. At many times throughout the year, the demand for a story puts AMP in the limelight. The program manager and staff of the Ambient Monitoring Program make themselves available to television and newspaper reporters, thus educating the public about the AQI, the statewide air monitors, and the Clean Air Campaign.
OTHER OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
Meteorologists
Forecasters from the Ambient Monitoring Program issue air quality forecasts on a daily basis. In addition, forecasters answer questions for the news media and calls from the public. For more information regarding the work done by the Ambient Monitoring Programs meteorologists, refer to the Meteorological Section of this report.
Elementary and Middle Schools Educating school children and incorporating air quality information into the classroom-learning environment is also an outreach strategy for the Ambient Monitoring Program. AMP staff visits Georgia classrooms to discuss air quality, forecasting, and monitoring. Each program presented by the AMP is designed to supplement grade-specific curricula. Learning opportunities include meteorological lessons, such as weather patterns and conditions, as well as forecasting techniques.
In many situations, these lessons involve hands-on activities and mini-field trips to the monitoring sites. High School students simulate forecasting conditions and use scientific methods to create their own forecasts. AMP Staff also participate in Career Days at both elementary and high schools to draw excitement into environmental and meteorological careers.
Colleges and Universities The Ambient Monitoring Program works with colleges and universities in several capacities. Utilizing a more technical, advanced approach, AMP has participated in several college-level seminars,
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providing scientific expertise on the subject of meteorology and forecasting. Through this close contact with university staff, AMP staff have co-authored scientific papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals. AMP Staff provide technical data to professors as well as students, thus incorporating realtime data into college courses and projects. Additionally, AMP contracts with Georgia Institute of Technology in a joint forecasting effort.
Monitoring Data Requests AMP also regularly receives requests for specific, detailed monitoring data from members of the research community and the broader public. Completely fulfilling the needs of these data users often also requires not just providing such data, but also providing guidance on how the data can be interpreted and what the limitations of the data set may be. We welcome these opportunities to serve the public and the research community and to ensure that the data we collect is put to its fullest and most advantageous use is protecting the health and welfare of Georgias citizens and the states natural environment.
EPA AIRNOW Website Georgia supplies ozone and particulate matter data to the US EPA every hour for pollution mapping activities. AIRNOW is a cooperative effort between EPA, states, and local air pollution control agencies to provide near real-time information on ground level ozone and PM2.5 concentrations. EPA uses the data to produce maps that display ozone and PM2.5 contours covering the Midwest, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern, South central and Pacific coastal regions of the country. Colorcoded, animated concentration gradient ozone maps are created that show daily ozone formation and transport at various spatial scales. The information is available on the EPAs AIRNOW website at: http://www.airnow.gov/. See Figure 87 for a sample map.
Figure 87: Sample AIRNOW Ozone Concentration Map
The AIRNOW Data Management Center (DMC) regularly evaluates the performance of monitoring agencies that participate in the AIRNOW project based on three criteria:
1. Percent of hourly data files received
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2. Average arrival time (earlier in the hour is better) 3. Percent completeness of the data within the submission files There is a three-tier system set up to evaluate each agency based on these performance criteria. An agency is placed in a tier based on how it performs these three criteria, with respect to all participating agencies. The three tiers are top, middle, and lower. Georgias evaluation results are shown in Table 38.
Evaluation Criteria
Percent of Data Files Received Average Data Arrival Time (minutes)
Percent Completeness of Files
Ozone Season (May 1-Septemeber 30, 2010)
Top Tier (98%) Top Tier (11 minutes)
Lower Tier (93%)
PM2.5 Season (whole year)
Middle Tier (96%) Top Tier (12 minutes)
Lower Tier (93%)
Table 38: AIRNOW Participation Evaluation Results
GA EPD Website and Call-In System The Ambient Monitoring Program also provides a public-access website with Georgia-specific current and historical air quality data more promptly and with more detail than what is available at the AIRNOW website. AMPs website provides hourly information about current pollutant concentrations from Georgias continuous and semi-continuous monitoring equipment, and is updated with each hours data only 15 minutes after the hour ends. The site also offers downloads of bulk data, and electronic copies of archived Annual Reports such as this one, on a self-serve basis to facilitate research projects and satisfy public interest on these topics. Finally, the Ambient Monitoring Program also maintains an automated dial-in system that provides current air quality information for those who may not have ready access to the internet. These resources are listed below.
Ambient Monitoring Program Website: http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp
Call-In System: (800) 427-9605 (statewide) (404) 362-4909 (metro Atlanta free calling zone)
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Section: Appendix A
Appendix A: Additional Criteria Pollutant Data
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Units: parts per million
Site ID
City
County
Site Name
Hours Measured
131210099 Atlanta Fulton 132230003 Yorkville Paulding
Roswell Road
Yorkville
8415 8586
Max
1 - Hour
1st
2nd
1.8
1.7
Obs. > 35
0
0.903 0.617 0
Max 8 -
Hour
1st
2nd
1.4 1.3
Obs. > 9
0
0.5 0.5 0
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Units: parts per billion
Site ID
City
County
Site Name
130890002 132230003 132470001
Decatur Yorkville Conyers
DeKalb Paulding Rockdale
South DeKalb Yorkville Monastery
Hours Measured
8514 8430 8467
Max 1-Hour
1st
2nd
77.0
75.0
32.0
28.0
37.0
35.0
Annual Arithmetic
Mean
13.66 2.64
4.00
Nitric Oxide (NO)
Units: parts per billion
Site ID
City
County
Site Name
130890002 132230003 132470001
Decatur Yorkville Conyers
DeKalb Paulding Rockdale
South DeKalb Yorkville Monastery
Hours Measured
8514 8522 8319
Max 1-Hour
1st
2nd
507.0 13.0 89.0
469.0 12.0 77.0
Annual Arithmetic
Mean
22.84 1.08
1.85
158 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
Units: parts per billion
Site ID
City
County
Site Name
130890002 132230003 132470001
Decatur Yorkville Conyers
DeKalb Paulding Rockdale
South DeKalb Yorkville Monastery
Hours Measured
8514 8430 8467
Section: Appendix A
Max 1-Hour
1st
2nd
582.0 51.0 115.0
530.0 39.0 114.0
Annual Arithmetic
Mean
35.99 3.03
5.56
Reactive Oxides of Nitrogen (NOy)
Units: parts per billion
Site ID
City
County
Site Name
Hours Measured
Max 1-Hour
1st
2nd
Annual Arithmetic
Mean
130890002 Decatur DeKalb South DeKalb
6916
203.0 203.0
34.71
** The NOy instrument is specialized for measurement of trace concentrations, so its range is only 0-200 ppb. Actual 1st Max appears to have exceeded the instruments measurement range. Since all ambient concentrations exceeding the instruments range are recorded as 200 instead of the actual (higher) value, the reported annual arithmetic mean may be biased slightly downward from the true concentration.
159 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix A
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
24-Hour, 3-Hour, 1-Hour Maximum Observations and 99th Percentile 1-hour
Units: parts per billion
Site ID
City
130210012 Macon 130510021 Savannah 130511002 Savannah 130890002 Decatur 131150003 Rome 131210055 Atlanta 131270006 Brunswick 132150008 Columbus
*Monitor ran partial year.
County
Bibb Chatham Chatham DeKalb
Floyd Fulton Glynn Muscogee
Site Name
Hours Measur
-ed
Georgia Forestry Comm.
East President St. W. Lathrop
& Augusta Ave.
South DeKalb
Coosa Elem. School
Confederate Ave. Risley Middle
School Columbus
Airport
8115 8312 8553 2168* 8556 8475 8461 8625
Max 24 Hour
1st
2nd
8.3 5.9
43.2 33.2
16.5 14.5
5.8 5.8 26.3 10.5 10.4 10.0
2.5 2.4
3.5 3.4
Obs. > 140
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Max 3 -Hour
1st
2nd
21.0 18.0
57.0 56.0
55.3 47.0
22.1 19.6 106.0 57.3 31.6 28.3
5.6 5.3
10.0 9.6
Obs. >
500 0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0
Max 1-Hour
1st
2nd
29.0 24.0
90.0 90.0
75.0 68.0
24.6 21.6 112.0 58.0 44.0 41.0
10.0 7.0
16.0 15.0
99th Pctl 1- Hr
Annual Arithme
-tic Mean
23.0 1.46
83.0 3.42
59.0 2.46
24.6 1.16* 49.0 1.55 33.0 1.91
7.0 1.10
13.0 1.19
160 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Ozone (O3)
1-Hour Averages
Units: parts per million
Site ID
City
County
Site Name
130210012 130510021 130550001 130590002 130670003 130730001 130770002 130850001 130890002 130970004 131210055 131270006 131350002 131510002 132130003 132150008 132230003 132450091 132470001 132611001
Macon Savannah Summerville
Athens Kennesaw
Evans Newnan Dawsonville Decatur Douglasville Atlanta Brunswick Lawrenceville McDonough Chatsworth Columbus Yorkville Augusta Conyers
Leslie
Bibb Chatham Chattooga
Clarke Cobb Columbia Coweta Dawson DeKalb Douglas Fulton Glynn Gwinnett Henry Murray Muscogee Paulding Richmond Rockdale Sumter
GA Forestry Comm. E. President Street DNR Fish Hatchery College Station Rd. Georgia National Guard
Riverside Park Univ. of West Georgia GA Forestry Comm.
