Grantee Research Project Results
Distribution of H+ and Trace Metals in Ultrafine Ambient Aerosol
EPA Grant Number: R824791Title: Distribution of H+ and Trace Metals in Ultrafine Ambient Aerosol
Investigators:
Institution: New York University School of Medicine
Current Institution: New York University Medical Center
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: October 1, 1995 through September 30, 1998
Project Amount: $589,560
RFA: Air Pollutants (1995) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Air
Description:
There is a growing body of epidemiological data indicating consistent and coherent associations between ambient particulate matter (PM) and excess mortality and morbidity. Recent epidemiological evidence strongly suggests that ambient particle associated acidity is more closely correlated with total mortality than indices of total particulate mass. In addition, evidence is accumulating to support the hypothesis that the number of ultrafine acid particles, rather than ambient mass, is an important determining factor affecting lung injury.Over 90% of all airborne particles are generally found in nuclei less than 50 nm in diameter. However, no data are currently available on the number concentration of acidic ambient ultrafine particles largely because there are no suitable methods for measuring this important quantity. We propose to develop a method to measure the number concentration of ambient acidic particles with d less than 50 nm. Ultra-thin metal film acidic particle detectors will be developed and calibrated. They will form the basis for a field sampling system (FSS) for nuclei mode particles and a personal acid aerosol monitor (PAAM) for ultrafine (d<100 nm) ambient acid particles. The personal monitor will be small and lightweight designed to be worn by an individual. The FSS will be designed to simultaneously sample ambient acid nuclei for evaluation of the metal content since metals can provide catalytic surfaces for reactive substances, both in air and in the lung. They also can serve as tracers to help identify sources.
Using an optimized prototype of a field-ready version, we will measure the distribution of H+ and trace metals in the nuclei mode of the ambient aerosol in various representative samples of the relatively clean regional background air in Tuxedo, NY, including air masses originating in three major upwind regions in the midwest, southeast, and eastern Canada.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 13 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
air, ambient air, atmosphere, tropospheric, exposure, particulates, epidemiology, monitoring, measurement methods, New York, NY, Region 2., RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Air, Geographic Area, International, EPA Region, Risk Assessments, State, Chemistry, particulate matter, Environmental Chemistry, Epidemiology, Atmospheric Sciences, aerosols, ambient aerosol, atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric transport, fine particles, lung inflammation, mortality, human exposure, morbidity, epidemiological studies, exposure, particulates, tropospheric ozone, New York (NY), metals, acid particles, Canada, Region 2, ambient measurement methodsProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.