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0068-NE70376-NHR-01-2007AnnualReportVol1-F.doc �

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Isle of Man Government

Review of Air Quality Monitoring Data

1 January to 31 December 2007

Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill Monitoring Stations

Report

February 2008

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0068-NE70376-NHR-01-2007AnnualReportVol1-F.doc �

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Isle of Man Government Department of Local Government and the Environment

Murray House Mount Havelock

Douglas Isle of Man

IM1 2SF


1 January to 31 December 2007

Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill Monitoring Stations

Report

February 2008

Hyder Consulting Wellington House Market Street Douglas Isle of Man IM1 2PQ

Hyder Consulting Firecrest Court

Centre Park Warrington

Cheshire WA1 1RG


0068-NE70376-NHR-01-2007AnnualReportVol1-F.doc � �

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This ‘Review of Air Quality Monitoring Data’ from 1st January to 31st December 2007 presents the data collected from automated ambient air quality monitoring stations located at Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill. The Quarterbridge Monitoring Station is located in an urban area close to Pulrose Power Station, whilst the Richmond Hill Monitoring Station is in a rural area. Concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3) were measured at both stations. At Quarterbridge, particulate matter (PM2.5) has also been monitored. All monitoring equipment is comparable with the equipment used in similar monitoring stations within the United Kingdom National Air Quality Monitoring Network.

Tables 1 and 2 provide a summary of the statistics generated from the data for the year 2007 which can be compared directly with the adopted Isle of Man Air Quality Objective Concentrations and allowed number of exceedances per year. This is based on the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (January 2000). Recent updates to the UK Air Quality Strategy have not been adopted by the Isle of Man Government at this time.

Table 1 Annual Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Data from Quarterbridge - 1 January to 31 December 2007

Pollutant Objective Concentration

Measured As Allowed Number of

Exceedances per Year

Number of Exceedances in the Year

Annual Mean

(Where Applicable)

Carbon monoxide

10ppm

Running 8 hour mean 0 0 n/a

105ppb 1 hour mean 18 0 n/a Nitrogen dioxide 21ppb Annual mean n/a n/a 10.07ppb

50µgm-3 24 hour mean 35 7a n/a PM10 40 µgm-3 Annual mean n/a n/a 22.29µgm-3 132ppb 1 hour mean 24 0 n/a 47ppb 24 hour mean 3 0 n/a

Sulphur dioxide

100ppb 15 minute

mean 35 0 n/a

Ozone

50ppb

Daily exceedance of the running 8

hour mean

10 3b n/a

PM2.5c 25µgm-3 Annual mean n/a n/a 13.35µgm-3

Note: a 3 exceedances in March 2007; 3 exceedances in April 2007; 1 exceedance in December 2007. b 1 exceedance in March 2007; 2 exceedances in April 2007. c In June 2007, a new Air Quality Strategy objective was introduced for PM2.5. However, this has not been

formally adopted by the Isle of Man Government and is included for comparative purposes only.


0068-NE70376-NHR-01-2007AnnualReportVol1-F.doc ��

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Table 2 Annual Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Data from Richmond Hill - 1 January to 31 December 2007

Pollutant Objective

Concentration Measured As Allowed

Number of Exceedances

per Year


Annual Mean

(Where Applicable)

Carbon monoxide

10ppm Running 8 hour mean

0 0 n/a

105ppb 1 hour mean 18 0 n/a Nitrogen dioxide 21ppb Annual mean n/a n/a 2.76ppb

50µgm-3 24 hour mean 35 5a n/a PM10 40µgm-3 Annual mean n/a n/a 16.62µgm-3 132ppb 1 hour mean 24 0 n/a 47ppb 24 hour mean 3 0 n/a

Sulphur dioxide

100ppb 15 minute

mean 35 0 n/a

Ozone 50ppb Running 8 hour mean

10 16b n/a

Note: a 2 exceedances in March 2007; 3 exceedances in April 2007. b 3 exceedances in March 2007; 6 exceedances in April 2007; 2 exceedances in May 2007; 5 exceedances in June

2007.

The statistics indicate that compliance with the allowed number of exceedances is achieved at Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill for CO, NO2, PM10 and SO2; and at Quarterbridge for O3. However, at Richmond Hill, exceedances of O3 during 2007 do not comply with the allowed number of exceedances.



REVIEW OF AIR QUALITY MONITORING DATA

1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2007

QUARTERBRIDGE AND RICHMOND HILL MONITORING STATIONS

REPORT

Section Title Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 2.0 DATA COLLECTION 2 3.0 ISLE OF MAN AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVE

CONCENTRATIONS AND ALLOWED EXCEEDANCES

4

4.0 COMPARISON OF AIR QUALITY DATA WITH AIR

QUALITY OBJECTIVE CONCENTRATIONS AND ALLOWED EXCEEDANCES

5

4.1 General 5 4.2 Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) 7 4.3 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) 8 4.4 Particulate Matter less than 10µm in diameter (PM10) 9 4.5 Particulate Matter less than 2.5µm in diameter (PM2.5) 10 4.6 Carbon Monoxide (CO) 11 4.7 Ozone (O3) 11

5.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 14 6.0 REFERENCES 18 7.0 GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS 19 Appendices 21 Appendix A - Figures and Location of the Quarterbridge