South DeKalb W. Strickland St. Confederate Ave. Risley Middle School Gwinnett Tech. County Extension Office
Fort Mountain Columbus Airport
Yorkville Bungalow Road Elementary School
Conyers Monastery Leslie Community Center
Days Measured
243 245 244 235 245 239 245 244 243 244 241 242 232 244 239 240 245 242 242 231
Section: Appendix A
1st Max
0.104 0.085 0.085 0.092 0.104 0.071 0.082 0.101 0.113 0.091 0.107 0.075 0.095 0.106 0.097 0.090 0.117 0.100 0.104 0.086
2nd Max
0.091 0.080 0.080 0.090 0.104 0.071 0.081 0.099 0.098 0.091 0.106 0.075 0.090 0.095 0.096 0.081 0.099 0.091 0.096 0.084
161 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix A
Ozone (O3)
8-Hour Averages
Units: parts per million
Site ID
City
County
Site Name
Days Measured
130210012
Macon
Bibb
GA Forestry Comm.
242
130510021 Savannah Chatham
E. President Street
245
130550001 Summerville Chattooga
DNR Fish Hatchery
244
130590002
Athens
Clarke
College Station Road
234
130670003 Kennesaw
Cobb
Georgia National Guard
245
130730001
Evans
Columbia
Riverside Park
241
130770002 Newnan
Coweta
Univ. of West Georgia
245
130850001 Dawsonville Dawson
GA Forestry Comm.
244
130890002 Decatur
DeKalb
South DeKalb
241
130970004 Douglasville Douglas
W. Strickland St.
244
131210055
Atlanta
Fulton
Confederate Ave.
242
131270006 Brunswick
Glynn
Risley Middle School
242
131350002 Lawrenceville Gwinnett
Gwinnett Tech.
230
131510002 McDonough Henry
County Extension Office
244
132130003 Chatsworth Murray
Fort Mountain
237
132150008 Columbus Muscogee
Columbus Airport
239
132230003 Yorkville
Paulding
Yorkville
244
132450091 Augusta Richmond Bungalow Road Elementary School
240
132470001 Conyers
Rockdale
Conyers Monastery
241
132611001
Leslie
Sumter
Community Center
230
1st Max
0.080 0.070 0.069 0.084 0.088 0.073 0.070 0.086 0.098 0.080 0.090 0.068 0.076 0.081 0.085 0.079 0.085 0.081 0.085 0.073
2nd Max
3rd Max
0.076 0.066 0.069 0.080 0.085 0.070 0.069 0.083 0.080 0.079 0.086 0.067 0.074 0.077 0.080 0.069 0.076 0.077 0.085 0.073
0.075 0.066 0.068 0.074 0.083 0.069 0.068 0.074 0.076 0.076 0.084 0.066 0.074 0.075 0.074 0.068 0.071 0.072 0.081 0.070
4th Max
0.071 0.065 0.067 0.073 0.079 0.068 0.065 0.073 0.075 0.074 0.080 0.066 0.072 0.074 0.073 0.068 0.071 0.072 0.076 0.069
Number of Days > 0.075 2 0 0 2 11 0
0
2 3 3 9 0 1 2 2 1 2 2 4 0
4th max used in 3-year average, therefore if number above 0.075 is more than 4 per site, it is shown in bold.
162 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix A
Lead (Pb)
3-Month Rolling Averages Using Federal Equivalent Method
Units: micrograms per cubic meter
Site ID
130150003
City
Cartersville
County
Bartow
Site Name
Cartersville
Number of Observations
60
Nov 2009-Jan 2010
N/A
Dec 2009-Feb 2010
0.0111
Jan 2010-Mar 2010
0.0123
Feb 2010-Apr 2010
0.0137
Mar 2010-May 2010
0.0133
Apr 2010-June 2010
0.0131
May 2010-July 2010
0.0089
June 2010-Aug 2010
0.0095
July 2010-Sept 2010
0.0121
Aug 2010-Oct 2010
0.0151
Sept 2010-Nov 2010
0.0162
Oct 2010-Dec 2010
0.0138
Number of Values > 0.15
0
130890003 Atlanta DeKalb DMRC 44 0.0040 0.0036 0.0038 0.0031 0.0029 0.0028 0.0023 0.0021 0.0020 0.0032 0.0030 0.0035 0
132150011 Columbus Muscogee Cusseta School
59 0.0327 0.0262 0.0215 0.0143 0.0198 0.0358 0.0377 0.0280 0.0225 0.0659 0.0698 0.0646
0
163 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix A
Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
Annual Arithmetic Mean Integrated Sampling (midnight to midnight) Using Federal Reference Method
Units: micrograms per cubic meter
Site ID
City
County
130210007 Macon
Bibb
130210012 Macon
Bibb
130510017 Savannah Chatham
Site Name
Allied Chemical GA Forestry Comm. Market St.
Days 98th
Meas- Percen-
ured
tile
343
28.2
Values Exceeding Applicable
Daily Standard
0
Annual Arithmetic Mean
13.71
107
22.4
0
11.35
109
23.6
1
10.45
130510091 Savannah Chatham Mercer School
99
22.3
130590002 Athens
Clarke
College Station Rd.
108
22.5
130630091
Forest Park
Clayton
Georgia DOT
114
25.2
130670003 Kennesaw Cobb
GA National Guard
332
22.6
130670004
Powder Springs
Cobb
Macland Aquatic Center
115
21.7
130890002 Decatur DeKalb
South DeKalb
338
22.5
0
10.44
0
11.33
0
13.44
1
12.16
0
12.14
1
12.30
130892001 Doraville DeKalb
Police Dept.
332
23.6
130950007
Albany Dougherty
Turner Elem. School
290
29.8
131150003 Rome
Floyd
Coosa Elementary
301
25.7
131210032 Atlanta
Fulton E. Rivers School 331
23.1
0
12.16
1
12.31
2
13.22
1
12.22
131210039 Atlanta
Fulton
Fire Station #8 107
24.4
131270006 Brunswick Glynn
Risley Middle School
79
22.4
1
14.51
0
10.55
164 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix A
Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) (continued)
Annual Arithmetic Mean Integrated Sampling (midnight to midnight) Using Federal Reference Method
Units: micrograms per cubic meter
Site ID
City
County
131350002 131390003 131530001 131850003 132150001 132150008 132150011 132230003
Lawrenceville
Gainesville Warner Robins Valdosta
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Yorkville
Gwinnett Hall
Houston Lowndes Muscogee Muscogee Muscogee Paulding
Site Name
Gwinnett Tech
Fair St. Elem.
Robins AFB S.L. Mason
Elem. Health Dept.
Columbus Airport
Cusseta Rd. School Yorkville
Days Measured
110
98th Percen-
tile
22.0
Values Exceeding Applicable
Daily Standard
0
Annual Arithmetic Mean
12.29
113
23.1
0
11.44
111
26.2
0
12.03
110
25.4
2
10.79
108
27.1
1
15.04
59
25.1
0
11.98
115
29.8
1
12.82
115
21.0
0
11.16
132450005 Augusta Richmond Medical College 106
22.1
132450091
Augusta
Richmond
Bungalow Rd. School
115
25.9
132950002 Rossville
Walker
Health Dept. 113
20.3
133030001 Sandersville
Washington
Health Dept.
104
23.1
133190001 Gordon
Wilkinson Police Dept.
108
23.0
0
11.97
0
12.40
0
8.89
0
11.36
1
13.66
165 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
Annual Arithmetic Mean Semi-Continuous Measurements
Section: Appendix A
Units: micrograms per cubic meter
Site ID
City
County
Site Name
Hours Measured
1st Max
2nd Max
Annual Arithmetic Mean
130210012
Macon
Bibb
GA Forestry Comm.
8529 142.7 91.6 10.76
130511002 Savannah
Chatham
Lathrop & Augusta Avenues
8572
67.1 65.9
10.41
130590002
Athens
Clarke College Station Rd. 8684 48.8 48.8 10.05
130770002
Newnan
Coweta
Univ. of West Georgia
8682 87.8 74.4 10.72
130890002
Decatur
DeKalb
South DeKalb
6577 53.5 52.1 15.19
130950007
Albany
Dougherty
Turner Elem
7960 115.0 100.9 12.50
131150003
Rome
Floyd
131210055
Atlanta
Fulton
131350002 Lawrenceville Gwinnett
Coosa Elem
Confederate Avenue
Gwinnett Tech
8315 8248 8662
110.0 100.7 59.4 56.0 78.3 77.1
14.96 12.51 10.90
131390003 131510002 131530001 131850003
Gainesville
McDonough Warner Robins Valdosta
Hall Henry Houston Lowndes
Gainesville County Extension
Office Warner Robins
Valdosta
8376 62.8 52.8 14.49
8570 118.2 91.5 11.01
7642 7585
188.6 71.8 178.7 174.3
13.21 14.20
132150008 Columbus Muscogee Columbus Airport 8666 61.0 58.5 10.89
132230003 132450091
Yorkville Augusta
Paulding Richmond
Yorkville
Bungalow Rd. School
8592 8324
46.1 43.2 84.6 81.5
9.86 10.88
132950002 Rossville
Walker Health Department 8274 68.2 60.1 13.18
These semi-continuous methods for measuring PM2.5 are not approved for use in making attainment determinations.
166 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix A
Particulate Matter (PM10)
24-Hour Integrated Measurements
Units: micrograms per cubic meter
Site ID
City
County
130210007 Macon
Bibb
130510014 Savannah Chatham
130550001 Summerville Chattooga
130892001 Doraville
DeKalb
Site Name
Allied Chemical Shuman
School DNR Fish Hatchery
Police Dept.
