Formation of secondary organic material from gaseous precursors in wood smoke

The apportionment of the contribution of wood smoke emitted particles to the total concentration of particulate matter in a region has been greatly aided by the development of new analytical methods. These analytical methods quantitatively determine organic marker compounds unique to wood combustion such as levoglucosan and dehydroabietic acid. These markers have generally been determined in 24-hour averaged samples. We have developed an instrument based on the collection of particles on an inert filter, desorption of the organic material in an inert atmosphere with subsequent GC separation and MS detection of the desorbed compounds. The GC-MS Organic Aerosol Monitor (OAM) instrument has been used in three field studies. An unexpected finding from these studies was the quantification of the contribution of secondary organic aerosols from gases present in wood smoke in addition to primary wood smoke emitted particles. The identification of this secondary material was made possible by the collection of hourly averaged data that allowed for the time patterns of black carbon, organic material, and wood smoke marker compounds to be included and compared in a Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis. Most of the organic markers associated with wood smoke (levoglucosan, stearic acid and dehydroabietic acid) are associated with primary wood smoke emissions, but a fraction of the levoglucosan and stearic acid are also associated with secondary organic material formed from gaseous precursors in wood smoke. Additionally, this secondary material was shown to be present in each in of the three urban area where wood smoke burning occurs. There is a need for additional studies to better understand the contribution of secondary particulate formation from both urban and wildfires.Implications: This paper presents results from three field studies which show that in addition to the formation of primary particulate matter from the combustion of wood smoke and secondary particulate matter is also formed from the gaseous compounds emitted with the wood smoke. This material is identified in the studies of wood combustion reported here by the identification and quantification of specific organic marker compounds related to wood combustion and is shown to and represents a contributor nearly as large as the primary emitted material and better quantifying the impact of wood combustion on airborne fine particulate matter.

Apportionment of PM2.5 adjacent to the I-710 Harbor Freeway in Long Beach, CA

During August and September 2012, a study was conducted to determine the sources of PM2.5 adjacent to the I-710 Long Beach Freeway. The site is directly affected by the emissions from heavy diesel traffic flowing from major container ports about 10 km south of the sampling site. Hourly average data were obtained for particulate species including PM2.5, black carbon and UV absorbing carbon, EC, fine particulate nonvolatile and semi-volatile organic material (NVOM and SVOM), sulfate, nitrate, chloride, ammonium ion, and Na ion, and for related factors including O3, CO, NOX, SO2, and total traffic flow on the I-710. A total of 520 hourly averaged data sets with 15 measured variables were analyzed by EPA-PMF v5.0. The data were best described by a 10-factor solution. Based on the composition and diurnal patterns of the factors, they were assigned to three diesel-related factors (two of which appeared to represent traffic from the ports and one general freeway diesel factor), a light-duty, spark-ignition vehicle-related factor, three secondary factors (one of which was associated with O3 formation processes), and three factors dominated by sulfate, SO2, and chloride, respectively. The diurnal patterns for these last three factors are strongly correlated. Meteorological and refinery upset data indicate that they are associated with emissions from a nearby refinery. The results of the PMF analysis were combined with nephelometer light scattering, corrected for coarse particle scattering and estimated aerosol water content in a multilinear regression analysis to identify visibility degradation sources. Major contributors were the aerosol water content, and the secondary PMF factors associated with either Nitrate and NVOM or NVOM and SVOM. The use of hourly average data made possible the identification of factors associated with gasoline vehicle emissions and both port and non-port diesel emissions.Implications: Hourly averaged data were obtained for PM_2.5, its components and factors related to primary emissions and the formation of secondary material at a near freeway sampling location adjacent to the I-710 freeway just south of the Long Beach Boulevard entrance and 10 km north of the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The major objective of the study was to determine the impact of traffic from the ports at the monitoring site. This manuscript reports on the PMF analysis of the data set. Factors related to both diesel traffic originating from the ports and diesel traffic from non-port origins were identified. The diesel traffic originating from the ports was responsible for 9% of the total traffic and 95% of the BC measured at the sampling site. The non-port diesel traffic was responsible for 15% of the total traffic and 5% of the BC. While the Port 1 diesel traffic coming from the ports contributed a large fraction of the BC, this source contributed only 2% of the CO and 5% of the NO_X at the sampling site. The impact of these traffic sources on light scattering was also small. Analysis of sources of sulfate and SO₂ at the sampling site indicated that these species did not come from port activities of ships at or approaching the port, but rather from upset flare events at a nearby oil refinery.

Use of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry organic aerosol monitor for in-field detection of fine particulate organic compounds in source apportionment

A study was conducted on the Brigham Young University campus during January and February 2015 to identify winter-time sources of fine particulate material in Utah Valley, Utah. Fine particulate mass and components and related gas-phase species were all measured on an hourly averaged basis. Light scattering was also measured during the study. Included in the sampling was the first-time source apportionment application of a new monitoring instrument for the measurement of fine particulate organic marker compounds on an hourly averaged basis. Organic marker compounds measured included levoglucosan, dehydroabietic acid, stearic acid, pyrene, and anthracene. A total of 248 hourly averaged data sets were available for a positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis of sources of both primary and secondary fine particulate material. A total of nine factors were identified. The presence of wood smoke emissions was associated with levoglucosan, dehydroabietic acid, and pyrene markers. Fine particulate secondary nitrate, secondary organic material, and wood smoke accounted for 90% of the fine particulate material. Fine particle light scattering was dominated by sources associated with wood smoke and secondary ammonium nitrate with associated modeled fine particulate water.

IMPLICATIONS

The identification of sources and secondary formation pathways leading to observed levels of PM_2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynmaic diameter <2.5 μm) is important in making regulatory decisions on pollution control. The use of organic marker compounds in this assessment has proven useful; however, data obtained on a daily, or longer, sampling schedule limit the value of the information because diurnal changes associated with emissions and secondary aerosol formation cannot be identified. A new instrument, the gas chromtography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) organic aerosol monitor, allows for the determination on these compounds on an hourly averaged basis. The demonstrated potential value of hourly averaged data in a source apportionment analysis indicates that significant improvement in the data used for making regulatory decisions is possible.

