Air Quality Monitoring

REC owns and hires out state of the art air-conditioned, ambient air quality monitoring stations. They are equipped with rack-mounted analysers and sophisticated data logging equipment, including GSM modem links to allow remote data retrieval, calibration and system performance checks.

These air quality  monitoring stations also record meteorological information such as, wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, atmospheric pressure, temperature, relative humidity, rainfall etc. This information is used in the modelling and interpretation of the data. Data recorded as 15-minute averages on a continuous basis can then be converted to the client’s requirements e.g. 24 hour averages.

REC’s staff have gained particular experience in the following areas of emission and ambient air quality monitoring and modelling: the mineral Industry, municipal Incinerators, thermal oxidisers, crematoria, metals processing industry, boiler monitoring, turbines, MDF manufacture, coating processes, coating in vehicle manufacture, chemical and petrochemical processes.

Our air quality  monitoring stations can measure concentrations of the following pollutants:

• PM10, using R & P TEOM instruments, measuring down to an LOD of 0.01µg/m3.
   

• Oxides of nitrogen and nitrogen dioxide, using chemiluminescence analysers capable of measuring to an LOD of 1 ppb.
   

• Methane and total hydrocarbons, using FIDs capable of measuring to an LOD of 30 ppb.
   

• Sulphur dioxide using UV/fluorescence analysers, capable of measuring to an LOD of 1 ppb.
   

• Hydrogen Sulphide analyser, utilising catalytic conversion to SO2, measuring to an LOD of 1 ppb.
   

• Carbon monoxide using GFC-IR analyser capable of measuring down to an LOD of 20 ppb.
   

• Ozone by U/V analyser measuring down to an LOD of 1 ppb.

Non-Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring

A range of non-continuous techniques augment REC’s continuous air monitoring capabilities, these include:

• High Volume PUF samplers to US EPA TO9 to determine dioxins & furans, PCBs and PAHs.
   

• Acid gases: HCl, HF, SO2, NO2.
   

• Collection of odour bag samples for subsequent olfactometric assessment.

Air Quality  Monitoring Project Summaries

Ambient Air Quality  Monitoring around Landfill Sites, DEFRA/DoH

Continuous monitoring of methane and total hydrocarbons, PM10, NOx, NO2 SO2, H2S and periodic monitoring for dioxins and furans, PCBs, PAHs, dust deposition rates, 1,3 butadiene, formaldehyde, speciated VOCs and bioaerosols over a 2-year period from various landfill sites in the UK.  Site work and data was audited over the period of the contract by Environment Agency staff.

Dust and Asbestos, Northwich

Asbestos monitoring, dust and heavy metal concentrations, on a daily basis, at up to 12 fixed boundary and mobile locations throughout the six month contract period. Results of the dust and asbestos sampling were reported within 24 hours of sample collection enabling any health and safety implications to be rapidly addressed.

PCBs in Ambient Air

PCBs in air at Chester Light Maintenance Depot using PUF adsorbent cartridges at various site locations and assessing potential health and safety impact on workers operating in the area.

Dioxin/Furan Concentrations, Bonfire Weekend, Lewes DC

To assess ambient concentrations of dioxins and furans produced from uncontrolled fire over bonfire weekend REC undertook air monitoring prior to a large scale fireworks display bonfire in Lewes. Sampling was also carried out prior to and after the display to observe normal background levels.

For further details see >  Odour Monitoring Project Summaries