Days Measured
1st Max
Number Values >150
Annual Arithmetic Mean
56
50
0
24.1
57
36
0
15.5
59
46
0
17.7
60
62
0
19.1
130950007 Albany
Dougherty
Turner Elementary
61
52
0
20.8
131150003 Rome
Floyd
Coosa Elem School
59
59
0
25.2
131210032 Atlanta
Fulton
E. Rivers School
56
50
0
17.7
131270004 Brunswick
Glynn
Arco Pump Station
51
38
0
19.6
132150011 Columbus
Muscogee
Cusseta Rd. Elem. School
59
46
0
18.9
132450091 Augusta
Richmond
Bungalow Rd. Elem. School
55
43
0
18.9
133030001 Sandersville Washington Health Dept.
54
46
0
18.9
167 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix A
Particulate Matter (PM10)
Hourly Averages of Semi-Continuous Measurements
Units: micrograms per cubic meter
Site ID
City County Site Name
131210048 Atlanta Fulton
Georgia Tech
Hours Measured
7970
1st Max 48
Annual Arithmetic
Mean
17.9
168 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix B
Appendix B: Additional PM2.5 Particle Speciation Data
Particle Speciation- 2010 Statewide Average
Organic Carbon 36%
Elemental Carbon 4% Ammonium Ion 9%
Sulfate 27%
Other 14%
Nitrate 7%
Crustal 3%
169 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix B
Particle Speciation - Macon 2010
Organic Carbon 39%
Sulfate 26%
Other 14%
Elemental Carbon 6%
Ammonium Ion 7%
Nitrate 5%
Crustal 3%
Particle Speciation - Athens 2010
Organic Carbon 35%
Sulfate 27%
Other 14%
Nitrate 8%
Elemental Carbon Ammonium Ion
2%
10%
Crustal 4%
170 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix B
Particle Speciation - Douglas 2010
Organic Carbon 36%
Sulfate 30%
Other 16%
Elemental Carbon 3% Ammonium Ion 7%
Nitrate 4%
Crustal 4%
Particle Speciation- Atlanta 2010
Organic Carbon 34%
Sulfate 26%
Elemental Carbon 9%
Ammonium Ion 8%
Other 13%
Nitrate 7%
Crustal 3%
171 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix B
Particle Speciation - Rome 2010
Organic Carbon 35%
Sulfate 28%
Other 14%
Elemental Carbon 4%
Ammonium Ion 9%
Nitrate 6%
Crustal 4%
Particle Speciation - Columbus 2010
Organic Carbon 41%
Sulfate 25%
Other 13%
Elemental Carbon
4%
Ammonium Ion
7%
Nitrate 6%
Crustal 4%
172 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Particle Speciation - Augusta 2010
Section: Appendix B
Organic Carbon 33%
Elemental Carbon 4%
Ammonium Ion 10%
Sulfate 28%
Other 15%
Nitrate 7%
Crustal 3%
Particle Speciation - Rossville 2010
Organic Carbon 35%
Sulfate 28%
Other 13%
Nitrate 8%
Crustal 3%
Elemental Carbon 3%
Ammonium Ion 10%
173 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix C
Appendix C: Additional PAMS Data
PAMS Continuous Hydrocarbon Data (June-August 2010)
(concentrations in parts per billion Carbon (ppbC))
Name
Site #Samples
Avg.
1st Max
2nd Max
PAMSHC
S. DeKalb Conyers Yorkville
1890 537 1881
59.27 43.84 29.97
302.3 132.0 132.0
300.2 129.3 125.2
TNMOC
S. DeKalb Conyers Yorkville
1890 537 1881
67.72 68.26 41.71
362.2 291.3 143.5
362.2 287.2 139.7
Ethane Ethylene Propane Propylene
S. DeKalb Conyers Yorkville S. DeKalb Conyers Yorkville S. DeKalb Conyers Yorkville S. DeKalb Conyers Yorkville
1887 535 1879 1887 535 1879 1887 535 1879 1887 516 1879
3.465 2.746 2.463 1.847 0.459 0.428 4.221 3.300 2.762 1.056 0.565 0.406
13.37 6.60 10.74 11.69 1.80 6.85 31.65 35.80 12.96 6.41 1.80 2.26
12.21 6.20 10.43 10.63 1.70 6.09 30.57 19.20 12.00 5.43 1.80 1.86
Acetylene
S. DeKalb
1887
0.74
4.1
4.0
Conyers
516
0.20
1.6
1.5
Yorkville
1879
0.23
11.8
3.1
n-Butane
S. DeKalb Conyers Yorkville
1887 535 1879
2.114 1.194 0.734
12.25 13.10 4.35
12.19 4.90 2.60
Isobutane
S. DeKalb
1887
1.115
6.49
6.45
Conyers
535
0.534
2.50
2.30
Yorkville
1879
0.348
8.75
2.92
trans-2-Butene
S. DeKalb
1887
0.056
0.71
0.68
Conyers
495
0.013
0.40
0.40
Yorkville
1879
0.006
0.53
0.24
cis-2-Butene
S. DeKalb
1887
0.036
0.59
0.56
Conyers
516
0.262
1.10
1.10
Yorkville
1879
0.016
0.60
0.57
n-Pentane
S. DeKalb Conyers Yorkville
1887 535 1879
2.990 1.675 0.705
18.41 10.30 5.92
18.22 9.90 4.05
Isopentane
S. DeKalb Conyers Yorkville
1887 535 1879
4.524 2.274 1.111
28.09 10.80 12.45
27.30 10.20 7.05
1-Pentene
S. DeKalb
1887
0.051
2.17
1.07
Conyers
535
0.037
0.60
0.60
Yorkville
1879
0.006
0.41
0.35
174 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix C
PAMS Continuous Hydrocarbon Data (June-August 2010)(continued)
Name
(concentrations in ppbC)
Site #Samples
Avg.
1st Max
2nd Max
trans-2-Pentene
S. DeKalb
1887
0.111
1.43
1.40
Conyers
535
0.086
0.60
0.60
Yorkville
1879
0.006
0.86
0.39
cis-2-Pentene
S. DeKalb
1887
0.041
0.69
0.69
Conyers
493
0.025
1.10
0.80
Yorkville
1879
0.005
0.41
0.01
3-Methylpentane
S. DeKalb
1887
0.580
4.71
4.57
Conyers
535
0.199
1.80
1.50
Yorkville
1879
0.093
1.40
0.74
n-Hexane
S. DeKalb Conyers Yorkville
1888 535 1810
1.089 0.753 0.091
11.02
7.26
4.40
3.30
1.57
1.24
n-Heptane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.521
3.79
3.64
Conyers
535
0.346
1.60
1.30
Yorkville
1810
0.022
0.62
0.61
n-Octane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.188
1.34
1.21
Conyers
535
0.172
4.00
3.70
Yorkville
1810
0.789
2.53
1.98
n-Nonane
S. DeKalb Conyers
1888 535
0.153 0.484
2.90
2.24
11.30
7.90
Yorkville
1810
0.014
1.28
1.19
n-Decane
S. DeKalb Conyers
1888 535
0.159 0.533
2.82
2.80
10.10
9.90
Yorkville
1810
0.111
6.26
5.98
Cyclopentane
S. DeKalb
1887
0.185
1.97
1.34
Conyers
535
0.089
2.80
1.10
Yorkville
1879
0.021
1.18
0.46
Isoprene
S. DeKalb
1887
9.784
45.47
45.08
Conyers
535
10.053
54.10
47.10
Yorkville
1879
11.638
97.90
96.36
2,2-Dimethylbutane
S. DeKalb
1887
0.052
0.85
0.81
Conyers
535
0.045
1.00
0.80
Yorkville
1879
0.005
0.31
0.22
2,4-Dimethylpentane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.224
2.21
2.10
Conyers
535
0.086
1.00
0.80
Yorkville
1810
0.010
0.56
0.54
Cyclohexane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.208
5.68
5.45
Conyers
535
0.102
1.30
0.60
Yorkville
1810
0.014
1.42
1.25
3-Methylhexane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.635
4.59
4.47
Conyers
535
0.465
2.00
1.80
Yorkville
1810
0.037
0.69
0.61
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane S. DeKalb
1888
1.758
12.99
12.67
Conyers
535
0.891
4.50
4.30
Yorkville
1810
0.195
1.48
1.27
175 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix C
PAMS Continuous Hydrocarbon Data (June-August 2010)(continued)
Name
(concentrations in ppbC)
Site #Samples
Avg.
1st Max
2nd Max
2,3,4-Trimethylpentane S. DeKalb
1888
0.466
3.98
3.90
Conyers
535
0.316
5.10
4.50
Yorkville
1810
0.019
0.67
0.39
3-Methylheptane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.136
1.51
1.42
Conyers
535
0.102
1.30
1.10
Yorkville
1810
0.007
0.61
0.27
Methylcyclohexane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.275
2.19
2.14
Conyers
535
0.143
1.00
0.90
Yorkville
1810
0.009
0.41
0.37
Methylcyclopentane
S. DeKalb
1887
0.555
3.72
3.71
Conyers
535
0.267
1.50
1.50
Yorkville
1810
0.031
0.55
0.53
2-Methylhexane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.545
3.79
3.67
Conyers
535
0.342
1.60
1.60
Yorkville
1810
0.018
0.49
0.45
1-Butene
S. DeKalb
1887
0.323
1.78
1.15
Conyers
535
0.143
0.90
0.70
Yorkville
1879
0.024
0.49
0.44
2,3-Dimethylbutane
S. DeKalb
1887
0.326
9.25
4.15
Conyers
535
0.111
1.20
1.10
Yorkville
1879
0.014
0.70
0.38
2-Methylpentane
S. DeKalb
1887
0.875
6.64
6.58
Conyers
535
0.295
3.60
1.80
Yorkville
1879
0.193
2.26
1.16
2,3-Dimethylpentane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.322
2.82
2.74
Conyers
535
0.234
1.50
1.30
Yorkville
1810
0.026
0.81
0.76
n-Undecane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.193
4.64
3.72
Conyers
535
0.496
6.50
6.40
Yorkville
1810
0.385
5.23
5.19
2-Methylheptane
S. DeKalb
1888
0.092
1.09
1.09
Conyers
535
0.070
0.50
0.50
Yorkville
1810
0.006
1.30
0.30
m & p Xylenes
S. DeKalb
1888
1.432
16.75
15.03
Conyers
535
0.917
4.50
4.40
Yorkville
1810
0.170
1.63
1.62
Benzene
S. DeKalb
1888
0.940
9.32
6.56
Conyers
535
0.745
2.50
2.40
Yorkville
1810
0.124
2.65
1.08
Toluene
S. DeKalb
1888
3.898
47.28
35.42
Conyers
535
2.260
9.50
9.40
Yorkville
1810
0.707
4.08
3.65
Ethylbenzene
S. DeKalb
1888
0.514
5.97
5.23
Conyers
535
0.354
2.80
2.20
Yorkville
1810
0.035
0.58
0.56
176 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix C
PAMS Continuous Hydrocarbon Data (June-August 2010)(continued)
Name
(concentrations in ppbC)
Site #Samples
Avg.