Composition and secondary formation of fine particulate matter in the Salt Lake Valley: winter 2009

Under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), put in place as a result of the Clean Air Amendments of 1990, three regions in the state of Utah are in violation of the NAAQS for PM10 and PM2.5 (Salt Lake County, Ogden City, and Utah County). These regions are susceptible to strong inversions that can persist for days to weeks. This meteorology, coupled with the metropolitan nature of these regions, contributes to its violation of the NAAQS for PM during the winter. During January-February 2009, 1-hr averaged concentrations of PM10-2.5, PM2.5, NO(x), NO2, NO, O3, CO, and NH3 were measured. Particulate-phase nitrate, nitrite, and sulfate and gas-phase HONO, HNO3, and SO2 were also measured on a 1-hr average basis. The results indicate that ammonium nitrate averages 40% of the total PM2.5 mass in the absence of inversions and up to 69% during strong inversions. Also, the formation of ammonium nitrate is nitric acid limited. Overall, the lower boundary layer in the Salt Lake Valley appears to be oxidant and volatile organic carbon (VOC) limited with respect to ozone formation. The most effective way to reduce ammonium nitrate secondary particle formation during the inversions period is to reduce NO(x) emissions. However, a decrease in NO(x) will increase ozone concentrations. A better definition of the complete ozone isopleths would better inform this decision. Implications: Monitoring of air pollution constituents in Salt Lake City, UT, during periods in which PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the NAAQS, reveals that secondary aerosol formation for this region is NO(x) limited. Therefore, NO(x) emissions should be targeted in order to reduce secondary particle formation and PM2.5. Data also indicate that the highest concentrations of sulfur dioxide are associated with winds from the north-northwest, the location of several small refineries.

Measurement of light scattering in an urban area with a nephelometer and PM2.5 FDMS TEOM monitor: accounting for the effect of water

The US. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a new secondary standard based on visibility in urban areas. The proposed standard will be based on light extinction, calculated from 24-hr averaged measurements. It would be desirable to base the standard on a shorter averaging time to better represent human perception of visibility This could be accomplished by either an estimation of extinction from semicontinuous particulate matter (PM) data or direct measurement of scattering and absorption. To this end we have compared 1-hr measurements of fine plus coarse particulate scattering using a nephelometer along with an estimate of absorption from aethalometer measurements. The study took place in Lindon, UT, during February and March 2012. The nephelometer measurements were corrected for coarse particle scattering and compared to the Filter Dynamic Measurement System (FDMS) tapered element oscillating microbalance monitor (TEOM) PM2.5 measurements. The two measurements agreed with a mass scattering coefficient of 3.3 +/- 0.3 m2/g at relative humidity below 80%. However at higher humidity, the nephelometer gave higher scattering results due to water absorbed by ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate in the particles. This particle-associated water is not measured by the FDMS TEOM. The FDMS TEOM data could be corrected for this difference using appropriate IMPROVE protocols if the particle composition is known. However a better approach may be to use a particle measurement system that allows for semicontinuous measurements but also measures particle bound water Data are presented from a 2003 study in Rubidoux, CA, showing how this could be accomplished using a Grimm model 1100 aerosol spectrometer or comparable instrument.

Design and characterization of a two-stage human subject exposure chamber

A human subject exposure chamber, designed to hold six to eight subjects, coupled to an approximately 30-m3 Teflon reaction bag was designed and built to provide exposures that mimic the production and photochemical oxidation of atmospheric pollutants resulting from the combustion of coal or wood from a stove. The combustion products are introduced into the Teflon bag under atmospheric conditions. Photochemical oxidation of this mixture is accomplished by exposure to tropospheric sun-like radiation from an array of ultraviolet and black lamps. The aerosol in the Teflon reaction bag is then transferred into the exposure room to maintain a constant, lower exposure level. Continuous and semicontinuous monitoring of the gas and particulate matter (PM) pollution in the exposure room and the reaction bag is accomplished using a suite of instruments. This suite of instruments allows for the measurement of the concentrations of total and nonvolatile PM, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ozone. The concentration of the particles was monitored by an R&P tapered element oscillating microbalance monitor. The chemical composition of the PM and its morphological characterization is accomplished by collecting samples in filter packs and conducting ion chromatography, elemental X-ray fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The concentration and composition of emissions from combustion of wood and coal is described. The results of this study suggest that although the bulk compositions of particulate emissions from the combustion of coal or wood in a stove have many similarities, the wood smoke aerosol is photochemically reactive, whereas the coal smoke aerosol is not.

Vascular function and short-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution

Exposure to fine particulate air pollution has been implicated as a risk factor for cardiopulmonary disease and mortality. Proposed biological pathways imply that particle-induced pulmonary and systemic inflammation play a role in activating the vascular endothelium and altering vascular function. Potential effects of fine particulate pollution on vascular function are explored using controlled chamber exposure and uncontrolled ambient exposure. Research subjects included four panels with a total of 26 healthy nonsmoking young adults. On two study visits, at least 7 days apart, subjects spent 3 hr in a controlled-exposure chamber exposed to 150-200 microg/m3 of fine particles generated from coal or wood combustion and 3 hr in a clean room, with exposure and nonexposure periods alternated between visits. Baseline, postexposure, and post-clean room reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) was conducted. A microvascular responsiveness index, defined as the log of the RH-PAT ratio, was calculated. There was no contemporaneous vascular response to the few hours of controlled exposure. Declines in vascular response were associated with elevated ambient exposures for the previous 2 days, especially for female subjects. Cumulative exposure to real-life fine particulate pollution may affect vascular function. More research is needed to determine the roles of age and gender, the effect of pollution sources, the importance of cumulative exposure over a few days versus a few hours, and the lag time between exposure and response.