Monitoring Station 23

Appendix B - Figures and Location of the Richmond Hill Monitoring Station

27

Appendix C - Calendar – 2007 31 Appendix D - Calibration and Maintenance Record 35 Appendix E - Schedule of Tasks 2007 and 2008 43 List of Tables 3.1 Isle of Man Air Quality Objective Concentrations and Allowed Exceedances 4.1 Summary of Annual Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Monitoring Data 4.2 Summary of Annual Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Monitoring Data 4.3 Summary of Annual Particulate Matter (PM10) Monitoring Data 4.4 Summary of Annual Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Monitoring Data



4.5 Summary of Annual Carbon Monoxide (CO) Monitoring Data 4.6 Summary of Annual Ozone (O3) Monitoring Data 5.1 Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Data at Quarterbridge 1 January to 31

December 2007 5.2 Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Data at Richmond Hill 1 January to 31

December 2007 5.3 Statistical Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Data 2007

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List of Figures (Appendices A and B) A1 Quarterbridge Monitoring Station A2 A Selection of Instruments inside the Quarterbridge Monitoring Station A3 Location of the Quarterbridge Monitoring Station B1 Richmond Hill Monitoring Station B2 A Selection of Instruments inside the Richmond Hill Monitoring Station B3 Location of the Richmond Hill Monitoring Station��

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0068-NE70376-NHR-01-2007AnnualReportVol1-F.doc 1 �

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The monitoring data for Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill Air Quality Monitoring Stations is presented on the Isle of Man’s air quality website (http://www.gov.im/dlge/enviro/protection/air.xml). The graphs of each month’s monitoring data are presented on the website and should be read in conjunction with this report�

This report provides a summary of the background air quality monitoring data collected from the automated monitoring stations at Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill.

This report has been structured to present a review of the relevant information in a logical, easily accessible format.

Section 2 - Data Collection - briefly describes the methods used to collect air quality data. It provides details of the location of the automated monitoring stations, the period of operation and the equipment installed in the monitoring stations.

Section 3 - Isle of Man Air Quality Objective Concentrations and Allowed Exceedances - summarises the adopted air quality objectives and allowed exceedances.

Section 4 - Comparison Of Air Quality Data With Air Quality Objective Concentrations And Allowed Exceedances - provides a review of the statistical interpretation of the pollutant concentrations recorded at fifteen-minute and hourly intervals at the monitoring stations. The recorded values have been converted into reference periods compatible with the air quality objectives.

Section 5 - Summary and Conclusions - presents a summary of the review and draws conclusions from the reported data.

Section 6 - References - details all external sources of information.

Section 7 - Glossary of Abbreviations - provides a list of abbreviated terms with their comprehensive title.

Appendices - Contains detailed supporting information.

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2.0 DATA COLLECTION

Hyder Consulting (UK) Limited has been assisting the Department of Local Government and the Environment (DLGE) in the monitoring of air quality on the Isle of Man. This report provides a summary of the data collected over the year 1 January to 31 December 2007 at the automated ambient air quality monitoring stations installed at Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill.

The Quarterbridge monitoring station collects data from an urban location, in contrast to the Richmond Hill station, which collects data from a rural location. The station at Quarterbridge is located at Quarterbridge, Douglas approximately 40 metres from the National Sports Centre alongside the TT access road and close to Pulrose Power Station (Grid Reference SC 368 763). Figures A1, A2 and A3 in Appendix A include photographs and the location of the Quarterbridge Monitoring Station. The Richmond Hill station is located within the compound of a disused transmitter mast close to Speke Farm, Richmond Hill (Grid Reference SC 334 749). Figures B1, B2 and B3 in Appendix B present photographs and the location of the Richmond Hill Monitoring Station.

The stations were commissioned during March/April 1997 and have been recording data for oxides of nitrogen (NOX), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter less than 10µm in diameter (PM10) and wind speed and direction. In addition to these pollutants, the station at Quarterbridge has been recording levels of particulate matter less than 2.5µm in diameter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) since being relocated to its current position in September 1999. Ozone (O3) was added to the Richmond Hill site at the end of 2002. For the purpose of this report, the data, which can be directly compared with the Isle of Man Air Quality Objectives, has been reported, i.e. NO2, SO2, O3, CO and PM10. PM2.5 data is also reported for the Quarterbridge station, although the Isle of Man Government has not formally adopted the Air Quality Objective for this pollutant that was introduced for the UK in June 2007, it is included for comparative purposes.

During November 2003 the software used to download and view the data from both stations was upgraded by Enviro Technology Services plc (hereafter referred to as Enviro Technology) from Retriever to their ‘ComVisioner’ and ‘Reporter’ software.

The station instruments are of a similar specification to those used in the United Kingdom automated network. Instrumentation has been supplied and installed by Enviro Technology. A full list of the equipment installed in the stations can be found in Richmond Hill Energy from Waste Plant - Environmental Assessment: Volume 3 (2): The Technical Appendices: Review of Air Quality Monitoring Data (Ref. 1).