1st Max
2nd Max
o-Xylene
S. DeKalb
1888
0.587
4.29
3.99
Conyers
535
0.411
2.90
2.80
Yorkville
1810
0.043
0.71
0.63
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene S. DeKalb
1888
0.322
2.39
2.36
Conyers
535
0.562
13.00
10.90
Yorkville
1810
0.116
6.89
0.90
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene S. DeKalb
1888
0.837
5.90
5.86
Conyers
535
0.752
7.80
4.70
Yorkville
1810
0.086
1.21
1.17
n-Propylbenzene
S. DeKalb
1888
0.062
1.08
0.99
Conyers
535
0.351
16.10
16.10
Yorkville
1810
0.125
1.18
1.17
Isopropylbenzene
S. DeKalb
1888
0.017
0.68
0.60
Conyers
535
0.271
5.50
4.30
Yorkville
1810
0.008
0.59
0.57
o-Ethyltoluene
S. DeKalb
1228
0.182
4.67
3.92
Conyers
535
0.295
17.10
6.80
Yorkville
1810
0.384
6.69
6.53
m-Ethyltoluene
S. DeKalb
1149
1.737
13.27
13.19
Conyers
N/A
Yorkville
1223
1.319
7.28
7.24
m-Diethylbenzene
S. DeKalb
1888
0.032
1.04
0.88
Conyers
535
0.189
5.00
3.50
Yorkville
1810
1.822
6.26
6.09
p-Diethylbenzene
S. DeKalb
1888
0.094
1.33
1.14
Conyers
535
0.177
8.50
3.30
Yorkville
1810
0.858
12.50
12.02
Styrene
S. DeKalb
1888
0.364
5.12
4.41
Conyers
535
0.535
2.60
2.50
Yorkville
1810
0.046
1.02
0.88
Beta Pinene and 1,2,3- S. DeKalb
1888
3.410
23.34
22.58
Trimethylbenzene
Conyers
N/A
Yorkville
1225
1.676
6.11
5.94
Pinene and p-Ethyltoluene S. DeKalb
1842
0.006
0.99
0.73
Conyers
N/A
Yorkville
1810
0.034
2.27
0.85
m and p-Ethyltoluene
S. DeKalb
1888
2.861
17.97
16.82
Conyers
N/A
Yorkville
1810
0.744
5.77
4.95
m/p-Ethyltoluene
S. DeKalb
660
0.208
1.25
1.22
Conyers
535
5.978
29.50
27.60
Yorkville
1238
1.092
7.28
7.24
N/A indicates not applicable
177 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix C
PAMS 2010 24-hour Canister Hydrocarbons
(concentrations in parts per billion Carbon (ppbC))
Name
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.* 1st Max 2nd Max
PAMSHC
S. DeKalb
53
Conyers
43
Yorkville
58
52
79.23 220.0 200.0
41
34.14 89.0 88.0
58
30.26 100.0 72.0
TNMOC Ethane
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
49
Yorkville
58
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
52 160.04 340.0 330.0
49 142.80 320.0 310.0
58
78.17 150.0 150.0
41
4.55 16.0 14.0
48
5.42 22.0 17.0
51
4.10 11.0 9.7
Ethylene
S. DeKalb
52
ND
Conyers
55
ND
Yorkville
58
ND
Propane Propylene Acetylene
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
50
6.34 21.0 16.0
55
5.31 16.0 13.0
57
4.55 18.0 12.0
47
1.45 4.7 4.5
49
0.60 2.1 1.3
39
0.25 0.7 0.5
44
1.99 8.8 7.2
49
1.07 3.6 3.4
50
0.72 2.3 1.9
n-Butane
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
50
5.47 24.0 18.0
54
2.54 7.3 6.9
54
1.54 4.6 4.0
Isobutane trans-2-Butene
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
49
2.17 6.8 6.7
52
0.95 2.9 2.4
48
0.56 1.9 1.8
10
0.17 0.8 0.7
ND
ND
cis-2-Butene n-Pentane
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
10
0.17 1.2 0.6
4
0.11 0.3 0.3
ND
49
3.41 11.0 11.0
55
1.89 5.6 4.6
54
0.96 1.8 1.7
Isopentane 1-Pentene trans-2-Pentene
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
S. DeKalb
52
Conyers
55
Yorkville
58
50
10.49 32.0 29.0
55
2.40 6.4 5.9
57
1.12 2.6 2.5
34
0.78 18.0 5.3
5
0.11 0.3 0.2
1
0.10 0.2
32
1.76 12.0 11.0
41
2.19 9.3 8.7
41
2.22 13.0 12.0
178 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix C
PAMS 2010 24-hour Canister Hydrocarbons (continued)
Name
(concentrations in ppbC) Site #Samples #Detects^ Avg.* 1st Max 2nd Max
cis-2-Pentene
S. DeKalb
52
18
0.30 1.9
1.3
Conyers
55
5
0.35 3.3
3.3
Yorkville
58
12
0.75 4.7
4.3
3-Methylpentane
S. DeKalb
52
50
1.72 20.0 4.9
Conyers
55
41
0.69 4.8
3.8
Yorkville
58
34
0.29 1.0
0.9
n-Hexane
S. DeKalb
52
47
1.16 3.3
3.2
Conyers
55
49
0.87 2.7
2.3
Yorkville
58
45
0.38 1.6
1.0
n-Heptane
S. DeKalb
52
42
0.61 2.0
1.7
Conyers
55
27
0.20 0.5
0.5
Yorkville
58
6
0.12 0.4
0.3
n-Octane
S. DeKalb
52
37
0.43 2.0
1.2
Conyers
55
16
0.24 5.1
0.4
Yorkville
58
6
0.14 1.4
0.4
n-Nonane
S. DeKalb
52
30
0.27 0.9
0.8
Conyers
55
16
0.16 0.8
0.7
Yorkville
58
5
0.11 0.3
0.3
n-Decane
S. DeKalb
52
36
0.36 1.1
1.1
Conyers
55
29
0.68 20.0 3.8
Yorkville
58
3
0.11 0.3
0.2
Cyclopentane
S. DeKalb
52
31
0.29 1.3
0.8
Conyers
55
7
0.11 0.2
0.2
Yorkville
58
4
0.11 0.2
0.2
Isoprene
S. DeKalb
52
38
5.15 21.0 20.0
Conyers
55
37
4.92 28.0 22.0
Yorkville
58
36
4.46 26.0 19.0
2,2-Dimethylbutane
S. DeKalb
52
43
0.58 1.8
1.5
Conyers
55
39
0.30 1.0
0.7
Yorkville
58
5
0.11 0.2
0.2
2,4-Dimethylpentane
S. DeKalb
52
32
0.36 1.7
1.1
Conyers
55
10
0.13 0.4
0.3
Yorkville
58
7
0.13 0.6
0.4
Cyclohexane
S. DeKalb
52
30
0.30 1.0
0.9
Conyers
55
11
0.14 0.4
0.3
Yorkville
58
4
0.11 0.4
0.3
3-Methylhexane
S. DeKalb
52
44
0.77 2.6
2.4
Conyers
55
38
0.35 0.8
0.7
Yorkville
58
8
0.13 0.4
0.4
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane S. DeKalb
52
45
1.71 5.4
5.2
Conyers
55
43
0.54 1.5
1.4
Yorkville
58
24
0.24 3.1
0.6
2,3,4-Trimethylpentane S. DeKalb
52
41
0.57 1.8
1.7
Conyers
55
26
0.19 0.5
0.5
Yorkville
58
7
0.11 0.3
0.2
179 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix C
PAMS 2010 24-hour Canister Hydrocarbons (continued)
Name
(concentrations in ppbC)
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.* 1st Max 2ndMax
3-Methylheptane
S. DeKalb
52
25
0.24 0.8
0.7
Conyers
55
26
0.25 3.9
0.4
Yorkville
58
6
0.12 0.7
0.2
Methylcyclohexane
S. DeKalb
52
31
0.34 1.1
1.1
Conyers
55
9
0.15 1.5
0.3
Yorkville
58
2
0.11 0.3
0.3
Methylcyclopentane
S. DeKalb
52
41
0.69 2.3
2.3
Conyers
55
30
0.23 0.6
0.6
Yorkville
58
7
0.12 0.3
0.3
2-Methylhexane
S. DeKalb
52
42
0.68 2.3
1.9
Conyers
55
35
0.30 1.1
0.7
Yorkville
58
1
0.11 0.4
1-Butene
S. DeKalb
52
38
0.47 1.5
1.4
Conyers
55
30
0.21 0.8
0.5
Yorkville
58
9
0.13 0.4
0.3
2,3-Dimenthylbutane
S. DeKalb
52
39
0.95 3.0
2.7
Conyers
55
28
0.57 2.0
2.0
Yorkville
58
17
0.48 2.5
2.3
2-Methylpentane
S. DeKalb
52
47
1.62 5.5
5.3
Conyers
55
48
0.53 1.4
1.3
Yorkville
58
40
0.26 0.6 0.5
2,3-Dimethylpentane
S. DeKalb
52
37
0.47 1.8 1.4
Conyers
55
15
0.15 0.4 0.4
Yorkville
58
9
0.12 0.3 0.3
n-Undecane
S. DeKalb
52
41
0.41 1.6 0.9
