3               Air Quality monitoring

Monitoring Requirements

3.1         In accordance with the EM&A Manual, impact 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP monitoring were conducted to monitor the air quality for the Contract. Appendix B shows the established Action/Limit Levels for the air quality monitoring works. 

 

3.2         Impact 1-hour TSP monitoring was conducted for at least three times every 6 days, while impact 24-hour TSP monitoring was conducted for at least once every 6 days at 2 air quality monitoring stations.

Monitoring Location

3.3         Impact air quality monitoring was conducted at the 2 monitoring stations under the Contract, as shown in Figure 3.  Table 3.1 describes the locations of the air quality monitoring stations.

 

Table 3.1           Location for Air Quality Monitoring Locations

Monitoring Stations

Location

AMS1

Sha Lo Wan

AMS4

San Tau

Monitoring Equipment

3.4         Table 3.2 summarizes the equipment used in the impact air monitoring programme. Copies of calibration certificates are attached in Appendix C.

 

Table 3.2           Air Quality Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Model and Make

Quantity

HVS Sampler

TISCH Model: TE-5170

2

Calibrator

TISCH Model: TE-5025A

2

Wind Anemometer

DAVIS Model: Vantage PRO2 6152CUK

1

 

Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration

 

3.5         Table 3.3 summarizes the monitoring parameters and frequencies of impact dust monitoring during the course of the Contract activities.  The air quality monitoring schedule for the reporting month is shown in Appendix D. 

 

Table 3.3                      Impact Dust Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration

Parameters

Frequency

1-hr TSP

Three times / 6 days

24-hr TSP

Once / 6 days

 


Monitoring Methodology and QA/QC Procedure

 

1-hour and 24-hour TSP Air Quality Monitoring

Instrumentation

3.6         High Volume Samplers (HVS) completed with appropriate sampling inlets were employed for air quality monitoring.  Each sampler was composed of a motor, a filter holder, a flow controller and a sampling inlet and its performance specification complies with that required by USEPA Standard Title 40, Code of Federation Regulations Chapter 1 (Part 50).

 

HVS Installation

3.7         The following guidelines were adopted during the installation of HVS:

 

·      Sufficient support was provided to secure the sampler against gusty wind.

·      No two samplers were placed less than 2 meters apart.

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

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

·      A minimum of 2 meters separation from any supporting structure, measured horizontally was required.

·      No furnaces or incineration flues were nearby.

·      Airflow around the sampler was unrestricted.

·      The samplers were more than 20 meters from the drip line.

·      Any wire fence and gate, to protect the sampler, should not cause any obstruction during monitoring.

·      Permission must be obtained to set up the samples and to obtain access to the monitoring stations; and

·      A secured supply of electricity is needed to operate the samplers.

 

Filters Preparation

3.8         Filter paper of size 8” X 10” was used.  A HOKLAS accredited laboratory, ETS – Testconsult Limited (ETS), was responsible for the preparation of 24-hr conditioned and pre-weighed filter papers for Cinotech’s monitoring team. 

 

3.9         All filters, which were prepared by ETS, 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%.

 

3.10     ETS has comprehensive quality assurance and quality control programmes.

 

Operating/Analytical Procedures

3.11     Operating/analytical procedures for the air quality monitoring were highlighted as follows:

 

·      Prior to the commencement of the dust sampling, the flow rate of the HVS was properly set (between 1.1 m3/min. and 1.4 m3/min.) in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction to within the range recommended in USEPA Standard Title 40, CFR Part 50.

·      The power supply was checked to ensure the sampler worked properly.

·      On sampling, the sampler was operated for 5 minutes to establish thermal equilibrium before placing any filter media at the designated air quality monitoring station.

·      The filter holding frame was then removed by loosening the four nuts and carefully a weighted and conditioned filter was centered with the stamped number upwards, on a supporting screen.

·      The filter was aligned on the screen so that the gasket formed an airtight seal on the outer edges of the filter.  Then the filter holding frame was tightened to the filter holder with swing bolts.  The applied pressure should be sufficient to avoid air leakage at the edges.

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

·      The timer was then programmed.  Information was recorded on the record sheet, which included the starting time, the weather condition and the filter number (the initial weight of the filter paper can be found out by using the filter number).

·      After sampling, the filter was removed and sent to the ETS for weighing.  The elapsed time was also recorded.

·      Before weighing, all filters were equilibrated in a conditioning environment for 24 hours. The conditioning environment temperature should be between 25°C and 30°C and not vary by more than ±3°C; the relative humidity (RH) should be < 50% and not vary by more than ±5%.  A convenient working RH is 40%.  Weighing results were returned to Cinotech for further analysis of TSP concentrations collected by each filter.

 

Maintenance/Calibration

3.12     The following maintenance/calibration was required for the HVS:

 

·      The high volume motors and their accessories were properly maintained. Appropriate maintenance such as routine motor brushes replacement and electrical wiring checking were made to ensure that the equipment and necessary power supply are in good working condition.

·      All HVS were calibrated (five point calibration) using Calibration Kit prior to the commencement of the baseline monitoring and thereafter at bi-monthly intervals.

Results and Observations

3.13     The monitoring results for 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP are summarized in Table 3.4 and 3.5 respectively. Detailed monitoring results and graphical presentations of 1-hour and 24-hour TSP monitoring results are shown in Appendices E and F respectively.


 

Table 3.4      Summary Table of 1-hour TSP Monitoring Results during the Reporting Month

Monitoring Station

Concentration

(µg/m3)

Action Level, µg/m3

Limit Level, µg/m3

Average

Range

AMS1

95

38 - 145

381

500

AMS4

123

24 - 658

352

 

Table 3.5          Summary Table of 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results during the Reporting Month

Monitoring Station

Concentration

(µg/m3)

Action Level, µg/m3

Limit Level, µg/m3

Average

Range

AMS1

71

29 – 108

170

260

AMS4

65

29 - 99

171

 

3.14     All 1-hour TSP monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the reporting month.  No Action Level and one Limit Level exceedance were recorded.

 

3.15     All 24-hour TSP monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the reporting month.  No Action/Limit Level exceedance was recorded.

 

3.16     According to our field observations, the major dust source identified at the designated air quality monitoring stations in the reporting month are as follows:

 

Table 3.6           Observation at Dust Monitoring Stations

Monitoring Station

Major Dust Source

AMS1

Exhaust from marine traffic

AMS4

Other construction site nearby

 

3.17     The wind speed and wind direction were recorded by the installed Wind Anemometer set at AMS4. The location is shown in Figure 3. 

 

3.18     The wind data for the reporting month is summarized in Appendix J.

 

Event and Action Plan 

 

3.19     Should non-compliance of the criteria occur, action in accordance with the Action Plan in Appendix K shall be carried out.