Introduction

Particulate matter referring to tiny particles of solid or semi-solid material that suspended
in the air, where it is ranging in size across many order of magnitude. (Pfeiffer, R. L., 2005)
The aim of this experiment is to monitor the particulate matter in 10µm (PM10) and lower.
There is a variety of monitoring methods available for the measurement of mass concentrations
of PM in ambient air. These include both direct reading instruments, which provide continuous
measurements of particle concentrations, and filter-based gravimetric samplers that collect the
particulate material onto a filter, which must then be weighed subsequently in a laboratory.
(Pilot Testing, 2015)

Generally, PM10 particulate are emitted from source, for examples are vehicle and
material handling. Other than that, usually due to sand and dirt blown by winds from a variety
of sites and usually contain large amounts of silica. (Aggregates for Concrete, 2017) A PM10
weighted-filter of 25.5cm × 20.5cm set into the high volume sampler. Air is drawn through a
size-selective inlet and through some sort of filter media. Particulates with aerodynamic
diameters less than the cut-point of the inlet are collected on the filter media. (Pfeiffer, R. L.,
2005) The mass of these particulates is determined by the difference in filter weight before and
after sampling. The concentration of the suspended particulate matter in the designated size
range is calculated by dividing the weight gain of the filter by the volume of the air sampled.

Total Air Volume (m3) : Flow Rate × Total Sample Time (Eq. 1)

Particulate Concentration (µg/m3) : Net Particulate Weight / Total Air Volume (Eq. 2)

As the particulates inhaled into by human, it may contain toxicity due to synergistic effect.
In this exepriment, the lead captured by the filter paper also analysed using Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy (AAS).

Amount of Pb in exposed area :

Amount of Pb in sub-sampling × Area collected for Pb Analysis (Eq. 3)

Amount of Pb in 24 hour : Amount of Pb in exposed area × Total Air Volume (Eq. 4)

Objective

1) To measure Particulate Matter in the 2.5 to 10 µm size range (PM10).

2) To analysis of Metallic Air Pollutants (such as Lead) contain in surrounding area.

Procedure:

The filter paper was first prepared by measuring and cutting it to the size of 20.5cm x
25.5cm and placed in a sealed plastic bag to prevent other particle contaminations. The filter
paper was then weighted to get its initial weight using analytical balance. The High-Volume
Sampler was placed outside of the laboratory. The facelift wing nuts and faceplate were
loosened and removed. The filter paper was then removed from plastic bag and placed onto the
center of the support screen. The rough side of the filter was placed upwards. The facelift wing
nuts and faceplate were placed back and tightened. The Dickson Chart was then placed to
estimate and indicated the air flow during sampling. The High-Volume Sampler was then
turned on and started sampling. After 24 hours, the sampling was completed then the sampler
was turned off. The filter paper was taken and placed back into the plastic bag. The filter paper
was weighted again to get its final weight. The PM10 concentration was calculated. The filter
was then cut to the size of 6.6cm in diameter. The filter paper was placed in a beaker and
digested with 50ml of HCl for 30 minutes at 150oC. The beaker was coved with a lid to avoid
solution loss and other contaminants. The solution was then transferred into a volumetric flask.
10 drops of HNO3 was added into the volumetric flask and distilled water was added to make
up until the marker. The solution was then analyzed using the atomic absorption spectroscopy
(AAS) which was mainly done by a trained technician.
Result:

HIGH VOLUME / PM10 DATA RECORD

Site / Station : Lab 17

Sample Date : 12/2

Collection Date : 13/2

Time : 24 Hours

Initial Filter Weight : 4.31g

Gross Filter Weight : 4.33g

Net Particulate Weight (A) : 0.02g

Flow Rate (Using air flow : 40 ft3/min

meter)
Running Time Meter (Initial) : 9.20 am

(Final) : 9.20 am

Total Sample Time : 1720 – 280 = 1440min = 24 hours

Total Air Volume : (40 X 1440) X 0.028 = 1612.8 m3

Particulate Concentration : A g / 1612.8 m3 = 6.20µg/m3

Exposed Area : 20.5 X 27 = 553.5 cm2

Plumbum test using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS):

Sample Mean SD RSD Replicates Replicates Replicates

(%)
Blank 0.319 0.0017 0.5 0.321 0.317 0.319
Autozero Performed
Standard 0.107 0.0028 2.7 0.104 0.110 0.106
1
Standard 1 Applied
Standard 0.137 0.0007 0.5 0.138 0.137 0.136
2
Standard 2 Applied
Standard 0.166 0.0013 0.8 0.166 0.168 0.165
3
Standard 3 Applied
Corr. Coef.: 0.831939 Slope: 0.06567 Intercept: 0.0000
Sample 0.027 0.0178 66.7 0.047 0.014 0.020
001
Table 1: The Result obtained from Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

Figure 1: The Graph Obtained from Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer test

Discussion:

The objectives of these experiment are to measure particulate matter in the 0 to 10

µm size range (PM10) and Analysis of Metallic Air Pollutants such as Lead. Thermo Anderson
with high volume sampler (PM10) is the equipment or device that been used to measure the
quality of the air and the content in the air such lead and any heavy metal that will decreasing
the health of the human and other living things. These equipment abbreviation to particulate
matter that with diameter equal to or less than 10 micrometer. The PM10 sampler is supported
by a protective shelter ensuring that the surface of the filter rest in the horizontal position. This
aerodynamic design allows for the collection of particulate at 10 micrometer or less.

The flow controlled principle, when applied to a high volume air sampler, when
applied to a high volume air sampler, incorporates with a small-wall of venturi orifice that
gradually open to a recovery section. The vacuum, which is provided by a motor downstream
of the venturi, is capable of recovering over 95% of the energy lost in the energy in differential
pressures across the restricting orifice as compared to other high volume air samplers. The
critical flow achieved once the air velocity of the flow stream is equal to the acoustic velocity
or speed of sound. The condition of the venturi, including the flow rate, are determined by
upstream conditions provided by the downstream changes the remain minimal. This condition,
of downstream restriction thus accelerating the air flow through the venturi, is distinctive
characteristic known as choking.

The result obtained for the blank solution mean is about 0.319 and for standard lead1,
2 and 3 are 0.107, 0.137, and 0.166. the sample lead obtained is about 0.027. From the result,
we have obtain the amount of lead which is not very healthy environment. These due to the
environment that we placed the PM10 which around lab 17 at unikl micet. the place around the
lab must not content such a high amount of the lead but this must be due to the velocity of the
air during the experiment. The air on the experiment day that recorded by the Dickson chart is
quite high around 40 CFM. It is quite high velocity of the air due to north east monsoon effect
the process of trapping the particulate matter in the filter paper. Furthermore, the data obtained
influenced by the material that have been used from lab 17 and other lab which consist of many
hazardous chemical such as kaolin powder and attar powder and etc. As result there are small
quantity of the lead have been trap.