Semicontinuous PM2.5 and PM10 mass and composition measurements in Lindon, Utah, during winter 2007

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is promoting the development and application of sampling methods for the semicontinuous determination of fine particulate matter (PM2.5, particles with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 microm) mass and chemical composition. Data obtained with these methods will significantly improve the understanding of the primary sources, chemical conversion processes, and meteorological atmospheric processes that lead to observed PM2.5 concentrations and will aid in the understanding of the etiology of PM2.5-related health effects. During January and February 2007, several semicontinuous particulate matter (PM) monitoring systems were compared at the Utah State Lindon Air Quality Sampling site. Semicontinuous monitors included instruments to measure total PM2.5 mass (filter dynamic measurement system [FDMS] tapered element oscillating microbalance [TEOM], GRIMM), nonvolatile PM2.5 mass (TEOM), sulfate and nitrate (two PM2.5 and one PM10 [PM with an aerodynamic diameter <10 microm] ion-chromatographic-based samplers), and black carbon (aethalometer). PM10 semicontinuous mass measurements were made with GRIMM and TEOM instruments. These measurements were all made on a 1-hr average basis. Source apportionment analysis indicated that sources impacting the site were mainly urban sources and included mobile sources (gasoline and diesel) and residential burning of wood, with some elevated concentrations because of the effect of winter inversions. The FDMS TEOM and GRIMM instruments were in good agreement, but TEOM monitor measurements were low because of the presence of significant semi-volatile material. Semi-volatile mass was present dominantly in the PM2.5 mass.

Review of recent advances in detection of organic markers in fine particulate matter and their use for source apportionment

Fine particulate matter is believed to be more toxic than coarse particles and to exacerbate health problems such as respiratory and cardiopulmonary diseases. Specific organic compounds within atmospheric fine particulate material can be used to differentiate specific inputs from various emissions and thus is helpful in identifying the major urban air pollution sources that contribute to these health problems. Particular marker compounds that carry signature information about different emission sources (i.e., gasoline or diesel motor vehicles, wood smoke, meat cooking, vegetative detritus, and cigarette smoke) are reviewed. Aerosol organic types (e.g., from mass spectrometry data, which can also help in elucidation of carbonaceous material sources) are also discussed. Apportionment of the primary source contributions and atmospheric processes contributing to fine particulate matter and fine particulate organic material concentrations are outlined. This review provides an overview of the latest developments in chemical characterization approaches for identification and quantification of compounds in complex organic mixtures associated with fine atmospheric particles and their use in chemical mass balance (CMB) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) source apportionment models.

Apportioning visibility degradation to sources of PM2.5 using positive matrix factorization

Intensive monitoring studies of aerosol have been conducted in two regions of California with poor air quality. Winter monitoring in the Fresno area was conducted in December 2003. Two summer samplings were collected from the eastern Los Angeles Basin, from Rubidoux in 2003 and Riverside in 2005. All three of these studies featured a suite of semicontinuous aerosol monitors. The speciated aerosol data with continuous gaseous measurements from these studies were combined with continuous Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) measurements of visibility and extinction from nearby airports and modeled aerosol water content to conduct source apportionment analyses. The data were analyzed using three different techniques. A conventional positive matrix factorization (PMF) method was used. Then a novel approach was used that coupled PMF with added extinction and modeled water data. Another technique involved integrating conventional PMF with linear regression to obtain the extinction associated with each source. The novel PMF with added extinction and modeled water data provided the most robust results. The Fresno winter study was meteorologically characterized by stagnant conditions, a shallow mixing height, and intermittent periods of fog and low clouds. Six factors were identified using PMF. The secondary nitrate and gasoline mobile combustion emission associated sources exhibited the highest extinction coefficients. PMF also identified six factors in the summer 2003 study at Rubidoux. The secondary nitrate and the ozone-related secondary semi-volatile organic material (SVOM) sources exhibited the highest extinction levels. Water associated with the aerosols plays an important role because of the marine influence and stratus clouds typically occurring in the basin during the summer months. The summer of 2005 study in Riverside lead to the identification of 11 sources. The highest contributors to extinction are associated with material transported across the basin, the relative humidity secondary source, followed by secondary nitrate.

Modifications to the sunset laboratory carbon aerosol monitor for the simultaneous measurement of PM2.5 nonvolatile and semi-volatile carbonaceous material

Semi-volatile organic carbonaceous material (SVOC) in fine particles is not reliably measured with conventional semicontinuous carbon monitors because semi-volatile carbonaceous material is lost from the collection media during sample collection. Two modifications of a Sunset Laboratory carbon aerosol monitor allowing for the determination of semi-volatile fine particulate organic material are described. Collocated conventional and modified instruments were operated simultaneously using a common inlet. Comparisons were made with integrated PC-BOSS data for quartz filter retained nonvolatile organic carbon (NVOC) and elemental carbon (EC), SVOC, and total carbon (TC = SVOC + NVOC + EC) and good agreement was observed between TC concentrations during studies conducted in Rubidoux, CA. Precision of the comparison was sigma = +/-1.5 microg-C/m3 (+/-8%). On the basis of experiments performed with the modified Sunset monitor, a dual-oven Sunset monitor was developed and extensively tested in Lindon, UT; Riverside, CA; and in environmental exposure chambers. The precision for the measurement of TC with the dual-oven instrument was sigma = +/-1.4 microg-C/m3 (+/-13%).

Aerosol measurement: the use of optical light scattering for the determination of particulate size distribution, and particulate mass, including the semi-volatile fraction

The GRIMM model 1.107 monitor is designed to measure particle size distribution and particulate mass based on a light scattering measurement of individual particles in the sampled air. The design and operation of the instrument are described. Protocols used to convert the measured size number distribution to a mass concentration consistent with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency protocols for measuring particulate matter (PM) less than 10 microm (PM10) and less than 2.5 microm (PM2.5) in aerodynamic diameter are described. The performance of the resulting continuous monitor has been evaluated by comparing GRIMM monitor PM2.5 measurements with results obtained by the Rupprecht and Patashnick Co. (R&P) filter dynamic measurement system (FDMS). Data were obtained during month-long studies in Rubidoux, CA, in July 2003 and in Fresno, CA, in December 2003. The results indicate that the GRIMM monitor does respond to total PM2.5 mass, including the semi-volatile components, giving results comparable to the FDMS. The data also indicate that the monitor can be used to estimate water content of the fine particles. However, if the inlet to the monitor is heated, then the instrument measures only the nonvolatile material, more comparable to results obtained with a conventional heated filter tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) monitor. A recent modification of the model 180, with a Nafion dryer at the inlet, measures total PM2.5 including the nonvolatile and semi-volatile components, but excluding fine particulate water. Model 180 was in agreement with FDMS data obtained in Lindon, UT, during January through February 2007.

