Fast screening compositions of PM2.5 by ATR-FTIR: Comparison with results from IC andOC/EC analyzers

Chemical speciation of fine particles or PM2.5 collected on filters is still a costly and time-consuming task. Can the fast and cheap analytical technique of ATR-FTIR present comparable results with traditional analyzers of OC/EC and IC in terms of characterizing the composition variations in PM2.5? Our results revealed that ATR-FTIR could be a fast and useful technique to characterize filter-based PM2.5 compositions particularly during pollution events although cautions should be taken when PM2.5 levels are low, as displayed in Figure below.115