NARSTO Measurement Methods Compendium Annotated Method Description Outline and Definitions

Method Description Outline

The descriptions of measurement methods in this Compendium include the following types of information in an outline form.

1. Species - The analyte whose concentration is to be determined.

   1. Method - An analytical technique used to measure the concentration of the species.
      1. Basis - The basic chemical and/or the physical principles on which the method is founded.
      2. Range - The typical span of species concentration that is measured by instruments employing the method.  Note that many of the instruments discussed in the text may exceed this range by varying levels.
      3. Minimum Detection Level - The lowest concentration of a species that an instrument employing the method can distinguish from the background noise.
      4. Operating Temperature - The typical temperature span in which an instrument employing the method can effectively measure the concentration of the species. Note that some instruments exceed this range to varying levels.
      5. Known Interference - Any factor (e.g., chemical species in the sample, physical conditions such as a power outage) that could introduce error and/or bias toward the measured concentration of the species using the method.
      6. Notes of Interest - Any additional information that would be useful when employing the method or that gives more insight into the method.
      7. Instrument - Manufacturer - The names of instruments and the manufacturers of the instruments. A web link is included, if it is available, at the end of this category to provide access to more information about the instruments and their manufacturers.
      8. References- The literary sources of the information given for each method.

Terms

The following terms are used in the descriptions of measurement methods.

• Federal Reference Method (FRM) - An instrument that employs a method specified in Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50 (40 CFR Part 50).  Appendices for measuring a certain species and meets the requirements specified in Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 53 (40 CFR Part 53), subchapter B.
• Federal Equivalence Method (FEM) - An instrument that employs a method other than the Federal Reference Method but meets the requirements for measuring a species specified in 40 CFR Part 53, subchapter B.
• N/A - Information is not available at present.

Links to Relevant Documents

• 40 CFR Part 50 - National primary ambient air quality standards and designation of FRMs
  • Appendix A - Sulfur Dioxide
  • Appendix C - Carbon Dioxide
  • Appendix D - Ozone
  • Appendix E - Nonmethane Hydrocarbons
  • Appendix F - Nitrogen Dioxide
• 40 CFR Part 53 - Requirements for FEMs

See also the Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center's home page at http://www.epa.gov/ttnamti1.