Conyers
55
23
0.20 1.0 0.5
Yorkville
58
16
0.14 0.3 0.3
2-Methylheptane
S. DeKalb
52
26
0.25 0.9 0.8
Conyers
55
7
0.15 1.9 0.3
Yorkville
58
3
0.11 0.2 0.2
m & p Xylenes
S. DeKalb
52
48
2.36 7.0 6.5
Conyers
55
49
0.75 2.2 1.8
Yorkville
58
33
0.28 0.8 0.8
Benzene
S. DeKalb
52
51
1.48 4.1 3.9
Conyers
55
53
0.77 1.8 1.7
Yorkville
58
55
0.56 1.3 1.1
Toluene
S. DeKalb
52
51
4.76 15.0 12.0
Conyers
55
55
1.67 4.0 3.3
Yorkville
58
55
0.86 1.8 1.6
Ethylbenzene
S. DeKalb
52
42
0.72 2.1 1.9
Conyers
55
31
0.25 0.7 0.6
Yorkville
58
4
0.11 0.4 0.3
o-Xylene
S. DeKalb
52
46
0.86 2.5 2.2
Conyers
55
40
0.31 0.7 0.7
Yorkville
58
12
0.14 0.4 0.3
180 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix C
PAMS 2010 24-hour Canister Hydrocarbons (continued)
Name
(concentrations in ppbC)
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.* 1st Max 2ndMax
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene S. DeKalb
52
31
0.34 1.0 1.0
Conyers
55
10
0.13 0.4 0.3
Yorkville
58
1
0.10 0.2
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene S. DeKalb
52
46
1.51 16.0 6.9
Conyers
25
18
0.37 1.0 0.7
Yorkville
51
14
1.62 24.0 17.0
n-Propylbenzene
S. DeKalb
52
26
0.22 0.6 0.5
Conyers
55
3
0.11 0.2 0.2
Yorkville
58
ND
Isopropylbenzene
S. DeKalb
52
2
0.10 0.2 0.2
Conyers
55
1
0.11 0.7
Yorkville
58
1
0.11 0.4
o-Ethyltoluene
S. DeKalb
52
39
0.49 1.4 1.2
Conyers
55
29
0.27 0.8 0.7
Yorkville
58
17
0.23 1.2 1.1
m-Ethyltoluene
S. DeKalb
52
43
0.74 2.1 1.9
Conyers
55
37
0.30 1.0 1.0
Yorkville
58
7
0.12 0.3 0.3
p-Ethyltoluene
S. DeKalb
52
44
0.63 1.6 1.4
Conyers
55
46
0.82 7.5 5.4
Yorkville
58
23
0.17 0.5 0.5
m-Diethylbenzene
S. DeKalb
52
15
0.20 1.8 0.8
Conyers
55
1
0.11 0.4
Yorkville
58
ND
p-Diethylbenzene
S. DeKalb
52
34
0.36 1.4 1.0
Conyers
55
8
0.12 0.3 0.3
Yorkville
58
19
0.16 0.4 0.4
Styrene
S. DeKalb
52
47
0.93 5.2 3.8
Conyers
55
44
0.53 1.7 1.0
Yorkville
58
49
0.65 1.2 1.2
1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene S. DeKalb
52
38
0.44 1.1 1.1
Conyers
55
38
0.47 3.7 2.8
Yorkville
58
4
0.11 0.4 0.3
ND indicates no detection ^Detect is counted as any value above half method detection limit. *When a detected concentration is below one half of the method detection limit, then one half of the method detection level is used to calculate the average.
181 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Name Antimony
Arsenic
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chromium
Chromium+6*** Cobalt
Appendix D: Additional Toxics Data
2010 Metals
(concentrations in micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3))
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.*
Macon
25
25
0.00104
Savannah
28
28
0.00067
General Coffee
30
29
0.00048
Dawsonville
26
24
0.00064
South DeKalb**
58
58
0.00113
Yorkville
28
26
0.00063
Macon
25
23
0.00080
Savannah
28
27
0.00088
General Coffee
30
30
0.00126
Dawsonville
26
24
0.00067
South DeKalb**
58
52
0.00058
Yorkville
28
25
0.00082
Macon
25
1
0.00003
Savannah
28
1
0.00003
General Coffee
30
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb**
58
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Macon
25
25
0.00019
Savannah
28
27
0.00032
General Coffee
30
30
0.00014
Dawsonville
26
26
0.00012
South DeKalb**
58
58
0.00009
Yorkville
28
27
0.00019
Macon
25
25
0.00245
Savannah
28
27
0.00240
General Coffee
30
30
0.00393
Dawsonville
26
26
0.00200
South DeKalb**
58
58
0.00211
Yorkville
28
26
0.00270
South DeKalb
60
40
0.00002
Macon
25
22
0.00022
Savannah
28
23
0.00014
General Coffee
30
27
0.00016
Dawsonville
26
14
0.00008
South DeKalb**
58
37
0.00009
Yorkville
28
20
0.00014
Section: Appendix D
1st Max 0.00571 0.00143 0.00136 0.00172 0.00477 0.00163 0.00164 0.00652 0.00370 0.00155 0.00122 0.00303 0.00003 0.00003
2nd Max 0.00209 0.00141 0.00108 0.00127 0.00371 0.00118 0.00136 0.00150 0.00248 0.00117 0.00121 0.00237
0.00068 0.00113 0.00057 0.00025 0.00058 0.00088 0.01089 0.00118 0.04293 0.00442 0.01299 0.01777 0.00006 0.00142 0.00068 0.00171 0.00027 0.00026 0.00089
0.00038 0.00075 0.00033 0.00020 0.00031 0.00057 0.00344 0.00112 0.00759 0.00332 0.00553 0.00541 0.00005 0.00128 0.00023 0.00023 0.00015 0.00024 0.00052
182 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
Name Lead Manganese Nickel Selenium Zinc
2010 Metals (continued)
(concentrations in g/m3)
Site
#Samples #Detects^
Macon
25
25
Savannah
28
27
General Coffee
30
30
Dawsonville
26
26
South DeKalb**
58
58
Yorkville
28
27
Macon
25
25
Savannah
28
27
General Coffee
30
30
Dawsonville
26
25
South DeKalb**
58
58
Yorkville
28
27
Macon
25
25
Savannah
28
27
General Coffee
30
30
Dawsonville
26
25
South DeKalb**
58
57
Yorkville
28
26
Macon
25
24
Savannah
28
26
General Coffee
30
25
Dawsonville
26
24
South DeKalb**
58
56
Yorkville
28
24
Macon
25
25
Savannah
28
27
General Coffee
30
30
Dawsonville
26
26
South DeKalb**
58
58
Yorkville
28
27
Avg.* 0.00312 0.00304 0.00248 0.00200 0.00169 0.00206 0.00713 0.00704 0.00675 0.00476 0.00395 0.00566 0.00296 0.00423 0.00718 0.00156 0.00195 0.00319 0.00056 0.00066 0.00047 0.00057 0.00046 0.00061 0.02455 0.02598 0.02386 0.01626 0.01634 0.01958
1st Max 0.00831 0.00702 0.01110 0.00452 0.00574 0.00462 0.02334 0.02198 0.05078 0.01612 0.01667 0.03267 0.03008 0.04709 0.13848 0.00986 0.01559 0.04053 0.00162 0.00132 0.00099 0.00115 0.00111 0.00231 0.07779 0.09419 0.15695 0.04275 0.06111 0.08330
2nd Max 0.00830 0.00576 0.00969 0.00427 0.00455 0.00398 0.02004 0.01545 0.01553 0.01550 0.01335 0.01833 0.00467 0.00541 0.00860 0.00230 0.01383 0.01127 0.00108 0.00122 0.00093 0.00115 0.00102 0.00144 0.04442 0.06480 0.03705 0.03638 0.05804 0.05351
*When a detected concentration is below one half of the method detection limit, then one half of the method detection level is used to calculate the average, ** Selected PM10 Hi-Vol, sample collected every 6 days, *** Hexavalent Chromium, sample collected every 6 days, ND indicates no detection,^Detect is counted as any value above half method detection limit.
