Hourly - Associate Research Professor
Professional Interests
Dr. Richard J. Tropp is an Associate Research Professor in the Division of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS). He has more than 36 years of management and research experience in the areas of ambient air quality monitoring, aerosol and particulate measurements, visibility, acid deposition, data analysis, quality assurance, regulation development, and air pollution control. His experience includes university research, management of state agency regulation development and research, and management and participation in ~50 ambient air monitoring projects. He is currently Principal Investigator for the PM2.5 FRM and chemical speciation laboratory support contracts with the TCEQ and for TexAQSII through the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Tropp managed acceptance tests for the new Teflon filters provided by EPA to state and local agencies for PM2.5monitoring at state and local air monitoring stations (SLAMS). He served as an invited external reviewer of EPA’s Quality Assurance Guidance Document 2.12 for monitoring PM2.5, and helped EPA prepare its regulatory package for the proposed PM2.5 standard, respond to public comments on the proposed standard, and prepare the final promulgation package for the standard. Dr. Tropp has managed particulate and visibility monitoring projects in major urban areas in Texas, Manhattan, NY, Philadelphia, and in rural areas of the eastern US. In addition, he has provided technical advice to state, local, and tribal agencies on particulate sampling and analysis through EPA’s Saturation Monitor Repository. His experience in managing and conducting QA/QC includes: Acid MODES field study databases, QC for EPA’s Clinical Environmental Laboratory, QA/QC support for the Republic of China EPA, QA program support for the bi-national Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network and the Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service’s Air Toxics Program, and QA Manager for the Eastern Fine Particle and Visibility Network. He currently conducts systems audits of the EAF laboratories twice a year, and has served as QA Officer for IMPROVE carbon analysis since 2005. He also provided a QA/QC review of PM10 emission inventory estimates for both point and area sources for the 2001 Clark County (Las Vegas) PM10 SIP.
Dr. Tropp managed atmospheric sciences research for the Texas Air Control Board (TACB), including support for and assessments of new instruments (e.g., improved PM sampling methods), data assessment (e.g., a synoptic scale ozone classification scheme for assessing ozone trends and spectral analysis of VOC data), and new monitoring programs (e.g., urban visibility and trends within Texas). While with TRC Environmental, he conducted audits of aircraft operations and measurements for the Regional Acid Deposition Model field study.
Dr. Tropp also provided assessments of the bi-national Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network and recommendations to the Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service on how to improve its air toxics deposition network. He also provided technical support and review of EPA’s 1997 PM2.5 regulations and support documents. Dr. Tropp has also written EPA’s guidance document on estimating ambient air monitoring costs. He also managed data analysis of the Dallas Brown Cloud and Year-Long Visibility Study. While with TRC Environmental, he was Project Manager for EPA’s Eastern Fine Particle and Visibility Network.
Dr. Tropp developed VOC control regulations for the 1981 Harris County SIP revision and also reviewed its emission inventory to assess potential reductions in air toxics as a result of proposed VOC control measures. While with TRC Environmental, he developed QA/QC procedures for Title V emission inventories and developed reconciliation and assessment procedures for using CEM data to provide more reliable short-term emission inventory estimates. He also developed and provided QC oversight of a SIP emission inventory assessment program for use by EPA and state and local agencies. The program assessed potential problems in both point and area source emissions based on AP-42 emission estimates and comparison with other inventories.
Education
| Degree |
Year |
Institution |
Area |
| Ph.D. |
1979 |
University of Texas at Austin |
Physics |
| B.S. |
1965 |
City College of New York |
Physics |
Professional Memberships
- Air and Waste Management Association
- American Association for Aerosol Research
- American Physical Society
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Society for Quality
- North Carolina Quality Assurance Discussion Group
- New York Academy of Sciences.