Hyder Consulting (UK) Limited undertakes regular site calibration visits to both monitoring stations. As part of the visits, the equipment is visually inspected for defects and routine maintenance is carried out. Filter and tape changes are carried out regularly and zero and span testing of the equipment is undertaken on a monthly basis. A schedule of survey visits is



shown in Appendix E. The instrumentation is routinely serviced and calibrated, by Enviro Technology on a quarterly basis. As and when required, Enviro Technology also carries out remedial maintenance. Appendix D of this report provides a record of calibration events, equipment failure and maintenance by Enviro Technology. The data analysis takes account of calibration and maintenance site visits.



3.0 ISLE OF MAN AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVE CONCENTRATIONS

AND ALLOWED EXCEEDANCES

DLGE has adopted air quality objectives in accordance with those in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland issued by the UK Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR, now Defra) in January 2000. The Air Quality Strategy specifies objective concentrations and allowed exceedances for NO2, SO2, CO, PM10, O3, benzene, 1,3-butadiene and lead. The objective concentrations and allowed exceedances have been based upon the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQS) as presented in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Ref. 2). In June 2007, the Air Quality Strategy was updated to include an objective for PM2.5. However, this has not been formally adopted by the Isle of Man Government at this time and the PM2.5 objective is used for comparative purposes only in the context of this report.

Table 3.1 summarises the objective concentrations and allowed exceedances relevant to each pollutant monitored at the automated monitoring stations.

Table 3.1 Isle of Man Air Quality Objective Concentrations and Allowed Exceedances


Measured As Allowed Number of Exceedances per Year

Carbon monoxide

10ppm Running 8 hour mean 0

105ppb 1 hour mean 18 Nitrogen dioxide 21ppb Annual mean n/a

50µgm-3 24 hour mean 35 PM10 40µgm-3 Annual mean n/a

132ppb 1 hour mean 24 47ppb 24 hour mean 3

Sulphur dioxide

100ppb 15 minute mean 35

Ozone 50ppb Daily maximum

Running 8 hour mean 10

PM2.5a 25µgm-3 Annual mean n/a

Note: a In June 2007, a new Air Quality Strategy objective was introduced for PM2.5. However, this has not been formally adopted by the Isle of Man Government and is included for comparative purposes only.



4.0� COMPARISON OF AIR QUALITY DATA WITH AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVE CONCENTRATIONS AND ALLOWED EXCEEDANCES

4.1 General

The data reported in this section has been collected during the calendar year of 1 January to 31 December 2007. The data set has been correlated so that the statistics generated are directly comparable with the objectives and allowed exceedances as defined in the Air Quality Strategy.

Graphs of the monitoring data are available at the Isle of Man’s air quality website (http://www.gov.im/dlge/enviro/protection/air.xml) for both Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill monitoring stations. Graphs have been produced on a month by month basis for each pollutant. For comparison, the specific Air Quality Objective concentration for the reference period is also illustrated on each graph. However, it should be noted there is no objective concentration for PM2.5, (other than an annual target which cannot be displayed on the monthly graphs and has not been formally adopted by the Isle of Man Government).

For both stations, percentage data capture statistics have been generated for both raw data captured and valid post calibration data. The raw data capture statistic is intended to reflect the comparison between total raw data capture and valid calibrated data. The raw data capture percentage represents the total possible hourly intervals (15 minute intervals for SO2) during the year for which raw data has been collected. The valid post calibration data capture percentage represents the relevant assessment periods (e.g. running 8-hour mean for CO).

On occasions, measurements have not been collected due to failure of the analytical instruments, the data logging equipment or during site calibration visits.

The main events that occurred at the Quarterbridge Monitoring Station in 2007 are summarised below:

- During February 2007, the pump on the CO analyser at Quarterbridge developed a fault, this meant that the data collected could not be relied upon, therefore all CO data for February 2007 was deleted.

- A series of power cuts commenced on the 14th February 2007 at the Quarterbridge Monitoring Station. The cause of the power cuts were not initially apparent, resulting in the loss of several days’ data for all pollutants. On the 26th February, it was discovered the cause of the fault was the air conditioning. The PM10 and NOx analysers were kept running and the other monitors switched off to reduce heat generation until the air conditioning unit was replaced in March 2007. This resulted in the loss of a couple of additional week’s worth of data for the remaining analysers that were switched off.

- When the air conditioning unit was repaired and the remaining analysers were switched back on, it was found that the permeation tube on the



SO2 analyser needed replacing, resulting in further data loss for SO2 in March 2007.

At the Richmond Hill Monitoring Station, the only main event occurring in 2007 was the restriction of access due to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). On the 6th September 2007, the PM10 analyser failed. Access to the station was prohibited at this time due to the FMD restrictions; therefore the fault could not be rectified until the 10th September, resulting in several days’ data loss.

All periods of instrument failure and site calibration visits are annotated on the graphs located at the Isle of Man’s air quality website (http://www.gov.im/dlge/enviro/protection/air.xml). Appendix C contains a 2007 calendar for reference. Appendix D includes further information regarding the nature of the equipment failure where applicable, and Appendix E contains the calibration schedules for 2007 and planned schedule of calibrations for 2008.



