2.         AIR QUALITY

 

Monitoring Requirements

 

2.1              1-hour and 24-hour TSP levels at two designated monitoring stations were monitored in the month in accordance with the EM&A Manual. Appendix C [INCLUDE TSP ACTION & LIMIT LEVELS IN APPENDIX B] shows the established Action and Limit Levels for the environmental monitoring works.

 

2.2              The monitoring schedule for the month is shown in Appendix D. [INCLUDE TSP MONITORING SCHEDULE IN APPENDIX C] Air quality monitoring stations for 24-hour and 1-hour TSP measurements are shown in Figure 2.1.

 

Monitoring Equipment

 

2.3              Portable dust meter was used to carry out 1-hour TSP monitoring. High volume sampler (HVS - Model GMWS-2310 Accu-Vol) completed with the appropriate sampling inlets was installed for 24-hour TSP sampling. The HVS meet all the requirements as specified in the updated EM&A Manual. Table 2.1 summarised the equipment that were used in the dust-monitoring programme.

 [INCLUDE CALIBRATION RECORD SUMMARY IN APPENDIX D]

Table 2.1      Air Quality Monitoring Equipment

 

Equipment

Model

Dust Meter (for 1-hour TSP measurement

Laser Dust Monitor – Model LD-3

HVS (for 24-hour TSP measurement)

GMWS 2310 Accy-Vol system

Calibration Kit (for HVS)

GMW 25

 

Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration

 

2.3               Table 2.2 summarised the monitoring parameters, frequency and duration of impact air quality monitoring.

 

Table 2.2      Air Quality Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration

 

Parameter

Duration

Frequency

1-hour TSP

1 hour

3 times every six days

24-hour TSP

24 hours

Once every six days

 

Monitoring Locations

 

2.4               In accordance with the EM&A Manual, two air quality monitoring stations, as shown in Figure 2.1 were selected for 24-hour and 1-hour TSP sampling. Table 2.3 describes the location of the air quality monitoring stations.

 

Table 2.3      Locations of Air Quality Monitoring Stations

 

Monitoring Station

Identity / Description

AM1

Correctional Services Department Married Staff Quarters

AM2

Temple

 

 

 

 

Monitoring Methodology

1-hour TSP Monitoring

Monitoring Procedure

 

2.5               The measuring procedures of 1-hour TSP by a portable dust meter are in accordance with the Manufacturer’s Instruction Manual as follows:

·         Set POWER to “ON”, push BATTERY button, make sure that the meter’s indicator is in the range with a red line and allow the instrument to stand for about 3 minutes (Then, the air sampling inlet has been capped).

·         Push the knob at MEASURE position.

·         Push “O-ADJ” button. (Then meter’s indication is 0).

·         Push the knob at SENSI ADJ position and set the meter’s indication to S value described on the Test Report using the trimmer for SENSI ADJ.

·         Pull out the knob and return it to MEASURE position.

·         Push “START” button.

Maintenance and Calibration

 

·         The 1-hour TSP dust meters are verified at 1-year intervals throughout all stages of the impact air quality monitoring.

·         Calibration details for the dust meters are provided in Appendix E.

24-hour TSP Monitoring

Installation

 

2.6               The HVSs were installed in the vicinity of the air sensitive receivers. The following criteria were considered in the installation of the HVSs:

 

·         A horizontal platform with appropriate support to secure the samplers against gusty wind was provided.

·         The distance between the HVS and any obstacles, such as buildings, was at least twice the height that the obstacle protrudes above the HVS.

·         A minimum of 2 meters separation from walls, parapets and penthouses was provided for rooftop sampler.

·         No furnace or incinerator flues were nearby.

·         Airflow around the sampler was unrestricted.

·         Permission was obtained to set up the sampler and to obtain access to the monitoring stations.

·         A secure supply of electricity was obtained to operate the sampler.

Preparation of Filter papers

 

·         Glass fibre filters, G810 were labelled and sufficient filters that were clean and without pinholes were selected.

