RJLG has formed a consortium with Washington State University’s Laboratory for Atmospheric Research.  The consortium has experience with the sampling of airborne toxic species in gas and particulate phases. This includes 1) metals incorporated in total suspended particulate matter (TSP), PM10 and PM2.5; 2) volatile organic compounds (VOC); and 3) oxygenated VOCs such as aldehydes and ketones. Sampling programs at various sites have included the collection of VOC, carbonyl, and PM samples for determination of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Samples are returned to our labs in Pasco and Pullman for analysis. Table 1 lists the U.S. EPA “core” toxics that are measured in the studies. The concentrations of many more HAPs can be determined in such samples if necessary. For example, we collected and analyzed samples for semi-volatile organic compounds (PAHs) at three Seattle area sites during 2002.

Our laboratories are equipped with instrumentation needed to provide analytical results based on approved U.S. EPA methods. We follow Compendium Methods for VOC analyses.  This involves gas chromatographic separation of the individual VOCs and detection by a combination of flame ionization, electron capture and mass selective detectors. The carbonyls are eluted from adsorbent cartridges and concentrations are determined using high performance liquid chromatography as outlined in Compendium Method TO-11A.  Metals are extracted from particulate matter and subjected to inductively couple plasma mass spectrometric analysis (Compendium Method IO-3.5).  Once the toxic data have been tabulated and quality assured, we help with interpretation of the resulting data set. This has included examination of spatial and temporal behavior, as well as, using dispersion models for reconciling the ambient data with emission inventories.