Apportionment of primary and secondary organic aerosols in southern California during the 2005 study of organic aerosols in riverside (SOAR-1)

Ambient sampling was conducted in Riverside, California during the 2005 Study of Organic Aerosols in Riverside to characterize the composition and sources of organic aerosol using a variety of state-of-the-art instrumentation and source apportionmenttechniques. The secondary organic aerosol (SOA) mass is estimated by elemental carbon and carbon monoxide tracer methods, water soluble organic carbon content, chemical mass balance of organic molecular markers, and positive matrix factorization of high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometer data. Estimates obtained from each ofthese methods indicate that the organic fraction in ambient aerosol is overwhelmingly secondary in nature during a period of several weeks with moderate ozone concentrations and that SOA is the single largest component of PM1 aerosol in Riverside. Average SOA/OA contributions of 70-90% were observed during midday periods, whereas minimum SOA contributions of approximately 45% were observed during peak morning traffic periods. These results are contraryto previous estimates of SOAthroughout the Los Angeles Basin which reported that, other than during severe photochemical smog episodes, SOA was lower than primary OA. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.

Apportionment of ambient primary and secondary fine particulate matter at the Pittsburgh National Energy Laboratory particulate matter characterization site using positive matrix factorization and a potential source contributions function analysis

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations associated with 202 24-hr samples collected at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) particulate matter (PM) characterization site in south Pittsburgh from October 1999 through September 2001 were used to apportion PM2.5 into primary and secondary contributions using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF2). Input included the concentrations of PM2.5 mass determined with a Federal Reference Method (FRM) sampler, semi-volatile PM2.5 organic material, elemental carbon (EC), and trace element components of PM2.5. A total of 11 factors were identified. The results of potential source contributions function (PSCF) analysis using PMF2 factors and HYSPLIT-calculated back-trajectories were used to identify those factors associated with specific meteorological transport conditions. The 11 factors were identified as being associated with emissions from various specific regions and facilities including crustal material, gasoline combustion, diesel combustion, and three nearby sources high in trace metals. Three sources associated with transport from coal-fired power plants to the southeast, a combination of point sources to the northwest, and a steel mill and associated sources to the west were identified. In addition, two secondary-material-dominated sources were identified, one was associated with secondary products of local emissions and one was dominated by secondary ammonium sulfate transported to the NETL site from the west and southwest. Of these 11 factors, the four largest contributors to PM2.5 were the secondary transported material (dominated by ammonium sulfate) (47%), local secondary material (19%), diesel combustion emissions (10%), and gasoline combustion emissions (8%). The other seven factors accounted for the remaining 16% of the PM2.5 mass. The findings are consistent with the major source of PM2.5 in the Pittsburgh area being dominated by ammonium sulfate from distant transport and so decoupled from local activity emitting organic pollutants in the metropolitan area. In contrast, the major local secondary sources are dominated by organic material.

Comparison of speciation sampler and PC-BOSS fine particulate matter organic material results obtained in Lindon, Utah, during winter 2001-2002

The Particle Concentrator-Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System (PC-BOSS) has been previously verified as being capable of measuring total fine particulate matter (PM2.5), including semi-volatile species. The present study was conducted to determine if the simple modification of a commercial speciation sampler with a charcoal denuder followed by a filter pack containing a quartz filter and a charcoal-impregnated glass (CIG) fiber filter would allow for the measurement of total PM2.5, including semi-volatile organic material. Data were collected using an R&P (Rupprecht and Pastasnik Co., Inc.) Partisol Model 2300 speciation sampler; an R&P Partisol speciation sampler modified with a BOSS denuder, followed by a filter pack with a quartz and a CIG filter; a Met One spiral aerosol speciation sampler (SASS); and the PC-BOSS from November 2001 to March 2002 at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science to Achieve Results (STAR) sampling site in Lindon, UT. Total PM2.5 mass, ammonium nitrate (both nonvolatile and semi-volatile), ammonium sulfate, organic carbon (both non-volatile and semi-volatile), and elemental carbon were determined on a 24-hr basis. Results obtained with the individual samplers were compared to determine the capability of the modified R&P speciation sampler for measuring total PM2.5, including semi-volatile components. Data obtained with the modified speciation sampler agreed with the PC-BOSS results. Data obtained with the two unmodified speciation samplers were low by an average of 26% because of the loss of semi-volatile organic material from the quartz filter during sample collection.

Measurement of fine particulate matter nonvolatile and semi-volatile organic material with the Sunset Laboratory Carbon Aerosol Monitor

Semi-volatile organic material (SVOM) in fine particles is not reliably measured with conventional semicontinuous carbon monitors because SVOM is lost from the collection media during sample collection. We have modified a Sunset Laboratory Carbon Aerosol Monitor to allow for the determination of SVOM. In a conventional Sunset monitor, gas-phase organic compounds are removed in the sampled airstream by a diffusion denuder employing charcoal-impregnated cellulose filter (CIF) surfaces. Subsequently, particles are collected on a quartz filter and the instrument then determines both the organic carbon and elemental carbon fractions of the aerosol using a thermal/optical method. However, some of the SVOM is lost from the filter during collection, and therefore is not determined. Because the interfering gas-phase organic compounds are removed before aerosol collection, the SVOM can be determined by filtering the particles at the instrument inlet and then replacing the quartz filter in the monitor with a charcoal-impregnated glass fiber filter (CIG), which retains the SVOM lost from particles collected on the inlet filter. The resulting collected SVOM is then determined in the analysis step by measurement of the carbonaceous material thermally evolved from the CIG filter. This concept was tested during field studies in February 2003 in Lindon, UT, and in July 2003 in Rubidoux, CA. The results obtained were validated by comparison with Particle Concentrator-Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System (PC-BOSS) results. The sum of nonvolatile organic material determined with a conventional Sunset monitor and SVOM determined with the modified Sunset monitor agree with the PC-BOSS results. Linear regression analysis of total carbon concentrations determined by the PC-BOSS and the Sunset resulted in a zero-intercept slope of 0.99 +/- 0.02 (R2 = 0.92) and a precision of sigma = +/- 1.5 microg C/m3 (8%).