Publications
2017
Watson, J. G., Tropp, R. J., Kohl, S. D., Wang, X., Chow, J. C. (2017). Filter processing and gravimetric analysis for suspended particulate matter samples, Aerosol Science and Engineering, 1 (2), 193-205
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A. (2017). PMEH recommendations for the JingJinJi region of China: Emphasis on Hebei Province, Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A. (2017). PMEH recommendations for Accra, Ghana, Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A. (2017). PMEH recommendations for the National Capital Region of India, Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A. (2017). PMEH recommendations for the Hanoi Capital Region, Vietnam, Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A. (2017). PMEH recommendations for the Greater Johannesburg Area, Republic of South Africa, Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A. (2017). PMEH recommendations for Lagos, Nigeria, Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A. (2017). PMEH recommendations for the Greater Cairo Region, Egypt, Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV
2013
Sullivan, D. W., Price, J. H., Lambeth, B., Sheedy, K. A., Savanich, K., Tropp, R. J. (2013). Field Study and Source Attribution for PM2.5 and PM10 with Resulting Reduction in Concentrations in the Neighborhood North of the Houston Ship Channel Based on Voluntary Efforts, J. Air & Waste Manage. Assoc., 63 (9), 1070-1082
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Wang, X., Kohl, S. D., Chen, L.-W.A. (2013). Standards and traceability for air quality measurements: Flow rates and gaseous pollutants, Mapan-J. Metrology Soc. India, 28 (3), 167-179
2012
Chen, L.-W.A.,
Tropp, R. J.,
Li, W. -.,
Zhu, D.,
Chow, J. C.,
Watson, J. G.,
Zielinska, B. K. (2012).
Aerosol and Air Toxics Exposure in El Paso, Texas: A Pilot Study,
Aerosol & Air Qual. Res., 12 (2), 169-179,
10.4209/aaqr.2011.10.0169
2011
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Robles, J. A., Wang, X., Chen, L.-W.A., Trimble, D. L., Kohl, S. D., Tropp, R. J., Fung, K. (2011). Quality assurance and quality control for thermal/optical analysis of aerosol samples for organic and elemental carbon, Anal.Bioanal.Chem., 3141-3152
2010
Chen, L.-W.A., Tropp, R. J., Zhu, D., Chow, J. C., Zielinska, B. K., Watson, J. G. (2010). Characterizing and assessing the associations of hazardous air pollutant emissions with environmental indicators for the El Paso-Cd. Juarez Border Region, Desert Research Institute
2009
Melero, A., Parra.M., Rodriquez-Hefner, E., Chen, L.-W.A., Tropp, R. J., Zhu, D., Chow, J. C., Zielinska, B. K., Watson, J. G., Li, W. (2009). Characterizing and assessing the associations of hazardous air pollutant emissions with environmental indicators for the El Paso-Cd. Juarez border region, City of El Paso Environmental Services Department
2007
Cernuschi, S., Giugliano, M., Grosso, M., Lonati, G. (Eds.) Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Doraiswamy, P., Chen, L.-W.A., Tropp, R. J. (2007). Rilevamento, Modellistica, Aspetti Normativi ed Effetti Sulla Salute del Particolato Atmosferico (In Italian), In Il Particolato Fine in Atmosfera, 139-156, CIPA SRL: CIPA SRL, Milan Italy
2006
Giugliano, M., Cernuschi, S. (Eds.) Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Doraiswamy, P., Chen, L.-W.A., Tropp, R. J. (2006). PM measurements, modeling regulatory status, and health effects, In Il Particolato Fine in Atmosfera: 60th Corso di aggiornamento in Ingegneria Sanitaria-Ambientale, 8-1-8-17, Politecnico di Milano: Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Lowenthal, D. H., Chen, L.-W.A., Tropp, R. J., Park, K., Magliano, K. (2006). PM2.5 and PM10 mass measurements in California’s San Joaquin Valley, Aerosol Sci.Technol., 40, 796-810
2005
Engelbrecht, J. P., Kuhns, H. D., Green, M. C., Tropp, R. J., Watson, J. G. (2005). MANE-VU, Source Apportionment Analysis of Air Quality Monitoring Data: Phase II. Final Report, 71 pp., plus Appendices, March, 2005.
