Physical and Chemical Characterization of Atmospheric Ultrafine Particles in the Los Angeles Area

Abstract

Atmospheric ultrafine particles (diameter < 0.1 μm) are under study by inhalation toxicologists to determine whether they pose a threat to public health, yet, little is known about the chemical composition of ultrafine particles in the atmosphere of cities. In the present work, the number concentration, size distribution, and chemical composition of atmospheric ultrafine particles is determined under wintertime conditions in Pasadena, CA, near Los Angeles. These experiments are conducted using a scanning differential mobility analyzer, laser optical counter, and two micro-orifice impactors. Samples are analyzed to create a material balance on the chemical composition of the ultrafine particles. The number concentration of ultrafine particles in the size range 0.017 < d_p < 0.1 μm, analyzed over 24-h periods, is found to be consistently in the range 1.3 × 10^4 ± 8.9 × 10^3 particles cm^(-3) air. Ultrafine particle mass concentrations are in the range 0.80−1.58 μg m^(-3). Organic compounds are the largest contributors to the ultrafine particle mass concentration. A small amount of sulfate is present in these particles, at concentrations too low to tell whether it exists as unneutralized sulfuric acid. Iron is the most prominent transition metal found in the ultrafine particles. These data may assist the health effects research community in constructing realistic animal or human exposure studies involving ultrafine particles.