Apportionment of ambient primary and secondary fine particulate matter during a 2001 summer intensive study at the CMU Supersite and NETL Pittsburgh site

Gaseous and particulate pollutant concentrations associated with five samples per day collected during a July 2001 summer intensive study at the Pittsburgh Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Supersite were used to apportion fine particulate matter (PM2.5) into primary and secondary contributions using PMF2. Input to the PMF2 analysis included the concentrations of PM2.5 nonvolatile and semivolatile organic material, elemental carbon (EC), ammonium sulfate, trace element components, gas-phase organic material, and NO(x), NO2, and O3 concentrations. A total of 10 factors were identified. These factors are associated with emissions from various sources and facilities including crustal material, gasoline combustion, diesel combustion, and three nearby sources high in trace metals. In addition, four secondary sources were identified, three of which were associated with secondary products of local emissions and were dominated by organic material and one of which was dominated by secondary ammonium sulfate transported to the CMU site from the west and southwest. The three largest contributors to PM2.5 were secondary transported material (dominated by ammonium sulfate) from the west and southwest (49%), secondary material formed during midday photochemical processes (24%), and gasoline combustion emissions (11%). The other seven sources accounted for the remaining 16% of the PM2.5. Results obtained at the CMU site were comparable to results previously reported at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), located approximately 18 km south of downtown Pittsburgh. The major contributor at both sites was material transported from the west and southwest. Some difference in nearby sources could be attributed to meteorology as evaluated by HYSPLIT model back-trajectory calculations. These findings are consistent with the majority of the secondary ammonium sulfate in the Pittsburgh area being the result of contributions from distant transport, and thus decoupled from local activity involving organic pollutants in the metropolitan area. In contrast, the major local secondary sources were dominated by organic material.

Gas chromatographic analysis of organic marker compounds in fine particulate matter using solid-phase microextraction

A gas chromatographic method that uses solid-phase microextraction for analysis of organic marker compounds in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is reported. The target marker compounds were selected for specificity toward emission from wood smoke, diesel or gasoline combustion, or meat cooking. Temperature-programmed volatilization analysis was used to characterize the thermal stabilities and volatile properties of the compounds of interest. The compounds were thermally evaporated from a quartz filter, sorbed to a solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber, and thermally desorbed at 280 degrees C in a gas chromatograph injection port connected via a DB 1701 capillary separating column. Various experimental parameters (fiber type, time, and temperature of sorption) were optimized. It was found that high extraction yield could be achieved using a polyacrylate fiber for polar substances, such as levoglucosan, and a 7-microm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-coated fiber for nonpolar compounds, such as hopanes and polyaromatic hydrocarbon. A compromise was made by selecting a carboxen/PDMS fiber, which can simultaneously extract all of the analytes of interest with moderate-to-high efficiency at 180 degrees C within a 30-min accumulation period. The optimized method was applied to the determination of levoglucosan in pine wood combustion emissions. The simplicity, rapidity, and selectivity of sample collection with a polymer-coated SPME coupled to capillary gas chromatography (GC) made this method potentially useful for atmospheric chemistry studies.

Fine particulate chemical composition and light extinction at Meadview, AZ

The concentration of fine particulate nitrate, sulfate, and carbonaceous material was measured for 12-hr day-night samples using diffusion denuder samplers during the Project Measurement of Haze and Visibility Effects (MOHAVE) July to August 1992 Summer Intensive study at Meadview, AZ, just west of Grand Canyon National Park. Organic material was measured by several techniques. Only the diffusion denuder method measured the semivolatile organic material. Fine particulate sulfate and nitrate (using denuder technology) determined by various groups agreed. Based on the various collocated measurements obtained during the Project MOHAVE study, the precision of the major fine particulate species was +/- 0.6 microg/m3 organic material, +/- 0.3 microg/m3 ammonium sulfate, and +/- 0.07 microg/m3 ammonium nitrate. Data were also available on fine particulate crustal material, fine and coarse particulate mass from the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments sampling system, and relative humidity (RH), light absorption, particle scattering, and light extinction measurements from Project MOHAVE. An extinction budget was obtained using mass scattering coefficients estimated from particle size distribution data. Literature data were used to estimate the change in the mass scattering coefficients for the measured species as a function of RH and for the absorption of light by elemental carbon. Fine particulate organic material was the principal particulate contributor to light extinction during the study period, with fine particulate sulfate as the second most important contributor. During periods of highest light extinction, contributions from fine particulate organic material, sulfate, and light-absorbing carbon dominated the extinction of light by particles. Particle light extinction was dominated by sulfate and organic material during periods of lowest light extinction. Combination of the extinction data and chemical mass balance analysis of sulfur oxides sources in the region indicate that the major anthropogenic contributors to light extinction were from the Los Angeles, CA, and Las Vegas, NV, urban areas. Mohave Power Project associated secondary sulfate was a negligible contributor to light extinction.

Apportionment of ambient primary and secondary pollutants during a 2001 summer study in Pittsburgh using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency UNMIX

Apportionment of primary and secondary pollutants during the summer 2001 Pittsburgh Air Quality Study (PAQS) is reported. Several sites were included in PAQS, with the main site (the supersite) adjacent to the Carnegie Mellon University campus in Schenley Park. One of the additional sampling sites was located at the National Energy Technology Laboratory, located approximately 18 km southeast of downtown Pittsburgh. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) mass, gas-phase volatile organic material (VOM), particulate semivolatile and nonvolatile organic material (NVOM), and ammonium sulfate were apportioned at the two sites into their primary and secondary contributions using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency UNMIX 2.3 multivariate receptor modeling and analysis software. A portion of each of these species was identified as originating from gasoline and diesel primary mobile sources. Some of the organic material was formed from local secondary transformation processes, whereas the great majority of the secondary sulfate was associated with regional transformation contributions. The results indicated that the diurnal patterns of secondary gas-phase VOM and particulate semivolatile and NVOM were not correlated with secondary ammonium sulfate contributions but were associated with separate formation pathways. These findings are consistent with the bulk of the secondary ammonium sulfate in the Pittsburgh area being the result of contributions from distant transport and, thus, decoupled from local activity involving organic pollutants in the metropolitan area.