2004
Engelbrecht, J. P., Tropp, R. J., Kuhns, H. D., Green, M. C., Watson, J. G. (2004). Source Apportionment Analysis of Air Quality Monitoring Data: Phase II, Final Report to Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Visibility Union and Midwest Regional Planning Organization, April 2004.
2003
Engelbrecht, J. P., Kuhns, H. D., Tropp, R. J. (2003). Source Apportionment Analysis of Air Quality Monitoring Data: Phase II, Report prepared for the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Visibility Union and Midwest Regional Planning Organization, December 2003.
2002
Fraser, M. P., Yue, Z. W., Tropp, R. J., Kohl, S. D., Chow, J. C. (2002). Molecular Composition of Organic Fine Particulate Matter in Houston, TX, Atmos. Environ., 36 (8), 5751-5758
Engelbrecht, J. P., Kuhns, H. D., Tropp, R. J. (2002). Source Apportionment Analysis of Air Quality Monitoring Data: Phase II, Report prepared for the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Vises Union and Midwest Regional Planning Organization. December 2002.
1998
Tropp, R. J., Kohl, S. D., Chow, J. C., Frazier, C. (1998). Final report for the Texas PM 2.5 sampling and analysis study, Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV
Conference Proceedings
2019
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Tropp, R. J. (2019). Elements of Quality Control and Quality Assurance Programs, Short Course at Air Pollution Conference Brazil and 4th Annual CMAS South America: Belo Horizonte, Brazil, July 25, 2019
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Tropp, R. J. (2019). Elements of Quality Control and Quality Assurance Programs, Workshop at National Nuclear Energy Agency: Bandung, Indonesia, October 2, 2019
2018
Wang, X., Chow, J. C., Daub, B. J., Gronstal, S. B., Chen, L.-W.A., Tropp, R. J., Green, M. C., Watson, J. G. (2018). Estimation of Brown Carbon in PM2.5 Samples from IMPROVE and CSN Networks, National Ambient Air Monitoring Conference: Portland, OR, August 13, 2018-August 16, 2018
2017
Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A. (2017). Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and Data Quality Assessment of EPA’s PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Network (CSN) Derived from Six Collocated CSN Sites for the Period 2010-2013, Air & Waste Management Association Conference on Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology: Long Beach, CA, November 7, 2017-November 9, 2017, Extended Abstract No. ME54.
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Tropp, R. J. (2017). Elements of Quality Control and Quality Assurance Programs, Workshop on Tools for Regional Air Quality Management: Guangzhou, China
Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A., Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G. (2017). Quality Assurance/Quality Control of Air Quality Measurements, PMEH Symposium on Air Quality Management, Ambient Monitoring, Laboratory Analysis, Source and Receptor Modeling, and Quality Assurance: Lagos, Nigeria
Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A., Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G. (2017). Air Quality Management Strategies: Multiple Pollutants and Multiple Effects, PMEH Symposium on Air Quality Management, Ambient Monitoring, Laboratory Analysis, Source and Receptor Modeling, and Quality Assurance: Lagos, Nigeria
Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A., Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G. (2017). How to define and establish Particulate Matter (PM) sampling systems?, PMEH Symposium on Air Quality Management, Ambient Monitoring, Laboratory Analysis, Source and Receptor Modeling, and Quality Assurance: Lagos, Nigeria
Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A., Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G. (2017). How to establish PM laboratory analysis capacity?, PMEH Symposium on Air Quality Management, Ambient Monitoring, Laboratory Analysis, Source and Receptor Modeling, and Quality Assurance: Lagos, Nigeria
Chen, L.-W.A., Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J. (2017). Properties and Effects of Airborne PMs, PMEH Symposium on Air Quality Management, Ambient Monitoring, Laboratory Analysis, Source and Receptor Modeling, and Quality Assurance: Lagos, Nigeria
2016
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Tropp, R. J. (2016). Testing Assumptions of Mass Reconstruction Methods to Evaluate and Interpret PM Chemical Speciation Measurements, 2016 National Ambient Air Monitoring Conference: St. Louis, MO, August 8, 2016-August 11, 2016
Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A. (2016). Positive Matrix Factorization and Data Quality Assessment of EPA’s PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Network (CSN) Derived from Six Collocated CSN Sites for the Period 2010-2013, A&WMA International Specialty Conference, Atmospheric Optics: Aerosols, Visibility, and the Radiative Balance: Jackson Hole, WY, September 30, 2016
Tropp, R. J. (2016). Data Quality Assessment of EPA’s PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Network (CSN) Derived from Six Collocated CSN Sites in 2013, Proceedings of the A&WMA’s 109th Annual Conference and Exhibition: New Orleans, LA, June 20, 2016-June 23, 2016, Extended Abstract #1098.
