Sampling methods for PM_2.5 from stationary sources: A review

The new China national ambient air quality standard has been published in 2012 and will be implemented in 2016. To meet the requirements in this new standard, monitoring and controlling PM_2.5 emission from stationary sources are very important. However, so far there is no national standard method on sampling PM_2.5 from stationary sources. Different sampling methods for PM_2.5 from stationary sources and relevant international standards were reviewed in this study. It includes the methods for PM_2.5 sampling in flue gas and the methods for PM_2.5 sampling after dilution. Both advantages and disadvantages of these sampling methods were discussed. For environmental management, the method for PM_2.5 sampling in flue gas such as impactor and virtual impactor was suggested as a standard to determine filterable PM_2.5. To evaluate environmental and health effects of PM_2.5 from stationary sources, standard dilution method for sampling of total PM_2.5 should be established.