183 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
Name Acenaphthene Acenaphthylene Anthracene Benzo(a)anthracene Benzo(b)fluoranthene Benzo(k)fluoranthene Benzo(a)pyrene
2010 Semi-Volatile Compounds
(concentrations in g/m3)
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.**
Macon Savannah
27
18
0.00427
26
19
0.00291
General Coffee
29
1
0.00016
Dawsonville
27
1
0.00017
South DeKalb*
59
59
0.00285
Yorkville
28
3
0.00034
Macon Savannah
24
ND
28
ND
General Coffee
27
ND
Dawsonville
22
South DeKalb*
59
Yorkville
21
ND
35
0.00050
ND
Macon
29
ND
Savannah
29
14
0.00111
General Coffee
29
ND
Dawsonville
28
ND
South DeKalb*
59
Yorkville
28
24
0.00010
ND
Macon
29
ND
Savannah
29
ND
General Coffee
28
Dawsonville
28
South DeKalb*
59
ND
ND
20
0.00007
Yorkville
28
ND
Macon
30
ND
Savannah
29
ND
General Coffee
29
ND
Dawsonville
29
ND
South DeKalb*
59
40
0.00018
Yorkville
29
ND
Macon Savannah
30
ND
29
ND
General Coffee
29
ND
Dawsonville
29
ND
South DeKalb*
59
22
0.00005
Yorkville
29
ND
Macon
30
ND
Savannah
29
ND
General Coffee
29
ND
Dawsonville
29
ND
South DeKalb*
59
Yorkville
29
21
0.00008
ND
1st Max 0.01884 0.00813 0.00057 0.00075 0.01230 0.00273
0.00377 0.00376 0.00055
0.00085
0.00166
0.00050
0.00101
2nd Max 0.01234 0.00722 0.00861 0.00190
0.00371 0.00348 0.00045
0.00026
0.00105
0.00023
0.00036
184 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
Name
2010 Semi-Volatile Compounds (continued)
(concentrations in g/m3)
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.** 1st Max
Benzo(e)pyrene
Macon
30
2
0.00034 0.00338
Savannah
29
1
0.00023 0.00248
General Coffee
29
2
0.00032 0.00299
Dawsonville
29
2
0.00034 0.00348
South DeKalb*
59
34
0.00011 0.00081
Yorkville
29
2
0.00033 0.00321
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
Macon
30
1
0.00016 0.00032
Savannah
29
ND
General Coffee
29
ND
Dawsonville
29
ND
South DeKalb*
59
29
0.00011 0.00065
Yorkville
29
ND
Chrysene
Macon
30
ND
Savannah
29
ND
General Coffee
29
ND
Dawsonville
29
ND
South DeKalb*
59
57
0.00015 0.00099
Yorkville
29
1
0.00016 0.00057
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene Macon
30
ND
Savannah
29
ND
General Coffee
29
ND
Dawsonville
29
ND
South DeKalb*
59
2
0.00005 0.00016
Yorkville
29
ND
Fluoranthene
Macon
30
25
0.00170 0.00614
Savannah
29
27
0.00343 0.00879
General Coffee
29
ND
Dawsonville
29
3
0.00018 0.00050
South DeKalb*
59
59
0.00100 0.00235
Yorkville
29
8
0.00044 0.00453
Fluorene
Macon
25
22
0.00389 0.00981
Savannah
24
22
0.00739 0.01782
General Coffee
27
1
0.00018 0.00094
Dawsonville
28
6
0.00040 0.00210
South DeKalb*
59
59
0.00336 0.00963
Yorkville
26
11
0.00114 0.00508
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene Macon
30
ND
Savannah
29
ND
General Coffee
29
ND
Dawsonville
29
ND
South DeKalb*
59
23
0.00010 0.00080
Yorkville
29
ND
Naphthalene
Macon
23
23
0.02950 0.07712
Savannah
22
21
0.02466 0.13630
General Coffee
25
19
0.00746 0.01905
Dawsonville
20
18
0.02005 0.19886
2nd Max 0.00266 0.00223 0.00226 0.00048 0.00226
0.00047
0.00073
0.00005 0.00417 0.00784 0.00047 0.00225 0.00135 0.00899 0.01538 0.00155 0.00827 0.00412
0.00046 0.05108 0.05407 0.01523 0.03134
185 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
Name
2010 Semi-Volatile Compounds (continued)
(concentrations in g/m3)
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.** 1st Max
Naphthalene (continued) South DeKalb*
59
59
0.12753 0.32300
Yorkville
19
19
0.01264 0.02727
Phenanthrene
Macon
27
27
0.00805 0.02703
Savannah
25
24
0.01333 0.03139
General Coffee
26
12
0.00072 0.00347
Dawsonville
28
19
0.00119 0.00339
South DeKalb*
59
59
0.00486 0.01250
Yorkville
28
17
0.00130 0.00508
Pyrene
Macon
28
8
0.00045 0.00194
Savannah
29
24
0.00182 0.00502
General Coffee
28
ND
Dawsonville
28
1
0.00016 0.00051
South DeKalb*
59
59
0.00061 0.00171
Yorkville
27
2
0.00033 0.00470
Retene
South DeKalb*
59
59
0.00022 0.00105
9-fluorenone
South DeKalb*
59
59
0.00103 0.00316
Cyclopenta(cd)pyrene South DeKalb*
59
5
0.00008 0.00031
Coronene
South DeKalb*
59
12
0.00007 0.00016
Perylene
South DeKalb*
59
10
0.00007 0.00036
2nd Max 0.30100 0.01935 0.02683 0.02845 0.00272 0.00245 0.0119 0.00443 0.00154 0.00439
0.00146 0.00042 0.00082 0.00244 0.00024 0.00016 0.00033
ND indicates no detection ^Detect is counted as any value above half method detection limit. *Sample collected every 6 days and analyzed at ERG laboratory with gas chromatography. **When a detected concentration is below one half of the method detection limit, then one half of the method detection level is used to calculate the average.
186 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
Name Freon 113 Freon 114 1,3-Butadiene Cyclohexane Chloromethane Dichloromethane Chloroform Carbon tetrachloride
2010 Volatile Organic Compounds
(concentrations in g/m3)
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.**
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Macon
27
5
7.2707
Savannah
22
3
0.5376
General Coffee 26
2
0.2894
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Macon
27
27
1.0916
Savannah
22
11
0.7459
General Coffee 26
26
1.2432
Dawsonville
26
26
1.0812
South DeKalb*
53
53
1.0218
Yorkville
28
28
1.0246
Macon
27
1
4.0190
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
15
5.5460
Yorkville
28
ND
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Macon
27
1
0.7875
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
1st Max
163.7382 2.4339 0.4425 1.4458 1.4045 1.8589 1.3425 1.3632 1.4252 97.2270 65.9755
0.8178
2nd Max
11.7272 2.4339 0.4425 1.4458 1.3632 1.6317 1.3012 1.2806 1.3632
45.1411
187 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
2010 Volatile Organic Compounds (continued)
(concentrations in g/m3)
Name
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.** 1st Max
Carbon tetrachloride
South DeKalb*
53
ND
(continued)
Yorkville
28
ND
Trichlorofluoromethane Macon
27
27
1.1323 1.6297
Savannah
22
21
1.1124 1.5735
General Coffee 26
26
1.1110 1.5173
Dawsonville
26
26
1.0893 1.4611
South DeKalb*
53
53
1.1568 1.7421
Yorkville
28
28
1.0998 1.5173
Chloroethane
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
1,1-Dichloroethane
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Methyl chloroform
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Ethylene dichloride
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Tetrachloroethylene
Macon
27
2
1.3299 12.8843
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
2
0.8553 1.2206
Yorkville
28
ND
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
2nd Max 1.5735 1.5173 1.4611 1.3487 1.7421 1.4611
1.8309 0.8816
188 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
2010 Volatile Organic Compounds (continued)
(concentrations in g/m3)
Name
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.** 1st Max
Bromomethane
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Dichlorodifluoromethane Macon
27
27
2.0109 3.0163
Savannah
22
13
1.5969 3.1152
General Coffee 26
26
2.0806 3.0163
Dawsonville
26
26
1.8391 2.7691
South DeKalb*
53
53
1.9294 2.9669
Yorkville
28
28
1.9479 3.1647
Trichloroethylene
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
1,2-Dichloropropane
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
trans-1,3Dichloropropylene
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
cis-1,3-Dichloropropylene Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
2nd Max
2.7691 2.9669 2.7196 2.6702 2.7691 2.8680
189 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
2010 Volatile Organic Compounds (continued)
(concentrations in g/m3)
Name
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.** 1st Max
cis-1,3-Dichloropropylene Dawsonville
26
ND
(continued)
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Ethylene dibromide
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Hexachlorobutadiene
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Vinyl chloride
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
m/p Xylene
Macon
27
1
0.5518 0.7818
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
12
0.5979 0.9990
Yorkville
28
ND
Benzene
Macon
27
20
4.3105 51.1084
Savannah
22
12
0.7100 1.5971
General Coffee 26
6
0.4656 1.3735
Dawsonville
26
19
4.5991 29.7067
South DeKalb*
53
34
0.5915 1.4374
Yorkville
28
4
0.4084 0.5430
Toluene
Macon
27
8
0.6662 2.5991
Savannah
22
14
1.3903 6.0270
General Coffee 26
1
0.4817 0.7534
Dawsonville
26
2
0.4738 0.5274
South DeKalb*
53
37
1.1329 3.1642
Yorkville
28
ND
Ethylbenzene
Macon
27
ND
2nd Max
0.9990 41.5256 1.5333 0.7986 17.2491 1.3416 0.4472 1.5821 6.0270 0.4897 2.5991
190 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
2010 Volatile Organic Compounds (continued)
(concentrations in g/m3)
Name
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.** 1st Max
Ethylbenzene
Savannah
22
ND
(continuted)
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
o- Xylene
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Styrene
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Benzene,1-ethenyl-4methyl
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Chlorobenzene
Macon
27
3
0.7778 4.0527
Savannah
22
11
1.0645 2.3027
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
8
0.7971 2.6250
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
2nd Max
2.3027 2.1184 1.5198
191 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
2010 Volatile Organic Compounds (continued)
(concentrations in g/m3)
Name
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.** 1st Max
1,2-Dichlorobenzene (continued)
Yorkville
28
ND
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
Benzyl chloride
Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene Macon
27
ND
Savannah
22
ND
General Coffee 26
ND
Dawsonville
26
ND
South DeKalb*
53
ND
Yorkville
28
ND
2nd Max
ND indicates no detection ^Detect is counted as any value above half method detection limit. *Sample collected every 6 days **When a detected concentration is below one half of the method detection limit, then one half of the method detection level is used to calculate the average.
