Studies of the health effects of particulate matter often utilize particle concentrators to generate higher particle concentrations that induce measurable effects.  These particle concentrators typically expose ambient particles to (1) particle growth using water vapor condensation, (2) virtual impaction to separate particles from gases by inertia, and (3) particle drying to remove excess water.  Additional impactors are often used after drying to assess health effects specific to particle diameter, for example due to fine or ultrafine particles.  Some of the operating conditions of a particle concentrator were varied to determine the impacts on the size and composition of particle output.  High resolution aerosol mass spectrometry was used to measure particle diameter and composition under changes in operating conditions such as water temperature in the growth stage and the use of impactors downstream of the particle concentrator.  Results will be presented and the implications for health effects studies discussed.

Sensitivity of a particle concentrator output to operating conditions

245th National Meeting (2013)

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