PM source apportionment and health effects: 2. An investigation of intermethod variability in associations between source-apportioned fine particle mass and daily mortality in Washington, DC

Source apportionment may be useful in epidemiological investigation of PM health effects, but variations and options in these methods leave uncertainties. An EPA-sponsored workshop investigated source apportionment and health effects analyses by examining the associations between daily mortality and the investigators' estimated source-apportioned PM(2.5) for Washington, DC for 1988-1997. A Poisson Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was used to estimate source-specific relative risks at lags 0-4 days for total non-accidental, cardiovascular, and cardiorespiratory mortality adjusting for weather, seasonal/temporal trends, and day-of-week. Source-related effect estimates and their lagged association patterns were similar across investigators/methods. The varying lag structure of associations across source types, combined with the Wednesday/Saturday sampling frequency made it difficult to compare the source-specific effect sizes in a simple manner. The largest (and most significant) percent excess deaths per 5-95(th) percentile increment of apportioned PM(2.5) for total mortality was for secondary sulfate (variance-weighted mean percent excess mortality=6.7% (95% CI: 1.7, 11.7)), but with a peculiar lag structure (lag 3 day). Primary coal-related PM(2.5) (only three teams) was similarly significantly associated with total mortality with the same 3-day lag as sulfate. Risk estimates for traffic-related PM(2.5), while significant in some cases, were more variable. Soil-related PM showed smaller effect size estimates, but they were more consistently positive at multiple lags. The cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory mortality associations were generally similar to those for total mortality. Alternative weather models generally gave similar patterns, but sometimes affected the lag structure (e.g., for sulfate). Overall, the variations in relative risks across investigators/methods were found to be much smaller than those across estimated source types or across lag days for these data. This consistency suggests the robustness of the source apportionment in health effects analyses, but remaining issues, including accuracy of source apportionment and source-specific sensitivity to weather models, need to be investigated.

PM source apportionment and health effects. 3. Investigation of inter-method variations in associations between estimated source contributions of PM2.5 and daily mortality in Phoenix, AZ

As part of an EPA-sponsored workshop to investigate the use of source apportionment in health effects analyses, the associations between the participant's estimated source contributions of PM(2.5) for Phoenix, AZ for the period from 1995-1997 and cardiovascular and total nonaccidental mortality were analyzed using Poisson generalized linear models (GLM). The base model controlled for extreme temperatures, relative humidity, day of week, and time trends using natural spline smoothers. The same mortality model was applied to all of the apportionment results to provide a consistent comparison across source components and investigators/methods. Of the apportioned anthropogenic PM(2.5) source categories, secondary sulfate, traffic, and copper smelter-derived particles were most consistently associated with cardiovascular mortality. The sources with the largest cardiovascular mortality effect size were secondary sulfate (median estimate=16.0% per 5th-to-95th percentile increment at lag 0 day among eight investigators/methods) and traffic (median estimate=13.2% per 5th-to-95th percentile increment at lag 1 day among nine investigators/methods). For total mortality, the associations were weaker. Sea salt was also found to be associated with both total and cardiovascular mortality, but at 5 days lag. Fine particle soil and biomass burning factors were not associated with increased risks. Variations in the maximum effect lag varied by source category suggesting that past analyses considering only single lags of PM(2.5) may have underestimated health impact contributions at different lags. Further research is needed on the possibility that different PM(2.5) source components may have different effect lag structure. There was considerable consistency in the health effects results across source apportionments in their effect estimates and their lag structures. Variations in results across investigators/methods were small compared to the variations across source categories. These results indicate reproducibility of source apportionment results across investigative groups and support applicability of these methods to effects studies. However, future research will also need to investigate a number of other important issues including accuracy of results.

PM source apportionment and health effects: 1. Intercomparison of source apportionment results

During the past three decades, receptor models have been used to identify and apportion ambient concentrations to sources. A number of groups are employing these methods to provide input into air quality management planning. A workshop has explored the use of resolved source contributions in health effects models. Multiple groups have analyzed particulate composition data sets from Washington, DC and Phoenix, AZ. Similar source profiles were extracted from these data sets by the investigators using different factor analysis methods. There was good agreement among the major resolved source types. Crustal (soil), sulfate, oil, and salt were the sources that were most unambiguously identified (generally highest correlation across the sites). Traffic and vegetative burning showed considerable variability among the results with variability in the ability of the methods to partition the motor vehicle contributions between gasoline and diesel vehicles. However, if the total motor vehicle contributions are estimated, good correspondence was obtained among the results. The source impacts were especially similar across various analyses for the larger mass contributors (e.g., in Washington, secondary sulfate SE=7% and 11% for traffic; in Phoenix, secondary sulfate SE=17% and 7% for traffic). Especially important for time-series health effects assessment, the source-specific impacts were found to be highly correlated across analysis methods/researchers for the major components (e.g., mean analysis to analysis correlation, r>0.9 for traffic and secondary sulfates in Phoenix and for traffic and secondary nitrates in Washington. The sulfate mean r value is >0.75 in Washington.). Overall, although these intercomparisons suggest areas where further research is needed (e.g., better division of traffic emissions between diesel and gasoline vehicles), they provide support the contention that PM(2.5) mass source apportionment results are consistent across users and methods, and that today's source apportionment methods are robust enough for application to PM(2.5) health effects assessments.

