Difficulties with Industrial Stack Testing and Considerations for Filterable PM2.5 and Condensable PM Testing

Presented by Zach Emerson, National Council for Air and Stream Improvement
Contact Information: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Industrial stack testing differs from other environmental sample collection in several key ways. This presentation will give an overview of the inherent difficulties in stack testing and how they impact measurements of very low trace pollutants. Specific examples will include the implementation of EPA Method 201a for filterable PM2.5 and Method 202 for condensable particulate at a natural gas package boiler stack; at this source, blank contamination from reagents and the environment can make up a significant portion of the method response. The presentation will also discuss the development of best practices for M201a and M202 so that low level emissions may be better measured.