4.2 Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

Sulphur dioxide concentrations have been recorded as 15-minute means. The Air Quality Strategy provides three objective concentrations (measured as 1-hour mean, 24-hour mean and 15-minute mean) and associated allowed numbers of exceedances for each of the SO2 objectives. Table 4.1 provides a summary of the statistical interpretation of the annual data for both stations.

Table 4.1: Summary of Annual Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Monitoring Data

Quarterbridge Richmond Hill Statistic Objective

Concentration Allowed



1-hour mean 132ppb 24 0 0 24-hour mean 47ppb 3 0 0 15-minute mean 100ppb 35 0 0 Percentage Data Capture Raw Data n/a n/a 79% 87% Valid Calibrated Data

n/a n/a 53% 15%

The statistics in Table 4.1 indicate that the 1-hour means, 24-hour means and 15-minute means recorded at both the stations do not exceed their respective objectives during 2007. The monthly graphs for SO2 for Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill present a comparison of the 15-minute means, 24-hour means and 1 hour means against the relevant Air Quality Strategy Objective concentration. These graphs can be found at the Isle of Man’s air quality website (http://www.gov.im/dlge/enviro/protection/air.xml). The statistics in Table 4.1 illustrate that more raw data was collected than was considered valid. Site calibration visits and routine maintenance are responsible for some of the losses of raw data, although equipment failure is also a contributory factor. Data is considered invalid for a number of reasons, and is often due to the data being negative after the calibration scaling factor has been applied to it. It is considered that this is due to generally low ambient concentrations of SO2. Equipment failures contributed to some of the missing and invalid SO2 data at Quarterbridge, particularly during February and March when the air conditioning unit failed resulting in the SO2 analyser having to be powered down for several weeks. Additionally, when the analyser was switched back on after the power fault was rectified, it was found that the permeation tubes needed replacing, resulting in further data loss in March



2007. There were no prolonged periods of SO2 equipment failure at the Richmond Hill Monitoring Station, hence the higher percentage of raw data capture than at Quarterbridge. It is considered that the Richmond Hill monitoring data has a higher percentage of data loss than the Quarterbridge station because of low concentrations in the area of Richmond Hill resulting in data being negative after the calibration scaling factor has been applied, therefore having to be discarded.

4.3 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

The hourly averages for NO2 have been compared with the Air Quality Objective concentrations and allowed exceedances detailed in Section 3.0. Table 4.2 provides a summary of the statistical interpretation of the data.

Table 4.2: Statistical Summary of Annual Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Monitoring Data

Quarterbridge Richmond Hill Statistic Objective Concentration

Allowed Number of

Exceedances Number of Hourly Exceedances

and Annual Mean Concentrations

1-hour mean 105ppb 18 0 0 Annual mean 21ppb n/a 10ppb 3ppb Percentage Data Capture

Raw Data n/a n/a 96% 99% Valid Calibrated Data

n/a n/a 90% 87%

The statistics in Table 4.2 indicate that hourly mean concentrations of NO2 measured at the Richmond Hill and Quarterbridge Monitoring Stations did not exceed the objective concentration specified in Section 3.0.

The annual mean concentration objective was not exceeded at either station with concentrations of 10ppb and 3ppb for Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill respectively. These are well below the annual mean objective concentration of 21ppb. Concentrations are generally higher at the Quarterbridge station because of the traffic in the vicinity of this station. Traffic is a source of NOX gases which then reacts with O3 to form NO2.

The monthly graphs for NO2 for Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill illustrate the hourly averages of NO2 plotted alongside the objective concentration. These graphs can be found at the Isle of Man’s air quality website (http://www.gov.im/dlge/enviro/protection/air.xml).

The lower percentage of raw data capture at Quarterbridge in comparison to Richmond Hill is due to the power failure at Quarterbridge in February 2007, as mentioned previously in Section 4.1.



Site calibration visits and routine maintenance are responsible for some of the percentage data loss at both stations. Differences between the capture of raw data and calibrated data also occur when data which has been logged is negative in concentration and therefore considered to be invalid once calibration and data ratification has been carried out.

There is a reduction of 6% and 12% in valid data capture at the Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill stations respectively, compared to raw data. The majority of the 12% loss at Richmond Hill is due to generally low concentrations of NO2 in the area of Richmond Hill resulting in negative values following calibration.

4.4 Particulate Matter less than 10µµµµm in diameter (PM10)

The hourly recorded averages for particulate matter less than 10µm in diameter (PM10) measured at the Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill Monitoring Stations have been converted into 24-hour mean and annual average values so as to allow comparison with the objective concentration for PM10 as specified in Section 3.0 of this report. Table 4.3 provides a summary of the statistical interpretation of the data.

Table 4.3: Statistical Summary of Annual Particulate Matter (PM10) Monitoring Data

Quarterbridge Richmond Hill Statistic Objective



Number of 24 Hour Mean Exceedances and Annual Mean

Concentrations 24-hour mean 50µgm-3 35 7a 5b Annual mean 40µgm-3 n/a 22µgm-3 17µgm-3 Percentage Data Capture


n/a n/a 95% 94%

Note: a 3 exceedances in March 2007; 3 exceedances in April 2007; 1 exceedance in December 2007. b 2 exceedances in March 2007; 3 exceedances in April 2007.