·         All filters were equilibrated in the conditioning environment for 24 hours before weighing.  The conditioning environment temperature was around 25 °C and not variable by more than ±3 °C; the relative humidity (RH) was < 50% and not variable by more than ±5%.  A convenient working RH was 40%.

·         ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. is a HOKLAS accredited laboratory which has comprehensive quality assurance and quality control programmes.

Monitoring Procedures

 

·         The power supply was checked to ensure the HVSs work properly.

·         The filter holder and the area surrounding the filter were cleaned.

·         The filter holder was removed by loosening the four bolts and a new filter, with stamped number upward, on a supporting screen was aligned carefully.

·         The filter was properly aligned on the screen so that the gasket formed an airtight seal on the outer edges of the filter.

·         The swing bolts were fastened to hold the filter holder down to the frame.  The pressure applied should be sufficient to avoid air leakage at the edges.

·         Then the shelter lid was closed and secured with the aluminum strip.

·         The HVSs were warmed-up for about 5 minutes to establish run-temperature conditions.

·         A new flowrate record sheet was set into the flow recorder.

·         The flow rate of the HVS was checked and adjusted at around 1.1 m3/min.  The range was between 0.6-1.7 m3/min.

·         The programmable timer was set for a sampling period of 24 hrs + 1 hr, and the starting time, weather condition and the filter number were recorded.

·         The initial elapsed time was recorded.

·         At the end of sampling, the sampled filter was removed carefully and folded in half length so that only surfaces with collected particulate matter were in contact.

·         It was then be placed in a clean plastic envelope and sealed.

·         All monitoring information was recorded on a standard data sheet.

·         Filters were sent to ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. for analysis.

Maintenance and Calibration

 

·         The HVSs and their accessories were maintained in good working condition, such as replacing motor brushes routinely and checking electrical wiring to ensure a continuous power supply.

·         HVSs are calibrated at bi-monthly intervals using GMW-25 Calibration Kit throughout all stages of the impact air quality monitoring.

·         Calibration details for the HVSs are provided in Appendix E.

 

Results and Observations

 

2.7               Dust monitoring was conducted for both 1-hr TSP and 24-hr TSP at all designated monitoring stations in the month. Air quality monitoring results and graphical presentations are provided in Appendix F. [INCLUDE DATA TABLES FOR THE REPORTING MONTH & THREE-MONTH GRAPHS IN APPENDIX E]

 

1-hour TSP Monitoring

 

2.8               All measured 1-hour TSP levels complied with the Action and Limit Levels in the month. [REPORT ANY 1-HR TSP EXCEEDANCES AS APPROPRIATE] A summary of 1-hour TSP monitoring results is presented in Table 2.4.

 

Table 2.4      Summary of Impact 1-hour TSP Monitoring Results

 

Monitoring Station

1-hour TSP (mg/m3)

Action Level

(mg/m3)

Limit Level

(mg/m3)

No. of Exceedance

Range

Action

Limit

AM1

78.5 – 143.1

311.2

500.0

Nil

Nil

AM2

88.1 – 136.5

368.6

500.0

Nil

Nil

[INPUT ALL NECESSARY DATA]

 [IF 1-HR TSP EXCEEDANCE RECORDED, DESCRIBE REASONS FOR EXCEEDANCES EVENTS]

 

24-hour TSP Monitoring

 

2.9               All measured 24-hour TSP levels complied with the Action and Limit Levels in the month.[REPORT ANY 24-HR TSP EXCEEDANCES AS APPROPRIATE] A summary of 24-hour TSP monitoring results is presented in Table 2.5.

 

Table 2.5      Summary of Impact 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results

 

Monitoring Station

24-hour TSP (mg/m3)

Action Level

(mg/m3)

Limit Level

(mg/m3)

No. of Exceedance

Range

Action

Limit

AM1

25.9 – 124.7

177.4

260.0

Nil

Nil

AM2

34.3 – 174.3

205.0

260.0

Nil

Nil