Strong correlations have been identified between the increase of particulate matter in air and adverse health effects.  Epidemiological studies have shown that the health effects are attributed to a specific size range of particulate matter found in the atmosphere, namely PM2.5.   Many toxicological studies involving animal exposures require higher concentrations of particulate matter to induce measurable health effects in an observable time.  This is achieved by applying water condensation technology to atmospheric particles, followed by virtual impaction and re-drying.   A time of flight aerosol mass spectrometer (TOF-AMS) is used to measure the physical and chemical properties of the particles before and after the concentrating process.  Particle size distributions and degree of oxygenation are compared for ambient air and concentrated samples, focusing on organic components. The toxicological implications will be discussed.

Impact of a particle concentrator on physical and chemical properties

245th National Meeting (2013)

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