Development and evaluation of new protocols for the study of the effects of particles in the atmosphere

Particles in the atmosphere have been shown to cause adverse effects on both human health and visibility. The effort to correctly measure particles in the atmosphere in order to properly assess their impact on visibility and human health is the focal point of this dissertation. This dissertation includes four separate projects that all focus on developing new or novel methods of atmospheric sampling.; Chapter One was an indoor sampling project, in which the focus was to identify the possible causes of the reported illness that existed in only one room located in a large building. A briefcase automated sampling system was used to sample in a one week study. Measurements were collected for concentrations of particulate phase mass, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium ion and acidity using diffusion denuder sampling techniques. The corresponding concentrations of gas phase sulfur dioxide, nitric acid, and nitrous acid were also determined from the denuder sampling. Concentrations of nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and formaldehyde were determined using Drager absorption tubes. The concentration of total volatile organic material was determined using charcoal as a sorbent. The temperature and humidity were also monitored. The sick room and three other locations were sampled. The symptoms experienced by the personnel in the study area appear to be associated with elevated temperature and humidity in the area and a build up of oxidants and nitrogen oxides during the night.; Chapter Two focuses on the development of a system capable of delivering sulfur dioxide in very small quantities over a long period of time, simultaneously, to several instruments. A study was conducted at Brigham Young University, with participants from Desert Research Institute, Research Triangle Institute, University of California at Davis, and a private engineering and consulting firm, ENSR, to oversee the work. The study concluded that the SO₂ delivery system was ready for use in field experiments.; Chapter Three investigates the changes in soot associated with aging in the atmosphere. Samples were collected in duplicate at four locations using a filter pack with Teflon and quartz filters. A thermal volatilization technique was used to evaluate any chemical changes in the soot. Integrated plate B _abs measurements were obtained to determine if any absorptive changes occurred. The analysis results were compared after sample collection, after being exposed to ozone and after being exposed to ozone and UV light simultaneously.; Chapter Four is the development of a foam denuder for use in a personal monitoring system. The foam is used to remove gas phase organic material in the sample stream while allowing free passage of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in size. Particles are measured on a quartz filter. Following the quartz filter is a carbon impregnated, glass fiber filter intended to trap any gas phase organic material lost from the particles during sampling. The denuder is evaluated for its efficiency, both in transmitting particles and removing gas phase organic compounds.