Perimeter Air Quality Monitoring

Beacon is leading the industry in the development and analysis of passive sampling techniques using adsorbents and is the first laboratory to receive accreditation for EPA Method 325, which is the analytical method required by the EPA to target emissions of benzene around the perimeter of petroleum refineries.

In addition, Beacon routinely analyzes passive samples collected during remediation activities to monitor for emissions of VOCs migrating beyond the property boundary.  The ability to collect samples over days instead of daily reduces the overall cost to monitor air quality during remediation activities.

Sampling air with passive samplers provides quality, accurate data and is less expensive than using Summa canisters because of the fewer samples that need to be collected and the reduced labor costs.

Passive sorbent samplers are typically placed at multiple stations around the perimeter of the site or facility.  Passive samplers are deployed when there is an onsite exceedance identified with field meters or on a regular frequency for ongoing monitoring. As an example, following each sampling event, the set of sorbent tubes are retrieved, capped, and shipped to Beacon for analysis while another set of sorbent tubes are placed at each station. This process allows for on-going monitoring of emissions from the facility.  Additional data are collected including meteorological information from local weather stations.  The samples are thermally desorbed and analyzed using gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) instruments to provide low detection limits with high quality and defensible data reported in ug/m³ and/or ppbv.

The use of sorbent samplers provides the following benefits:

• Time-weighted average measurements
• Low detection limits
• Highly accurate and precise
• Collect samples over multiple days or weeks
• Easy-to-use
• No pumps required
• Low profile
• Works in high moisture conditions

The following publications are available to describe requirements for sampling and procedures for collecting and analyzing sorbent tubes.

40 CFR Parts 60 and 63; Petroleum Refinery Sector Risk and Technology Review and New Source Performance Standards

ISO 16017-2:2003
Indoor, ambient and workplace air – Sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds by sorbent tube/thermal desorption/capillary gas chromatography – Part 2: Diffusive sampling