PM₁₀ Air Sampling

In 1987, the EPA began using a standard (40 CFR 50.6) for concentrations of airborne particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM₁₀).  Particles of this size can reach the lungs and are considered to be responsible for most of the adverse health effects associated with airborne particulate pollution. 

ESER Program personnel operate three PM₁₀ samplers, one at Rexburg CMS, one at Blackfoot CMS, and one at Atomic City.  A sample is collected for a period of 24 hours, once every six days.  This interval yields 15 samples per location, per quarter.  However, due to equipment failures several samples were not acceptable due to their run times not falling within the required sample interval guidelines (24 hours ±1 hour).  These included:  three samples from the Blackfoot CMS location (January 24, February 11 and February 17), three samples from the Rexburg CMS location (January 6, January 24 and March 7) and two samples from the Atomic City location (February 11 and February 17). 

The air quality standards for PM₁₀, are an annual average of 50 µg/m³, with a maximum 24-hour concentration of 150 µg/m³.  PM₁₀ concentrations for the first quarter of 2001 were well below all air quality standard levels.  The maximum 24-hour concentration was 58.6 µg/m³ on March 1, at Rexburg CMS.  Results for all PM₁₀ samples are listed in Table C-5, Appendix C. 

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