The design and operation of an instrument capable of continuous, real-time detection of hazardous air pollutant metals in the effluent of boilers, incinerators, and furnaces is reported. A commercially available inductively coupled argon plasma spectrometer, modified for introduction of sample air, provides sensitivity for several metals comparable to that of EPA-approved manual methods, with an analysis result reported every 1 to 2 minutes. Achievable detection limits for the present list of hazardous air pollutant metals range from 0.1 to 20 (mu) g/dry standard cubic meter. Air is isokinetically extracted from a stack or duct and introduced into the argon plasma through an innovative sample transport interface. Data is reported after every measurement cycle and immediately archived to a control computer, where the information is available to a local area network. The entire instrument is automated, and is enclosed in a shelter that can be placed as near as possible to the stack. The measurement of sample losses in the transport line is also discussed.
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