2014
Tropp, R. J., Trimble, D. L., Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G. (2014). Determining the Causes of Filter Color variation after IMPROVE – A Carbon Analysis, Paper #33577 in Proceedings of the Air & Waste Management Association: Long Beach, CA, June 24, 2014
Tropp, R. J., Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G. (2014). Improved Optical and Chemical Characterization Methods for PM2.5 Source Apportionment, Presented at EPA: Atlanta, GA, August 11, 2014
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Tropp, R. J. (2014). Quality Assurance/Quality Control of Air Quality Measurements, Invited plenary presentation, The 4th International Workshop on Regional Air Quality Improvement: Hong Kong, China, January 14, 2014
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Wang, X., Kohl, S. D. (2014). Standards and Traceability for Multipollutant Air Quality Measurements, Presented at the Workshop on PM2.5 Measurements for Air Quality Management: Hong Kong, China, January 17, 2014
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Wang, X., Kohl, S. D. (2014). Air Quality Management Strategies: Multiple Pollutants and Multiple Effects, Proceedings of the The Workshop on PM2.5 Measurements for Air Quality Management: Hong Kong, China, January 17, 2014
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Wang, X., Kohl, S. D. (2014). Standards and Traceability for Multipollutant Air Quality Measurements, . Presented at the University of Ulsan: Ulsan, South Korea, September 3, 2014
2013
Tropp, R. J., Wang, X., Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Kohl, S. D., Chen, L.-W.A. (2013). Particulate Matter Standards and Traceability for the Quality Assurance and Quality Control of Air Quality Measurements, . In Proceedings of Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology, Air & Waste Management Association: Sacramento, CA, November 19, 2013
Tropp, R. J., Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Wang, X., Kohl, S. D., Chen, L.-W.A. (2013). The Importance of Standards and Traceability for the Quality Assurance and Quality Control of Air Quality Measurements, In Proceedings of the 16th International Union of Air Pollution prevention and Environmental Protection Associations (IUAPPA) Congress: Cape Town, South Africa, September 29, 2013-October 4, 2013
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Wang, X., Kohl, S. D. (2013). Standards and Traceability for Air Quality Measurements, 8th International Conference on Advances in Meteorology one-day workshop on Chemical Meteorology: Challenges and Opportunities in Gases & Aerosols: Delhi, India, February 20, 2013
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Tropp, R. J., Wang, X., Kohl, S. D., Chen, L.-W.A. (2013). Standards and Traceability for Multi-pollutant Air Quality Measurements, Presented at The Workshop on PM2.5 and Multi-pollutant/Multi-effect Air Quality Management, National Cheng Kung University: Tainan, Taiwan, April 16, 2013
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Wang, X., Kohl, S. D. (2013). Air Quality Measurement Standardization and Traceability, Presented at The 11th China Aerosol Conference and 10th Cross-Strait Aerosol Conference: Wuhan, China, May 17, 2013
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Wang, X., Kohl, S. D. (2013). Air Quality Measurement Standardization and Traceability, Presented at East China University of Science and Technology: Shanghai, China, September 27, 2013
Tropp, R. J. (2013). Environmental Sampling: Advances, Challenges, and Implications, Invited Plenary Speaker. 13th International Congress on Combustion By-Products and their Health Effects: New Orleans, LA, May 15, 2013
Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., Tropp, R. J., Wang, X., Kohl, S. D., Chen, L.-W.A. (2013). Standards and Traceability for Multi-pollutant Air Quality Measurements. Presented at The Workshop on PM2.5 and Multi-pollutant/Multi-effect Air Quality Management, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan: Taiwan, April 16, 2013
Tropp, R. J., Chen, L.-W.A., Sullivan, D. W., Price, J. H. (2013). Chemical Speciation and Source Attribution Studies Lead to Voluntary Measures that Successfully Reduce Neighborhood PM2.5 Levels North of the Houston Ship Channel, Extended Abstract #13020, In Proceedings for the Air & Waste Management Association: Chicago, IL, June 25, 2013
2012
Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Tropp, R. J. (2012). Technical Challenges in Air Quality Monitoring Quality Control/Quality Assurance, Presentation at Better Air Quality Symposium: Hong Kong, SAR, December 4, 2012
Price, J. H., Lambeth, B., Sheedy, K., Savanich, S., Sullivan, D. W., Tropp, R. J. (2012). Success in Reducing PM2.5 in the Neighborhood North of the Houston Ship Channel – Voluntary Efforts Based on Field Study Results and Source Attribution, Extended Abstract #116 Presentation at Air & Waste Management Association ‘s Aerosol and Atmospheric Optics Visibility and Air Pollution Conference: Whitefish, MT, September 24, 2012
2008
Flanagan, J. B., Peterson, M. R., Jayanty, R. K., Tropp, R. J. (2008). Data quality issues for speciation measurements of coarse particulate matter, 322-329, Symposium on Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology 2008: Chapel Hill, NC, November 3, 2008-November 6, 2008
2005
Engelbrecht, J. P., Tropp, R. J., Kuhns, H. D., Green, M. C., Watson, J. G. (2005). Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) Receptor Modeling Applied to IMPROVE Data Sets from the Northeastern USA, American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR) International Specialty Conference: Atlanta, GA, February 8, 2005
2004
Engelbrecht, J. P., Tropp, R. J. (2004). A PCA and PMF Study on Speciation Data from Big Bend National Park, Air and Waste Management Association (A&WMA) Symposium on Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology: Research Triangle Park, NC, April 22, 2004
Engelbrecht, J. P., Tropp, R. J., Kuhns, H. D., Watson, J. G. (2004). Principal Components Analysis (PCA) of Chemical Data from Four IMPROVE Sites in the Northeastern USA, Air and Waste Management Association (A&WMA) Meeting: Indianapolis, IN, June 22, 2004-June 25, 2004
Tropp, R. J., Engelbrecht, J. P., Kohl, S. D., Lowenthal, D. H., DuBois, D. W., Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Countess, R. J., Countess, S. J., Michel, E. L. (2004). Assessment of PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Results for Texas, Air and Waste Management Association (A&WMA) Symposium on Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology: Research Triangle Park, NC, April 22, 2004
Tropp, R. J., Kohl, S. D., Dickerson, A., Cristani, B. G., Chow, J. C., Countess, R. J., Countess, S. J., Flanagan, J. B., Michel, E. L. (2004). Quality assessment of EPA PM2.5 chemical speciation results for Texas, Proceedings of the Symposium on Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology–2004: Research Triangle Park, NC, April 20, 2004-April 22, 2004, Paper No. 40
2003
Engelbrecht, J. P., Tropp, R. J., Kuhns, H. D., Green, M. C. (2003). Marama/MANE-VU Phase II Data Analysis, Marama/MANE-VU Data Analysis Workshop: Windsor Locks, CT, June 18, 2003-June 19, 2003
Engelbrecht, J. P., Tropp, R. J., Kuhns, H. D., Green, M. C. (2003). Source Apportionment Analysis of Air Quality Monitoring Data: Phase II, Marama/MANE-VU Science Meeting: Baltimore, MD, January 22, 2003
Other
2017
Winegar, E. D., Tropp, R. J. (Eds.) Winegar, E. D., Tropp, R. J. (2017). Proceedings of the Air & Waste Management Association’s Conference on Air Quality Measurement Methods and Technology: Long Beach, CA, November 7, 2017-November 9, 2017