The statistics in Table 4.3 indicate exceedances of the 24-hour mean objective concentration at both stations. Whilst there are exceedances of the objective throughout the year, the total number of exceedances at both monitoring stations is below the 35 permitted within the Air Quality Strategy. The monthly graphs for PM10 for Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill can be found at the Isle of Man’s air quality website (http://www.gov.im/dlge/enviro/protection/air.xml).

The annual mean PM10 concentration achieved for 2007 at Quarterbridge was 22µgm-3 and 17µgm-3 at Richmond Hill. These are both below the annual mean objective concentration of 40µgm-3.



The statistics within Table 4.3 indicate a loss of 2% and 6% of measured raw data at Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill respectively during 2007. These losses are due to site calibration visits, tape changes and routine maintenance. The data loss is slightly greater at Richmond Hill because when the PM10 analyser developed a fault on September 6th 2007, it could not be rectified immediately due to FMD restrictions preventing access to the station, resulting in the loss of several days’ worth of data.

4.5 Particulate Matter less than 2.5µµµµm in diameter (PM2.5)

EPAQS has recognised that PM2.5 might better represent the toxic fraction of particulate air pollution. In June 2007, The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) released ‘The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’ (Ref. 3). This new strategy introduced a national air quality objective for PM2.5. The objective for the UK (except Scotland) is an annual mean of 25µgm-3, to be achieved by 2020, with a European target value of 25µgm-3 by 2010. There is a further target of a 15% reduction in PM2.5 concentrations at urban backgrounds for UK urban areas to be achieved between 2010 and 2020, with a European target value of a 20% reduction to be achieved between 2010 and 2020. However, this objective has not been adopted by the Isle of Man Government and is used for comparative purposes only.

Table 4.4: Statistical Summary of Annual Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Monitoring Data

Statistic Objective



Annual Mean Concentration

at Quarterbridge

Annual mean 25µgm-3 n/a 13µgm-3 Percentage

Data Capture

Raw Data n/a n/a 92% Valid Calibrated Data

n/a n/a 87%

The hourly recorded averages for particulate matter of less than 2.5µm in diameter (PM2.5), measured at the Quarterbridge monitoring station, were converted to 24-hour averages. Prior to June 2007, there were no formal objectives for PM2.5, therefore the reference period used was the same as PM10 (i.e. 24-hour averages) to enable comparison. These are represented in graphs, which can be found at the Isle of Man’s air quality website (http://www.gov.im/dlge/enviro/protection/air.xml).

The PM2.5 annual mean for 2007 at Quarterbridge was 13µgm-3, which is below the 25µgm-3 objective for the UK.

The statistics in Table 4.4 indicate that the percentage data capture for 2007 was 92%, which is lower than last year (100%) due to the power cuts that occurred in February 2007. The data capture rate for valid data during 2007 was 87%. The 5% raw data loss can be attributed, in part, to periods



when services and BAM tape changes were undertaken. Data was also lost when the PM2.5 tape jammed on the 26th January, when the analyser failed on June 7th and when the BAM tape came off on the 7th December.

4.6 Carbon Monoxide (CO)

The hourly recorded averages for CO, measured at the Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill monitoring stations, have been converted into running 8-hour mean values to allow a comparison with the objective concentration and calculate the number of exceedances. Table 4.5 provides a summary of the statistical interpretation of the data.

Table 4.5: Statistical Summary of Annual Carbon Monoxide (CO) Monitoring Data


Allowed Number of

Exceedances Number of Exceedances

Running 8-hour mean

10ppm 0 0 0

Percentage Data Capture


n/a n/a 83% 99%

The statistics in Table 4.5 indicate that the running 8-hour mean concentrations of CO measured at the Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill monitoring stations do not exceed the objective concentration of 10ppm.

The graphs contained at the Isle of Man’s air quality website (http://www.gov.im/dlge/enviro/protection/air.xml) graphically present the running 8-hour means of CO plotted alongside the objective concentration.

Both monitoring stations have a high proportion of captured raw data for CO (92% at Quarterbridge and 99% at Richmond Hill). The percentage of raw data at Quarterbridge is lower than for Richmond Hill due to the power cuts experienced at the station in February 2007. There are also lower percentages of valid data at Quarterbridge. Some of the data loss is due to activities such as calibration and routine maintenance. However, the majority of the data loss will be due to the fault with the analyser at Quarterbridge in February 2007 which resulted in the loss of a couple of weeks of data.

4.7 Ozone (O3)

The hourly recorded averages for O3 measured at the Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill monitoring stations have been converted into running 8-hour means. Exceedances of the daily maximum 8-hour running mean are reported. Table 4.6 provides a summary of the statistical interpretation of the data.



Table 4.6: Statistical Summary of Annual Ozone (O3) Monitoring Data


Allowed Number of

Exceedances Number of Exceedances

Daily maximum of the running 8-hour mean

50ppb 10 3a 16b

Percentage Data Capture


n/a n/a 90% 98%

Note: ��1 exceedance in March 2007; 2 exceedances in April 2007. �� 3 exceedances in March 2007; 6 exceedances in April 2007; 2 exceedances in May 2007; 5 exceedances in June 2007.

