Ground-Based Smoke Sampling Techniques Training Course and Collaborative Local Smoke Sampling in Saudi Arabia.
Ground-Based Smoke Sampling Techniques Training Course
and Collaborative Local Smoke Sampling in Saudi Arabia.
(3439 K)
Bryner, N. P.; Benner, B. A., Jr.
NISTIR 5306; 85 p. Issued January 1994.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB94-143542
Keywords:
smoke sampling; aerosols; environmental effects; fire
research; oil spills; well fires; polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons; smoke; smoke collection; carbon monoxide;
carbon dioxide
Abstract:
Smoke and gaseous emissions such as those generated by
multiple oil-well fires can significantly impact the
health of the local population. To assess the immediate
risk to public health, the chemical and physical
properties of the smoke and gaseous emissions must be
quickly characterized. Local sampling via portable gas
analyzers, filters, and pumps, and particle sizing
instrumentation provides real-time characterization of
pollutant levels. The Ground-Based Smoke Sampling
Techniques Training Course and Collaborative Local Smoke
Sampling project was initiated between the Ministry of
Defense and Aviation (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA) to
train Saudi medical personnel. A team of Saudi and NIST
researchers assembled in December 1992 to collect smoke
and gas samples in Saudi Arabia for analysis. Sample
analysis included determination of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), CO, CO2 and total particulate
concentrations. Split-sample analysis was conducted
with some samples being analyzed in Saudi Arabia and
other samples being returned to NIST for more
specialized analysis, including micro-Raman, laser
micro-probe, and environmental scanning electron
microscopy. These analyses provide a snapshot of the
physical and chemical properties of the aerosols sampled
in Saudi Arabia, but due to the very limited number of
samples, they do not provide a reasonable basis for
estimating the short- or long-term health risk due to
exposure to smoke and gaseous emissions. Concentrations
of PAHs measured in the samples were about the same
order of magnitude as samples collected in Roanoke,
Virginia, but 3 to 10 times lower than samples from
Boise, Idaho. While these results do suggest
significant levels of PAH and dust particulates, the
data set is very limited and a program involving the
collection and analysis of air samples in or around
Saudi Arabian urban areas would provide valuable data
for determining current airborne PAH concentrations as
well as for devising air pollution control strategies
for the future. The appearance of significant
concentrations of PAHs in what was expected to provide
background levels indicates that a more comprehensive
sampling program should be implemented to characterize
the levels and the distribution of PAHs throughout the
Kingdom.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899