Grantee Research Project Results

A Study of the Gas/Particle Partitioning of Chlorinated Dibenzodioxins (CDDs) and Chlorinated Dibenzofurans (CDFs) to Ambient and Model Aerosol Materials

EPA Grant Number: R825376
Title: A Study of the Gas/Particle Partitioning of Chlorinated Dibenzodioxins (CDDs) and Chlorinated Dibenzofurans (CDFs) to Ambient and Model Aerosol Materials
Investigators: Pankow, James F.
Institution: Oregon Graduate Institute of Science & Technology
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: October 1, 1996 through September 30, 1999
Project Amount: $466,448
RFA: Exploratory Research - Air Engineering (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Land and Waste Management , Air , Safer Chemicals

Description:

EPA (1994b) has reaffirmed the toxicities of certain chlorinated dibenzodioxins (CDDs) and chlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs), and has concluded that some in the population may already be experiencing associated health problems. Since 85% of the environmental load of these compounds is released to the atmosphere by incinerators and other sources, human exposure is due mainly to contamination of foods by atmospheric deposition from the gas (G) and particulate (P) phases. Since gases and particles deposit to surfaces at different rates, understanding how CDDs and CDFs partition between the G and P phases in the ambient atmosphere is very important (EPA, 1994b). This process also affects deposition to "Great Waters".

This project will provide a comprehensive study of how these toxic and difficult-to-work with compounds partition between the G and P phases in the atmosphere using three research components:

"controlled field experiments" (CFEs), a new type of sampling experiment which will be held at constant T and RH, and conducted in several large cities ( Portland, Denver, Chicago) and one rural location (Tennessee) over a range of T and RH conditions;
conventional high-volume filter/sorbent air sampling along with CFEs; and
laboratory sorption experiments carried out using model atmospheric materials (quartz, graphitic carbon, ammonium sulfate, flyash, diesel particulate material, and NIST standard UPM) to provide theoretical guidance and general interpretive support.

In addition, the importance of adsorption and absorption as G/P partitioning mechanisms will be determined.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 5 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 5 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Air, Water, particulate matter, air toxics, Environmental Chemistry, Risk Assessments, Air Deposition, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Biology, monitoring, dioxin, ambient aerosol, gas/particle partitioning, particulates, exposure and effects, food chain, toxicology, air sampling, human exposure, furans

Progress 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.