This document summarizes an air sampling project in Naples, Italy. It describes the project setup with 9 sampling sites equipped with various samplers to collect particulate, pesticides, PCBs, VOCs, mercury, and aldehydes. Samples were sent to a lab in Germany and data was made available online. Concurrent water and soil sampling also occurred at housing sites. The document outlines the specific sampling methods and equipment used, as well as challenges faced like long drives between sites, worker fatigue, and high turnover. Mitigation strategies are also described such as a buddy system, stopping work due to exposure risks, and grounding all electrical equipment.

1. Naples Air Sampling Project

2. Project Description
• Long-term ambient air sampling project
• 9 discreet sample sites equipped with
various samplers
• Sample media sent to lab in Germany
• Web site established for customer to
evaluate data
• Concurrent drinking-water and soil
sampling project @ housing sites

3. Polyurethane Foam/Vapor
Collection Systems (PUF)
• Pesticides, PCB & SVOC
Designed to simultaneously
collect both airborne particulate
and pesticide vapors. The Organic
Toxics Samplers house a
combination 4" diameter paper &
glass cartridge "PUF" holder to
collect samples at adjustable flow
rates between 2 and 10 CFM.
Sampling Methodology

4. Sampling Methodology
Mercury & Aldehyde - Ketone
• SKC Sample pump + tubes + scrubber

5. PM-10 High Volume Air Sampler
• 8” X 10” flat filter media w/24 Hr chart recorder for
SCFM.
• Metals:
Particles greater than the 10 microns impact onto
the greased impaction surface. The PM-10 particles
smaller than 10 microns are carried vertically
upward by the air flow and down multiple vent tubes
to the 8-inch x 10-inch quartz fiber filter, where they
are collected.
The quartz fiber filter is weighed before and after
sampling. The weight increase is the mass of
particles smaller than 10 microns. The mass
concentration of PM-10 particles (micrograms per
cubic meter) is determined by dividing the
particulate mass (micrograms) by the sampled air
volume (cubic meters).
Sampling Methodology

6. SUMMA Whole Air
Sampler
• VOC’s
• Evacuated 1L canister w/adjustable flow rate.
EPA Methods TO-14A and TO-15 were designed
for analysis of ambient air samples. These
methods use collection of whole air samples in
specially prepared stainless steel canisters with
analysis by GC/MS.
Sampling Methodology

7. Data Sheets
Sampling Methodology

8. Sampling Stations

9. Sampling Stations

10. Sampling Stations

11. ESH Challenges
• Driving - 350km between sites, highway
and congested urban environment
• Fatigue - 10-12Hr shifts, 6 days/week
(includes night shift for one crew)
• Exposure - rain, lightening, heat/sun
• Electrical - Temporary wiring, 220V
equipment exposed to elements.
• Turnover - 70% of personnel every 6 wks

12. ESH Challenges

13. ESH Mitigations
• Driving - Stress on safety, not speeding
• Fatigue - Buddy system (y mas Red Bull!)
• Exposure - Ability to stop work
• Electrical - All equipment grounded
• Turnover - Buddy/mentor system; pre-job
briefing; core project mgt. group

14. ESH Mitigations
Hospitals w/GPS
coordinates

15. ESH Mitigations
Carabinari letters/govt.
credentials

16. The Crew

17. The Crew

18. The Crew

19. The Crew

20. The Crew

21. The Scenery

22. The Scenery

23. The Scenery

24. The Scenery

25. The Scenery

26. The Scenery