Three exceedances of the ozone objective were measured at the Quarterbridge monitoring station and sixteen at Richmond Hill during 2007. In 2006, there were exceedances of the ten allowed by the Air Quality Strategy at both stations. However, in 2007, only Richmond Hill exceeded the ten allowed.

The graphs at the Isle of Man’s air quality website (http://www.gov.im/dlge/enviro/protection/air.xml) graphically present the running 8-hour means of O3 plotted alongside the 50ppb daily exceedance objective concentration.

Ozone, a secondary pollutant, is not emitted directly from any source but is formed in the atmosphere, predominantly by the photochemical reactions with NOX and hydrocarbons. Due to the formation of ozone in sunlight, exceedances may be more likely during summer months. However, they also occur at other times in the year. This may be due to meteorological conditions as well as the availability of suitable reactant pollutants.

There are higher concentrations, and more exceedances, at Richmond Hill compared to Quarterbridge. This is probably due to the rural nature of the site. Ozone reacts with NOX to produce NO2. If there is not very much NOX then O3 will remain in the atmosphere. Rural sites tend to have low levels of NOX, as is the case at the Richmond Hill site where there is little passing traffic which is a source of NOX gases. In comparison, the Quarterbridge site which is more urban, has higher levels of NOX and consequently lower levels of O3 due to the reaction.

Three exceedances of the ozone objective were measured at the Quarterbridge monitoring station and sixteen at Richmond Hill during 2007. Although there are exceedances of the ten allowed by the Air Quality Strategy at Richmond Hill, the numbers of exceedances are comparable to those recorded in England in 2007. For example, automatic monitoring stations located at Blackpool Marton, Southend-on-Sea, Weybourne and Wicken Fen measured 12, 12, 46 and 20 exceedances of the ozone objective respectively in 2007 (Ref. 4).



Activities such as routine maintenance and calibration are responsible for 2% and 1% loss of data at the Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill stations respectively. The percentage of raw data capture at Quarterbridge is lower than at Richmond Hill due to the series of power cuts that occurred at Quarterbridge in February 2007.



5.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Tables 5.1 and 5.2 present a summary of the statistics generated from the data for Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill monitoring stations respectively. These statistics can be compared directly with the adopted Isle of Man Air Quality Objective concentrations and allowed exceedances. Table 5.3 presents a statistical summary of air quality monitoring data for 2007 for the Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill monitoring stations.

Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide concentrations are all below their objectives.

The 24-hour mean PM10 concentrations have been measured over the 50 µgm-3 objective on 7 occasions at Quarterbridge and 5 occasions at Richmond Hill. The number of exceedances as set by the Air Quality Strategy is 35 permitted exceedances a year. Therefore, the 24-hour mean Air Quality Objective for the year for PM10 has been achieved at both the Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill stations. The annual mean for PM10 has not exceeded the objective concentration of 40µgm-3 at either Quarterbridge (22µgm-3) or Richmond Hill (17µgm-3).

The daily exceedance of the running 8-hour mean ozone objective at Richmond Hill has been exceeded in 2007, but Quarterbridge remains below the objective. There are 3 and 16 exceedances of the objective concentration of 50ppb at Quarterbridge and Richmond Hill respectively in 2007. The allowed number of exceedances for ozone is 10 per year. The exceedance at Richmond Hill is comparable to the exceedances measured at several monitoring stations in England and is considered to be due to the rural nature of Richmond Hill In conclusion, there was only one exceedance of the air quality objectives in 2007 and this occurred for ozone at Richmond Hill.



Table 5.1: Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Data at Quarterbridge 1 January to 31 December 2007





Comments Annual Mean (Where

Applicable)

Carbon monoxide


0 0 n/a

105ppb 1 hour mean 18 0 n/a Nitrogen dioxide 21ppb Annual mean n/a n/a 10ppb

50µgm-3 24 hour mean 35 7 3 exceedances in March 2007; 3 exceedances in April 2007; 1 exceedance in December 2007.

n/a PM10

40µgm-3 Annual mean n/a n/a 22µgm-3 132ppb 1 hour mean 24 0 n/a 47ppb 24 hour mean 3 0 n/a

Sulphur dioxide

100ppb 15 minute mean

35 0 n/a


10 3 1 exceedance in March 2007; 2 exceedances in April 2007.

n/a

PM2.5a 25µgm-3 Annual mean n/a n/a 13µgm-3

Note: a In June 2007, a new Air Quality Strategy objective was introduced for PM2.5. However, this has not been formally adopted by the Isle of Man Government and is included for comparative purposes only.



Table 5.2: Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Data at Richmond Hill 1 January to 31 December 2007





Comment Annual Mean (Where

Applicable)

Carbon monoxide


0 0 n/a

105ppb 1 hour mean 18 0 n/a Nitrogen dioxide 21ppb Annual mean n/a n/a 3ppb

50µgm-3 24 hour mean 35 5

2 exceedances in March 2007; 3 exceedances in April 2007.

n/a PM10

40µgm-3 Annual mean n/a n/a 16µgm-3 132ppb 1 hour mean 24 0 n/a 47ppb 24 hour mean 3 0 n/a

Sulphur dioxide

100ppb 15 minute mean

35 0 n/a


10 16 3 exceedances in March 2007; 6 exceedances in April 2007; 2 exceedances in May 2007; 5 exceedances in June 2007.

n/a



Table 5.3 Statistical Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Data - 1 January to 31 December 2007

Pollutant

Unit Statistic Quarterbridge Richmond Hill Reference

Sulphur dioxide ppb 15-minute mean (99.9th percentile value)

12.3 11.5 100ppb as a 99.9th percentile

Nitrogen dioxide ppb a) Hourly mean (maximum value) b) Annual mean

a) 91.1 b) 10.1

a) 38.3 b) 2.8

a) 105ppb as a maximum hourly mean value b) 21ppb as an annual mean

Particulate matter (<10µm)

µgm-3 a) 24-hour running mean (99th percentile value) b) Percentile at which 50µgm-3 standard achieved

a) 58.3 b) 97th

a) 50.8 b) 98th

a) 50µgm-3 as a 99th percentile

Carbon monoxide ppm 8-hour running mean

(maximum value) 1.20 0.63 10ppm as maximum

Ozone ppb 8-hour running mean (97th percentile)

41.1 47.5 50ppb as a 97th percentile



6.0 REFERENCES

1. Richmond Hill Energy from Waste Plant - Environmental Assessment: Volume 3 (2): The Technical Appendices: Review of Air Quality Monitoring Data. December 1998. Hyder Consulting.

2. Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in partnership with the Scottish Executive, The National Assembly for Wales and the department of the Environment in Northern Ireland. The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Working Together for Clean Air. January 2000.

3. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs – The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Volume 1 July 2007.

4. UK Air Quality Archive (http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/data_and_statistics.php).



7.0 GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS

CO Carbon monoxide Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DLGE Isle of Man Government Department of Local Government

and the Environment EPAQS Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards FMD Foot and Mouth Disease NO Nitric Oxide NO2 Nitrogen dioxide NOX Oxides of nitrogen O3 Ozone PM2.5 Particulate matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter (1 µm = 1 millionth of a metre) PM10 Particulate matter less than 10 µm in diameter ppm Parts per million by volume ppb Parts per billion by volume SO2 Sulphur dioxide µµµµgm-3 Micrograms per cubic metre, i.e. 1 µgm-3 = 1 millionth of a

gram in every cubic metre of air UK DETR United Kingdom Department of the Environment, Transport

and the Regions (now the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Defra)



APPENDICES



�

�



Appendix A Figures and Location of the Quarterbridge Monitoring Station



�

Figure A1 Quarterbridge Monitoring Station

�

Figure A2 A Selection of Instruments inside the Quarterbridge Monitoring Station



�

Figure A3 Location of the Quarterbridge Monitoring Station (indicated by circle)

Reproduced from an Ordnance Survey Map with the permission of

the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Crown Copyright

reserved. Copyright Licence No. AL813400.



Appendix B Figures and Location of the Richmond Hill Monitoring Station



�

Figure B1 Richmond Hill Monitoring Station

�

Figure B2 A Selection of Instruments inside the Richmond Hill Monitoring Station



�

Figure B3 Location of the Richmond Hill Monitoring Station (as indicated by the circle)

Reproduced from an Ordnance Survey Map with the permission of

the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Crown Copyright

reserved. Copyright Licence No. AL813400.



Appendix C Calendar – 2007



Appendix D Calibration and Maintenance Record



��

04/01/07 Span/Zero check. Filters changed and BAM tape checked. Marcus Spry

08/01/07 Span/Zero check. Filters and BAM tape changed.

Marcus Spry

15/01/07 Filter change and BAM tape check (tapes due beginning of February). Marcus Spry

29/01/07 PM2.5 tape jammed. Paper path cleared and tape restarted. CO analyser showing flow warning (reported to S. Gilchrist at Enviro Technology).

Marcus Spry

08/02/07 Span/Zero check. Filters and BAM tapes changed. Marcus Spry

10/02/07 Span/Zero check. Filter changed and BAM tape checked (change due end of February).

Marcus Spry

15/02/07 Power failure at station, caused by circuit breaker tripping. Breaker reset. Marcus Spry

19/02/07 Further power failure at station – circuit breaker reset on advice from Warrington office and S. Gilchrist. NO2 analyser switched off as this was suspected as being part of the fault.

Marcus Spry

26/02/07 – 01/03/07

Engineer on site to carry out 6 month service. Engineer on site to carry out 6 month service. Marcus Spry

28/02/07 BAM tape changed (while visiting site to change diffusion tubes).

Engineer determines cause of power failures – air conditioning unit problem. Stewart Clague Services called out to investigate.

Marcus Spry

01/03/07 Stewart Clague Services engineer Marcus Spry



��

investigates AC unit for fault – compressor has failed and a new unit is required. Quote requested from Stewart Clague Services for a replacement unit.

NOx and PM10 kept switched on – all other units off to reduce heat generation. Regular temperature checks required.

02/03/07 Temperature check. Marcus Spry

05/03/07 Span/Zero check. Filters changed and BAM tapes checked (due end of April).

Temperature check. Marcus Spry

06/03/07 Temperature check. Marcus Spry

07/03/07 Temperature check. Span/Zero check for NOx analyser. Marcus Spry

17/03/07 Replacement air conditioning unit fitted. CO, O3 and PM2.5 analysers back in service. SO2 analyser requires permeation tube to be refitted.