The measurement of fine particulate semivolatile material in urban aerosols

Ammonium nitrate and semivolatile organic material (SVOM) are significant components of fine particles in urban atmospheres. These components, however, are not properly determined with methods such as the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) Federal Reference Method (FRM) or other single filter samplers because of significant losses of semivolatile material (SVM) from particles collected on the filter during sampling. The R&P tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) monitor also does not measure SVM, because this method heats the sample to remove particle bound water, which also results in evaporation of SVM. Recent advances in monitoring techniques have resulted in samplers for both integrated and continuous measurement of total PM2.5, including the particle concentrator-Brigham Young University organic sampling system (PC-BOSS), the real-time total ambient mass sampler (RAMS), and the R&P filter dynamics measurement system (FDMS) TEOM monitor. Results obtained using these samplers have been compared with those obtained with either a PM2.5 FRM sampler or a TEOM monitor in studies conducted during the past five years. These studies have shown the following: (1) the PC-BOSS, RAMS, and FDMS TEOM are all comparable. Each instrument measures both the nonvolatile material and the SVM. (2) The SVM is not retained on the heated filter of a regular TEOM monitor and is not measured by this sampling technique. (3) Much of the SVM is also lost during sampling from single filter samplers such as the PM2.5 FRM sampler. (4) The amount of SVM lost from single filter samplers can vary from less than one-third of that lost from heated TEOM filters during cold winter conditions to essentially all during warm summer conditions. (5) SVOM can only be reliably collected using an appropriate denuder sampler. (6) A PM2.5 speciation sampler can be easily modified to a denuder sampler with filters that can be analyzed for semivolatile organic carbon (OC), nonvolatile OC, and elemental carbon using existing OC/elemental carbon analytical techniques. The research upon which these statements are based for various urban studies are summarized in this paper.

Continuous determination of fine particulate matter mass in the Salt Lake City Environmental Monitoring project: a comparison of real-time and conventional TEOM monitor results

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) mass was determined on a continuous basis at the Salt Lake City Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Monitoring for Public Awareness and Community Tracking monitoring site in Salt Lake City, UT, using three different monitoring techniques. Hourly averaged PM2.5 mass data were collected during two sampling periods (summer 2000 and winter 2002) using a real-time total ambient mass sampler (RAMS), sample equilibration system (SES)-tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM), and conventional TEOM monitor. This paper compares the results obtained from the various monitoring systems, which differ in their treatment of semivolatile material (SVM; particle-bound water, semivolatile ammonium nitrate, and semivolatile organic compounds). PM2.5 mass results obtained by the RAMS were consistently higher than those obtained by the SES-TEOM and conventional TEOM monitors because of the RAMS ability to measure semivolatile ammonium nitrate and semivolatile organic material but not particle-bound water. The SES-TEOM monitoring system was able to account for an average of 28% of the SVM, whereas the conventional TEOM monitor loses essentially all of the SVM from the single filter during sampling. Occasional mass readings by the various TEOM monitors that are higher than RAMS results may reflect particle-bound water, which, under some conditions, is measured by the TEOM but not the RAMS.

Workgroup report: workshop on source apportionment of particulate matter health effects--intercomparison of results and implications

Although the association between exposure to ambient fine particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 microm (PM2.5) and human mortality is well established, the most responsible particle types/sources are not yet certain. In May 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Particulate Matter Centers Program sponsored the Workshop on the Source Apportionment of PM Health Effects. The goal was to evaluate the consistency of the various source apportionment methods in assessing source contributions to daily PM2.5 mass-mortality associations. Seven research institutions, using varying methods, participated in the estimation of source apportionments of PM2.5 mass samples collected in Washington, DC, and Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Apportionments were evaluated for their respective associations with mortality using Poisson regressions, allowing a comparative assessment of the extent to which variations in the apportionments contributed to variability in the source-specific mortality results. The various research groups generally identified the same major source types, each with similar elemental makeups. Intergroup correlation analyses indicated that soil-, sulfate-, residual oil-, and salt-associated mass were most unambiguously identified by various methods, whereas vegetative burning and traffic were less consistent. Aggregate source-specific mortality relative risk (RR) estimate confidence intervals overlapped each other, but the sulfate-related PM2.5 component was most consistently significant across analyses in these cities. Analyses indicated that source types were a significant predictor of RR, whereas apportionment group differences were not. Variations in the source apportionments added only some 15% to the mortality regression uncertainties. These results provide supportive evidence that existing PM2.5 source apportionment methods can be used to derive reliable insights into the source components that contribute to PM2.5 health effects.

The regional nature of PM2.5 episodes in the upper Ohio River Valley

From October 1999 through September 2000, particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter > or =2.5 microm (PM2.5) mass and composition were measured at the National Energy Technology Laboratory Pittsburgh site, with a particle concentrator Brigham Young University-organic sampling system and a tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) monitor. PM2.5 measurements had also been obtained with TEOM monitors located in the Pittsburgh, PA, area, and at sites in Ohio, including Steubenville, Columbus, and Athens. The PM data from all these sites were analyzed on high PM days; PM2.5 TEOM particulate mass at all sites was generally associated with transitions from locally high barometric pressure to lower pressure. Elevated concentrations occurred with transport of PM from outside the local region in advance of frontal passages as the local pressure decreased. During high-pressure periods, concentrations at the study sites were generally low throughout the study region. Further details related to this transport were obtained from surface weather maps and estimated back-trajectories using the hybrid single-particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory model associated with these time periods. These analyses indicated that transport of pollutants to the Pittsburgh site was generally from the west to the southwest. These results suggest that the Ohio River Valley and possible regions beyond act as a significant source of PM and its precursors in the Pittsburgh area and at the other regional sites included in this study.

Design scenario for the radioisotopic estimation of the biogenic component of airborne particles

An experimental design is described to estimate the fraction of secondary fine particle from the biogenic component of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere using radiocarbon isotopic abundance ratios. The method distinguishes between "modern" carbon (C), and "old" C of primary and secondary origins based on three components, condensed-phase organic carbon (OC), semi-volatile particulate compounds (SVOCs), and VOCs. The method depends on interpretation of diurnal and seasonal variation in OC, SVOC, and VOC concentrations. Sampling employs a filter-denuder unit, which collects the three C components for isotopic analysis. The samples are collected repetitively for a daily sequence of the same hourly intervals covering diurnal periods with similar meteorological conditions. Collected C is thermally treated to separate OC from black carbon on filters and VOCs or SVOCs from adsorbents, with all four fractions individually oxidized to carbon dioxide to determine the radiocarbon content by accelerator mass spectrometry. Using C isotope abundance, the data are interpreted for fractions of primary modern C and secondary modern C as estimated from averaging diurnal and seasonal variations in the concentration data. As support for interpretation, samples of OC, SVOCs, and VOCs would be analyzed for speciation to identify source indicator species present.

