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DIESEL PARTICLE GENERATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND DIRECT ANIMAL EXPOSURE STUDIES
Citation:
LINAK, W. P., C. A. MILLER, M. IAN I. GILMOUR, P. SINGH, Q. T. KRANTZ, J. O. WENDT, C. KING, AND D. SANTOIANNI. DIESEL PARTICLE GENERATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND DIRECT ANIMAL EXPOSURE STUDIES. Presented at 9th International Congress on Combustion By-Products and Their Health Effects, Tucson, AZ, June 12 - 15, 2005.
Description:
Inhalation of diesel exhaust is associated with the development of asthma as well as other adverse health effects. Studies have also demonstrated that diesel exhaust induces pulmonary changes that worsen asthmatic responses to respiratory allergens. This paper describes the design and construction of a diesel exhaust generation and whole animal inhalation exposure facility. This experimental system currently consists of a stationary 30 kW 4-cylinder Deutz diesel engine coupled to a 22.3 kW Saylor Bell air compressor to provide an adjustable engine load. Diesel emissions are extracted from the exhaust manifold, diluted with filtered room air, and directed to three 0.5 m3 Hinners whole animal exposure chambers, configured to examine variable diesel particle concentrations (0.2-1.0 mg/m3), engine gas emissions filtered of particles, and filtered room air (control). Diesel exhaust not directed to the animal exposure chambers is passed through a small baghouse where gram quantities of particles can be collected for subsequent analysis. To-date, four diesel emission studies have been conducted. These studies have examined a number of diesel particle concentrations, exposure durations, and animal models, and have attempted to maintain constant engine operation, fuel, and load. In addition to temperature, pressure, humidity, noise level, and gas concentrations (O2, CO2, CO, NO, and SO2), the chamber environment has been characterized for particle mass (TEOM, M-29), particle number, and size distribution. Extracted PM samples from the chambers and baghouse have been characterized for elemental/organic carbon and extractable organic mass and by sequential solvent extraction, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. This paper will describe the design and operation of this facility as well as present preliminary physical, chemical, and toxicological data from these first studies.