Marcus Spry

26/03/07 Permeation tube refitted with assistance from Envirotech Technology support. SO2 analyser back in service. Span checks for CO and O3 carried out.

Marcus Spry

27/03/07 SO2 analyser span/zero check. Marcus Spry

02/04/07 Routine span/zero check. Filters changed and BAM tapes checked. Marcus Spry

10/04/07 Routine Span/Zero check. BAM tape checked (change at beginning of May) and filters changed.

Marcus Spry



��

11/04/07 BAM tapes and filters changed. Marcus Spry

02/05/07 BAM tape changed during diffusion tube collection.

Marcus Spry

10/05/07 Routine span/zero check. BAM tape malfunction corrected and tape restarted.

Marcus Spry

15/05/07 Routine span/zero check. Filters changed and BAM tape checked. Tape due for replacement around beginning of June.

Marcus Spry

30/05/07 Filter change and BAM tape checked (due at next span check). Marcus Spry

07/06/07 Reported failure of PM2.5 monitor. Upon arriving on site, the air conditioning was found to be performing poorly. Stewart Clague Services were called out to site and the unit was checked and settings changed to reduce possibility of recurrence. PM2.5 monitor rebooted and tapes changed on both PM10 and PM2.5. Filters changed on other analysers.

Marcus Spry

11/06/07 Routine span/zero check. Air conditioning system functioning correctly. Instrument filters changed and BAM tapes checked.

Marcus Spry

18/06/07 Routine Span/Zero check. BAM tape checked and filters changed. Tape to be changed during next span (early July).

Marcus Spry

25/06/07 Filter change. Marcus Spry

02/07/07 – Service visit by Enviro Technology. Service visit by Enviro Technology. Marcus Spry



��

06/07/07

09/07/07 Routine Span/Zero check. Filters changed and BAM tape checked (due to be changed in August).

Marcus Spry

16/07/07 Routine Span/Zero check. Filters changed and BAM tape checked (tape changed during service visit – now due to be changed in September).

Marcus Spry


02/08/07 Routine Span/Zero check. Filters and BAM tapes changed (next change in October). Marcus Spry

06/08/07 Richmond Hill site inaccessible due to foot and mouth restrictions.

Marcus Spry


28/08/07 Filter change (due to Manx Grand Prix). Marcus Spry

03/09/07 Routine Span/Zero check. Filters changed and BAM tape checked (due for change in October).

Marcus Spry

06/09/07 PM10 analyser no longer reporting – clarification on access (and bio security) to Richmond Hill sought.

Marcus Spry

10/09/07 Access to Richmond Hill re-established – PM10 brought back online, and BAM tape changed.

Marcus Spry

17/09/07 Filter change – SO2 instrument showing high lamp reading error (reported to Enviro

Marcus Spry



��

Technology).

25/09/07 Routine Span/Zero check. Filters changed and BAM tape checked (due for change in November). Display on SO2 instrument appears to have failed (reported to Enviro Technology), although remote access provides the ability to take the machine readings and carry out the span/zero check on the instrument.

Marcus Spry

03/10/07 Filter and BAM tape change. Marcus Spry

08/10/07 –

13/10/07

Maintenance visit by Enviro Technology. Maintenance visit by Enviro Technology. Marcus Spry

16/10/07 Routine Span/Zero check. Filters changed and BAM tape checked (due in December). Marcus Spry

26/10/07 Routine Span/Zero check. Filters changed and BAM tape checked (still due in November).

Marcus Spry

06/11/07 Routine Span/Zero check. Carried out by Neil Ronan under supervision of Marcus Spry. Marcus Spry and Neil Ronan

12/11/07 Routine Span/Zero check. Filters and BAM tapes checked

Marcus Spry

27/11/07 Span/Zero check. BAM tape checked and filters changed.

Span/Zero check. BAM tape checked and filters changed. Neil Ronan

05/12/07 Span/Zero check. Filters check. BAM tape check.

Span/Zero check. Filters check. BAM tape changed. Neil Ronan

07/12/07 BAM tape had come off. Tape attached. Neil Ronan



��

12/12/07 BAM tape path checked. Tape re-tensioned. Neil Ronan

13/12/07 BAM tape changed. Neil Ronan

14/12/07 Communication error. Modem switched off and on. Neil Ronan

24/12/07 Filters changed. Neil Ronan



Appendix E Schedule of Tasks 2007 and 2008



HYDER CONSULTING COMPANY SYSTEM

TITLE : ISLE OF MAN GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF AIR QUALITY MONITORING DATA -

1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2007 QUARTERBRIDGE AND RICHMOND HILL

MONITORING STATIONS REPORT CLIENT : DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND

THE ENVIRONMENT, ISLE OF MAN ISSUE AND REVISION RECORD Project No. : NE70376 Report No. : 0068-NE70376-NHR-01-2007AnnualReportVol1-F.doc Revision No. : 01 Date : February 2008 Originator : ............................................................. Hannah Beswick Checked by : ............................................................ Andrew Bean Approved by : ............................................................ Andrew Saunders Description : Draft�

isle of man government review of air quality monitoring ...€¦ · this ‘review of air quality...

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