192 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
Site ID 130890002
2010 Black Carbon (NATTS)
(concentration in micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3)
City
County
Site Name
Hours Measured
1st Max
2nd Max
Decatur DeKalb
South DeKalb
5919
15.41
12.98
Annual Arithmetic
Mean
1.667
193 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
2010 Carbonyl Compounds, 3-hour (June-August)
Name
(concentrations in micrograms per cubic meter)
Site
Time #Samples #Detects^ Avg.*
1st Max
Formaldehyde
S. DeKalb 0600
30
0900
29
28
2.4291 5.2556
29
6.0128 12.3889
1200
27
1500
25
27
7.6072 11.4444
25
7.3022 11.1667
Acetaldehyde
S. DeKalb 0600
30
0900
29
13
0.9627 2.4557
24
1.9182 4.4944
1200
27
1500
25
27
2.8693 7.1111
25
2.5076 4.5889
Propionaldehyde
S. DeKalb 0600
30
ND
0900
29
ND
1200
27
ND
1500
25
ND
Butyraldehyde
S. DeKalb 0600
30
0900
29
10
0.8173 1.7500
18
1.4015 3.4167
1200
27
1500
25
24
1.8355 3.8000
22
1.7963 3.7833
Acetone
S. DeKalb 0600
30
26
2.1703 12.3333
0900
29
26
2.3746 5.3667
1200
27
1500
25
27
3.9710 7.2778
25
3.4636 8.8333
Benzaldehyde
S. DeKalb 0600
30
8
0.7618 1.8556
0900
29
19
1.5974 4.5778
1200
27
1500
25
27
2.6212 4.8667
24
2.9291 6.0000
2nd Max 4.5389 10.7778 10.9444 10.2778 1.7111 3.4833 4.3722 3.9722
1.4833 3.2389 3.2444 3.0778 3.9611 4.9722 7.2778 8.2222 1.6056 3.1567 4.7000 5.2944
ND indicates no detection ^Detect is counted as any value above half method detection limit. * When a detected concentration is below one half of the method detection limit, then one half of the method detection level is used to calculate the average.
194 Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
2010 Georgia Ambient Air Surveillance Report
Section: Appendix D
Name Formaldehyde
Acetaldehyde
Propionaldehyde
Butyraldehyde
Acetone
Benzaldehyde
Acrolein (with canister method)
2010 Carbonyl Compounds, 24-hour
(concentrations in micrograms per cubic meter)
Site
#Samples #Detects^ Avg.**
Savannah
28
28
9.2604
Dawsonville
28
21
5.7939
S. DeKalb*
57
57
4.6475
Savannah
28
23
6.8646
Dawsonville
28
14
1.2868
S. DeKalb*
57
48
1.9148
Savannah
28
Dawsonville
28
S. DeKalb*
57
9
1.1080
1
0.5832
1
0.5641
Savannah
28
10
1.7416
Dawsonville
28
6
0.7862
S. DeKalb*
57
8
0.7209
Savannah
26
23
12.5862
Dawsonville
27
24
4.1733
S. DeKalb*
55
41
4.2613
Savannah
28
10
1.6062
Dawsonville
28
10
0.9966
S. DeKalb*
57
8
0.7519
Macon
27
Savannah
22
General Coffee 26
Dawsonville
26
South DeKalb*
53
Yorkville
28
23
0.8880
17
4.2505
20
1.5029
25
2.4599
50
1.5204
23
0.8240
1st Max
25.3529 62.7778 11.7647 32.7647 7.6111 5.5471 5.2000 1.1556 0.6824 11.2353 2.5111 2.8765 70.0000 10.6667 13.7059 5.6875 3.6722 3.3824 3.2123 13.3080 4.3595 5.9656 13.5374 3.4417
2nd Max
23.1177 57.2222 8.0000 31.5882 2.6889 5.0235 4.1588
8.1177 1.6889 2.3471 60.5882 8.9444 9.5294 5.0294 3.1667 2.4647 2.7534 12.6196 3.4417 5.9656 6.4245 1.8356
ND indicates no detection ^Detect is counted as any value above half method detection limit. * When a detected concentration is below one half of the method detection limit, then one half of the method detection level is used to calculate the average.
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Section: Appendix E
Appendix E: Monitoring Network Survey
(40 CFR 58, Appendix D)
Georgia Gaseous Criteria Pollutant Monitoring as of January 2010
Parameter Measured
Sampling Schedule
Number of GASN Sites
Method Used
EPA Reference
Method Data
Availability
Ozone
Nitrogen Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Continuous hourly average
Sulfur Dioxide
20
3
3
7
Ultraviolet photometry
Ultraviolet photometry
Ultraviolet photometry
Ultraviolet photometry
Non-dispersive Infrared
photometry
Non-dispersive Infrared
photometry
Ultraviolet fluorescence detector
Spectrophotometry (pararosaniline method)
U.S. EPA Air Quality System (AQS) (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/) and GA DNR/EPD Ambient Air Monitoring Program (http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp)
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Section: Appendix E
Georgia Ambient Air Particulate Matter Monitoring as of January 2010
Parameter Measured
PM10
Mass (integrated)
Mass (semicontinuous)
PM2.5
Mass (integrated)
Mass (semicontinuous)
Speciated
Sampling Schedule
Collection Method
Sampling Media
Every 6 days
Mass sequential, single channel
Teflon filter 46.2mm,
Continuous hourly averages
TEOM; BAM
Proprietary filter; filter tape
Varies; daily, every day,
every third day, or every sixth
day
FRM sampler
Teflon filter 46.2mm
Continuous hourly
averages
TEOM; BAM
Proprietary filter; filter
tape
1 in 6 days; 1 in 3 days for South DeKalb
Speciation air sampling system
(SASS)
Teflon, nylon & quartz filter
46.2mm
Number of
Sites
11
Analyzed
1
28
17
8
Number of
Collocated
2
0
Sites
Analysis Method
Method 016 Electronic analytical balance
Method 079; TEOM
gravimetric at 50 degrees C;
Method 122 Beta
Attenuation Monitor
5
0
0
Method 055 Electronic analytical balance
Method 703 R&P TEOM with SCC at 30 degrees
C; Beta Attenuation
Monitor
Method 055 Electronic analytical balance Method 014
x-ray fluorescence Method 062 filter preparation Method 064 Ion chromatography Method 065 Thermal/optical
carbon
Data Availability
U.S. EPA Air Quality System (AQS) (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/) and GA DNR/EPD Ambient Air Monitoring Program (http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp)
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Section: Appendix E
Georgia Organic Air Toxic Contaminant Monitoring as of January 2010
Parameter Volatile Organic Measured Compounds (VOCs)
Carbonyls
Semi - VOCs
Metals
Method
TO-15
TO-11A
TO 13A
10-2.I
Sampling Schedule
Collection Equipment
Sampling Media
Number of Sites
Analyzed Number of Collocated
Sites
Every 12 days, 24-hour;
1 in 6 day schedule for South DeKalb
AVOCS or ATEC2200
Polished stainless steel canister
6**
1
Every 12 days, 24-hour; 1 in 6 day schedule for South DeKalb
ATEC100 and or ATEC2200
DNPH-coated silica cartridges
and Polished stainless steel
canister
3
1
Every 12 days, 24hour; 1 in 6 day
schedule for South DeKalb
Every 12 days, 24hour;
1 in 6 day schedule for South
DeKalb*
PUF sampler
High volume TSP
Polyurethane Foam filter
Quartz micro-fiber filter 8 x 10 inch
6**
6**
1
1
Data Availability
U.S. EPA Air Quality System (AQS) (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/) and GA DNR/EPD Ambient Air Monitoring Program (http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp)
* Sampler at this site is a PM10 Hi-Vol ** 5 GA ATN sites, 1 NATTS (South DeKalb)
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PAMS Monitoring as of January 2010
Section: Appendix E
Parameter
Sampling Schedule
Collection Equipment Sampling
Media Number of
Sites
Analysis Method
Data Availability
56 PAMS-Speciated VOCs & Total NMHC
Continuous 56PAMS
Speciated VOCs & Total
NMHC
24-hour 1 in 6 day schedule (all year)
ATEC 2200
Continuous hourly average
(June-August)
Perkin-Elmer HC GC
Polished stainless steel canister
Direct injection
3
3
Carbonyl Compounds
3-hour sample (June-August); 24-hour, 1 in 6 day
(all year) ATEC 8000; PUF Sampler DNPH coated silica gel
Cartridge; Polyurethane Foam
1
PAMS GC/FID
GC/FID
High performance liquid chromatograph/ultraviolet
detector
U.S. EPA Air Quality System (AQS) (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/) and GA DNR/EPD Ambient Air Monitoring Program (http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp)
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Georgia Meteorological Monitoring as of January 2010
Section: Appendix E
Parameter Measured
Sampling Schedule
Wind Speed (m/s)
Wind Direction (degrees)
Ambient Temperature
(C)
Relative Humidity
(%)
Atmosphere Pressure (mb)
Continuous hourly average
Solar Radiation
(w/m2)
Precip (in)
Sig. Theta (deg)
Total Ultraviolet Radiation
Number of Sites
17
17
8
8
6
3
6
1
3
Method Used
Propeller or cup
anemometer
Wind vane potentiometer
Aspirated Thermocouple or thermistor
Thin film capacitor
Pressure transducer
Thermopile or Tipping Wind
UV
pyranometer bucket direction radiometer
Data Availability
U.S. EPA Air Quality System (AQS) (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/) and GA DNR/EPD Ambient Air Monitoring Program (http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/amp)
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Appendix F: Siting Criteria
(40 CFR 58, Appendix E)
Section: Appendix F
Instrument PM10, AISI Nephelo-
meter Dichot, TEOM, PM2.5
Lead, TSP
O3
CO
NO2
Height Above Ground
Micro Other
2-7m 2-15m
2-7m 2-15m
207m 2-15m
3-15m 3-15m
2.5 3.5m
3-5m
3-15m 3-15m
Space Between Samplers
2m 1m
2m
1m
Height Above Obstructions
1m
2 times height of obstacle
above inlet
1m
Distance From
Obstacles
2 times height or obstacle above inlet
2 times height or obstacles above inlet
2 times height of obstacles above inlet
2 times height of obstacles above inlet Micro: must be no trees between sampler and
road Others: must be 10m if trees, 5m above sampler
2 times height of obstacle above inlet
Distance From Tree
Dripline
Should be 20m, must be
10m if considered an
obstruction Should be 20m, must be
10m if considered an
obstruction Micro and middle: no trees between sampler and
source Neighborhood:
should be 20m, must be
10m if considered an
obstruction Should be 20m, must be
10m if considered an
obstruction
Micro: must be no trees between
sampler and road
Others: must be 10m if trees, 5m
above sampler
Should be 20m, if
individual tree 5m above probe, must
be 10m from dripline
Distance from Walls,
Parapets, etc. 2m 2m
2m
1m
1m
1m
Airflow Arc
270
270
270
270, or on side
of building
180
270, or on side
of building
180
270, or on side
of building
180
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Section: Appendix F
Instrument
Height Above Ground
Micro Other
SO2
3-15m 3-15m
H2S
3-15m 3-15m
CH4, THC, NMHC,
PAMS
3-15m 3-15m
Toxics: Gaseous 910, 910A, 929, 920
3-15m
3-15m
Temperature and Relative
Humidity
1.252m
2.252m
Wind Speed and
Direction
Solar Radiation
10m 1.5m
10m 1.5m
Space Between Samplers
Height Above Obstructions
1m
1m
1m
2m
Distance From
Obstacles
2 times height of obstacle above inlet
2 times height of obstacle above inlet
2 times height of obstacle above inlet
2 times height of obstacle above inlet 4 times height of obstacle
above sensor 1.5 times height of obstacle above sensor
Distance From Tree
Dripline
Should be 20m, must be
10m if considered an
obstruction Should be 20m, must be
10m if considered an
obstruction Should be 20m, must be
10m in direction of urban core
Distance from Walls,
Parapets, etc.
