The main objectives of this program included implementing the quality assurance audits of analytical systems, ensuring that instruments were functioning properly, establishing standard operating procedures for data quality assurance, streamlining data processing, analyzing the collected data, and characterizing the local pollutant profile for Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS). A quality assurance auditing manual was established and all the field audits were carried out accordingly. The incidents of nonconformance mostly consisted of incomplete records or missing inspectors’ signatures; corrective actions have already been performed. The data quality audits in each PAMS met the quality assurance criteria (85%) except for Shiau Gang PAMS in Jan. 2009. Analytical system audits showed that the standard deviations for n-Pentane and Toluene at all PAMS met the quality assurance criteria (10%). Data audits and performance evaluation showed the m,p-Xylene concentrations in Wan Hua, Tu Cheng and Shiau Gang PAMS were incorrect from the establishment of each of these three PAMS through Jun. 2009. All incorrect m,p-Xylene concentrations have already been corrected in the course of this project. In addition, a breakthrough effect of Ethylene and decay of Acetylene in the standard gas mixture were also observed. All PAMS indicated that Toluene had the highest concentration of the target analytes. Parallel studies between the laboratory and the PAMS showed that the relative percent deviation for Toluene was small. The continuous temperature monitoring also indicated that the temperature of each PAMS was stable. Two training sessions were conducted to provide an introduction to the theory and operation of PAMS as well as data analysis procedures, and a site visit accompanied by a detailed explanation of the analytical system to give the participants a thorough understanding of PAMS.

Photochemical smog, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS)