AQS Monitoring Tools 3

Question 1

UV fluorescence technology is the Federal Reference Method (FRM) measurement principle used for which criteria pollutant?

Accepted Answer

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

Answer

UV fluorescence analyzers (EPA FRM Method No. RFSA-1293-099) excite SO2 molecules with UV light and detect the resulting fluorescent emission to quantify SO2 concentration.

Question 2

Which measurement principle is used in the EPA-designated FRM analyzer for ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2)?

Accepted Answer

Chemiluminescence with photolytic conversion

Answer

The EPA FRM for NO2 uses a photolytic converter to convert NO2 to NO, then measures via chemiluminescence reaction between NO and ozone.

Question 3

Non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) absorption analyzers are most commonly used in ambient air monitoring to measure which gas?

Accepted Answer

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Answer

NDIR analyzers exploit CO's strong absorption band at ~4.7 µm infrared wavelength, making it the FRM-class technology for ambient CO measurement.

Question 4

A Beta Attenuation Monitor (BAM) measures PM2.5 mass concentration by which physical principle?

Accepted Answer

Attenuation of beta radiation (electrons) passing through particles collected on a filter tape

Answer

A BAM collects particles on a moving filter tape and measures the attenuation of beta rays emitted by a C-14 source; greater attenuation corresponds to higher PM mass.

Question 5

The Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) measures particulate matter mass using which principle?

Accepted Answer

The resonant frequency of a vibrating tapered tube changes as PM deposits on the filter at its tip

Answer

The TEOM measures the shift in oscillation frequency of a tapered hollow tube; as PM accumulates on the filter at the tube tip, the added mass reduces the resonant frequency.

(AQS) Air Quality Specialist Certification Practice Test

(AQS) Air Quality Specialist Certification Practice Test

AQS Monitoring Tools 3