Wind Tunnel Evaluation of PM10 Samplers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has promulgated new national ambient air quality standards for PM 10 (particles smaller than 10 μm aerodynamic diameter). Samplers used to collect PM 10 must be subjected to wind tunnel tests before they can be approved as part of a designated reference or equivalent method. Monodisperse liquid and solid particles are used over a range of particle sizes and windspeeds to characterize the sampling effectiveness and 50 percent cutpoint of candidate samplers. This paper describes an EPA wind tunnel test facility, sampler test procedures, and the results of selected sampler tests with liquid and solid test particles. The agreement between wind tunnel results and observations from field measurements of ambient particulate matter is also discussed. 1 The information contained in this article does not necessarily reflect Environmental Protection Agency policy. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.