LaMotte Air Pollution Sampling & Measurement - Manual (Page 5)

Some of the reagents require special handling as they are capable of
causing skin irritations. No chemical reagent should be taken internally,
but if accidentally ingested, heed the antidote label on the bottle and
contact a physician immediately. Reagents which are marked poison
should be treated as such. Careful handling of all chemicals is a
necessary part of chemical testing. Follow all instructions as outlined in
the individual directions for each test.
ESTABLISHING A SAMPLING SITE
To establish a meaningful air pollution monitoring program, one must
take a complete survey of the area and prepare a sampling map to
select a sampling site. Consider which sources might be responsible for
contributing to air pollution. Where are these sources? Determine
whether pollution control devices are being used and whether these
devices are operating correctly. Heavy industrial areas contribute
significantly to the total pollution in an area. Determine what tests should
be used to accurately monitor industrial emission.
When recording data on sampling, take into account meteorological
data such as the prevailing winds, temperature inversions, rainfall and
other factors which affect the dispersion of air pollutants. Try to set up a
remote sheltered location away from the normal air pollution sources or
a control for comparison purposes.
Another significant source of air pollution is the automobile. To
familiarize you with how each car contributes to air pollution, check the
emissions from a single car. Compare new cars with emission control
devices to older cars with limited or no emission control devices.
Determine what major pollutants are emitted from the exhausts of other
internal combustion engines, e.g. lawn mowers. The exhausts from
internal combustion engines are poisonous. Never work in confined
areas without adequate ventilation. Work with proper supervision.
Locate the traffic laden roads of your community during rush hour.
Compare the amount of pollution with the number of cars at different
times. Compare results of tests to data compiled during non-rush hour
traffic conditions. How may these pollutants be dispersed by
meteorological conditions?
For classroom studies and to familiarize students with the chemical
procedures it may be necessary to demonstrate the basic principles of
collecting and measuring air pollution factors. Certain gaseous
pollutants such as ammonia, chlorine, and total oxidants are easily
demonstrated because of the simple chemical procedure involved and
also because these gases are readily available as household or standard
laboratory supplies — ammonia cleaners, bleach, hydrogen peroxide,
etc.
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