1m
1m
1m
1 tower width from tower side
2 tower widths from tower side, 1 tower width from tower top
4.5m
Airflow Arc
270, or on side
of building
180 270, or on side
of building
180 270, or on side
of building
180
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Section: Appendix G
Appendix G: Instrument and Sensor Control Limits
(from manuals)
CONTROL AND WARNING LIMITS
LIMITS
Control 15% 15% 10%
Warning 10% 10% 7%
4% (Flow) 5% (Design) 20%
None None None
INSTRUMENT
All gaseous criteria and non-criteria analyzers Total suspended particulate (TSP) samplers
PM10 Dichotomous (Dichot), Lead (Pb), Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalalance (TEOM), Toxic Air Contaminant (XonTech920) Samplers, Beta Attenuation Monitors (BAM),
and Carbonyl (XonTech9250) Samplers
PM2.5
Laboratory audits (Toxics, PAMS, Motor Vehicle Exhaust and Total Metals)
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR METEOROLOGICAL (MET) SENSORS
LIMITS
SENSOR
1.0 Celsius (0.5C PAMS only) 1mb~ _ 0.75mm Mercury (Hg) 5% RH for <10% or >90% RH 5% Watts/m2
Less than or equal to 5 combined accuracy and orientation error
Between 0.5 and 5m/s and less 0.2m/s 5% difference above 5 m/s Less than or equal to 0.5m/s
0.25 m/s between 0.5 and 5 m/s and less than 5% difference above 5 m/s Less than or equal to 0.5 m/s
Ambient Temperature Barometric Pressure
Relative Humidity Solar Radiation and Total UV Radiation
Wind Direction
Horizontal Wind Speed Horizontal Wind Speed Starting Threshold
Vertical Wind Speed Vertical wind Speed Starting Threshold
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Section: References
References
http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=static.aqi. "Air Quality Index (AQI) - A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health."
http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/ots/ U.S. EPA Region 4: Superfund. Technical Services-Risk Assessment and Hydrology.
http://www.epa.gov/air/emissions/ U.S. EPA. Air Emission Sources.
http://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/retrofit.htm U.S. EPA. Clean School Bus U.S.A.
http://www.georgiaair.org/retrofit/index.htm Georgia Retrofit Program. Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/GFCNews/CFI.cfm Georgia Forestry Commission.
AIRNOW DMC. 2009 Data Polling Summary. Poster presented at the National Air Quality Conference. Sonoma Technology, Petaluma, California.
ATSDR, 1992. Toxicological Profile for 1,3-Butadiene. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 1996. ToxFAQS for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 1997a. Toxicological Profile for Benzene. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 1997b. ToxFAQs for Tetrachloroethylene (PERC). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 1999. Toxicological Profile for Formaldehyde. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2000a. Toxicological Profile for Manganese. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2000b. Toxicological Profile for Chromium. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2001a. Toxicological Profile for 1,2-Dichloroethane. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2001b. ToxFAQS for Methylene Chloride. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2003. ToxFAQS for Trichloroetheylene (TCE). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2005a. Toxicological Profile for Carbon Tetrachloride. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Section: References
ATSDR, 2005b. Toxicological Profile for Arsenic, Draft For Public Comment. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2005d. ToxFAQS for Nickel. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2005e. Toxicological Profile for Naphthalene, 1-Methylnaphthalene, and 2-Methylnaphthalene. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2006a. ToxFAQS for 1,1,1-Trichloroethane. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2006b. Toxicological Profile for Dichlorobenzenes. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2007a. Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) Nitrite/Nitrate Toxicity. What Are Nitrate and Nitrite? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2007b. ToxFAQs for Xylene. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2007c. ToxFAQs for Acrolein. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR, 2009. ToxFAQS for 1,3-Butadiene. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of the Environment, Parts 50, 51, 53, and 58.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Georgia Ambient Monitoring Network Plan.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Georgia Ambient Air Monitoring Quality Assurance Manual, Quality Assurance Plan.
GADNR, 1993. Toxic Release Inventory Report, 1991. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division. Atlanta, Georgia.
GADNR, 1996a. The 1994 Chatham County Air Toxics Study, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division. Atlanta, Georgia.
GADNR, 1996b. 1996 Glynn county Initiative: Air Toxics Dataset Ground Level Measurements, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division. Atlanta, Georgia.
GADNR, 2006. 2005 Ambient Air Surveillance Report. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division. Atlanta, Georgia.
McCarthy, M. C., Hafner, H. R., & Montzka, S. A. (2006). Background Concentrations of 18 Air Toxics for North America. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 56, 3-11.
U.S. EPA, 1987. Health Assessment Document for Acetaldehyde. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
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Section: References
U.S. EPA, 1991a. Integrated Risk Information System, Carbon Tetrachloride. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
U.S. EPA, 1991b. Integrated Risk Information System, Acetaldehyde. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
U.S. EPA, 1994a. OPPT Chemical Fact Sheet, Chemicals in the environment: 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (CAS No. 95-63-6). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
U.S. EPA, 1994b. Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement System. Volume 1: Principles. EPA-600/R-94/038A, January 1994.
U.S. EPA, 1998. Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement System. Volume 1: Principles. EPA-600/R-94/038B, April 1998.
U.S. EPA, 2000. Integrated Risk Information System, Benzene. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
U.S. EPA, 2002. Integrated Risk Information System, 1,3-Butadiene. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
U.S. EPA, 2003. Integrated Risk Information System, Acrolein. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
U.S. EPA, 2004a. Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
U.S. EPA, 2004b. Provisional Peer Reviewed Toxicity Value Database. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV, Atlanta, Georgia.
U.S. EPA, 2006. A Preliminary Risk-Based Screening Approach for Air Toxics Monitoring Data Sets. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
U.S. EPA, 2007. Latest Findings on National Air Quality: Status and Trends through 2006, No. EPA454/R-07-007. Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards EPA Publication Air Quality Assessment Division Research Triangle Park, NC.
U.S. EPA, 2008. National Air Quality-Status and Trends through 2007, No. EPA-454/R-08-006. Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards EPA Publication Air Quality Assessment Division Research Triangle Park, NC.
U.S. EPA, 2008b. Toxicologial Review of Propionaldehyde (CAS No. 123-38-6), In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
U.S. EPA, 2009. Air Toxics Data Analysis Workbook, STI:908304.03-3224. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Research Triangle Park, NC.
U.S. EPA, 2010. Our Nations Air Quality-Status and Trends through 2008, No. EPA-454/R-09-002. Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards EPA Publication Air Quality Assessment Division Research Triangle Park, NC.
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Section: References
U.S. EPA, 2010. "Table 1. Prioritized Chronic Dose-Response Values for Screening Risk Assessments (4/27/2010)". http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/toxsource/summary.html Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards EPA Publication Air Quality Assessment Division Research Triangle Park, NC.
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