Ambient particulate air pollution, heart rate variability, and blood markers of inflammation in a panel of elderly subjects

Epidemiologic studies report associations between particulate air pollution and cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality. Although the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms remain unclear, it has been hypothesized that altered autonomic function and pulmonary/systemic inflammation may play a role. In this study we explored the effects of air pollution on autonomic function measured by changes in heart rate variability (HRV) and blood markers of inflammation in a panel of 88 elderly subjects from three communities along the Wasatch Front in Utah. Subjects participated in multiple sessions of 24-hr ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring and blood tests. Regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between fine particulate matter [aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 microm (PM2.5)] and HRV, C-reactive protein (CRP), blood cell counts, and whole blood viscosity. A 100- microg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with approximately a 35 (SE = 8)-msec decline in standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals (SDNN, a measure of overall HRV); a 42 (SE = 11)-msec decline in square root of the mean of the squared differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals (r-MSSD, an estimate of short-term components of HRV); and a 0.81 (SE = 0.17)-mg/dL increase in CRP. The PM2.5-HRV associations were reasonably consistent and statistically robust, but the CRP association dropped to 0.19 (SE = 0.10) after excluding the most influential subject. PM2.5 was not significantly associated with white or red blood cell counts, platelets, or whole-blood viscosity. Most short-term variability in temporal deviations of HRV and CRP was not explained by PM2.5; however, the small statistically significant associations that were observed suggest that exposure to PM2.5 may be one of multiple factors that influence HRV and CRP.

Evaluation of the RAMS continuous monitor for determination of PM2.5 mass including semi-volatile material in Philadelphia, PA

The real-time ambient mass sampler (RAMS) is a continuous monitor based on particle concentrator, denuder, drier, and tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) monitor technology. It is designed to measure PM2.5 mass, including the semi-volatile species NH4NO3 and semi-volatile organic material, but not to measure PM2.5 water content. The performance of the RAMS in an urban environment with high humidity was evaluated during the July 1999 NARSTO-Northeast Oxidant and Particles Study (NEOPS) intensive study at the Baxter water treatment plant in Philadelphia, PA. The results obtained with the RAMS were compared to mass measurements made with a TEOM monitor and to constructed mass obtained with a Particle Concentrator-Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System (PC-BOSS) sampler designed to determine the chemical composition of fine particles, including the semi-volatile species. An average of 28% of the fine particulate material present during the study was semi-volatile organic material lost from a filter during particle collection, and 1% was NH4NO3 that was also lost from the particles during sampling. The remaining mass was dominantly nonvolatile (NH4)2SO4 (31%) and organic material (37%), with minor amounts of soot, crustal material, and nonvolatile NH4NO3. Comparison of the RAMS and PC-BOSS results indicated that the RAMS correctly monitored for fine particulate mass, including the semivolatile material. In contrast, the heated filter of the TEOM monitor did not measure the semi-volatile material. The comparison of the RAMS and PC-BOSS data had a precision of +/-4.1 microg/m3 (+/-9.6%). The precision of the RAMS data was limited by the uncertainty in the blank correction for the reversible adsorption of water by the charcoal-impregnated cellulose sorbent filter of the RAMS monitor. The precision of the measurement of fine particulate components by the PC-BOSS was +/-6-8%.

Determination of fine particulate semi-volatile organic material at three eastern U.S. sampling sites

Correct assessment of fine particulate carbonaceous material as a function of particle size is, in part, dependent on the determination of semi-volatile compounds, which can be lost from particles during sampling. This study gives results obtained for the collection of fine particulate carbonaceous material at three eastern U.S. sampling sites [Philadelphia, PA; Shenandoah National Park, VA; and Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC] using diffusion denuder technology. The diffusion denuder samplers allow for the determination of fine particulate organic material with no artifacts, due to the loss of semi-volatile organic particulate compounds, or collection of gas-phase organic compounds by the quartz filter during sampling. The results show that an average of 41, 43, and 59% of fine particulate organic material was lost as volatilized semi-volatile organic material during collection of particles on a filter at Philadelphia, RTP, and Shenandoah, respectively. The particle size distribution of carbonaceous material retained by a filter and lost from a filter during sampling was obtained for the samples collected at Philadelphia and Shenandoah. The carbonaceous material retained by the particles during sampling was found predominantly in particles smaller than 0.4 microm in aerodynamic diameter. In contrast, the semi-volatile organic material lost from the particles during sampling had a mass median diameter of approximately 0.5 microm.

Potential particulate impacts at the Grand Canyon from northwestern Mexico

Project MOHAVE was a major air quality and visibility research program conducted from 1990 to 1999 to investigate the causes of visibility impairment in the Grand Canyon National Park region. At Meadview, a remote monitoring site just west of the Grand Canyon National Park, on September 1 and 2, 1992, the concentrations of sulfate (3.1 and 4.3 microg sulfate/m3) were the highest seen in 6 years of monitoring at this site. During this period, the concentrations of SO2 at Meadview were also abnormally high and approximately three times the sulfate concentrations, on a nmol/m3 basis. High concentrations of sulfate and SO2 extended south into southern Arizona and northwestern Mexico. Based on ambient atmospheric conditions, emissions from the Mohave Power Project (MPP) 110 km upwind of Meadview could not have been responsible for the majority of the regionally observed sulfur oxides. The geographical distribution of SO2 and sulfate, and available source information suggest that northwestern Mexico was a significant source of the unusually high observed sulfur oxides. A CMB model developed during Project MOHAVE was used to apportion sulfur oxides at Meadview and other sampling sites throughout the study region for August 31-September 2, 1992. The results indicate that the contribution of MPP to sulfate at Meadview was typical. However, the transport of SOx from northwestern Mexico was elevated throughout much of the region during this time period. This led to the large increase in sulfate concentrations at Meadview on September 1 and 2. These results indicate that emissions from Mexico can be a significant source of particulate material in the Grand Canyon.

Acute exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and heart rate variability

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been associated with cardiovascular mortality. Pathophysiologic pathways leading from ETS exposure to cardiopulmonary disease are still being explored. Reduced cardiac autonomic function, as measured by heart rate variability (HRV), has been associated with cardiac vulnerability and may represent an important pathophysiologic mechanism linking ETS and risk of cardiac mortality. In this study we evaluated acute ETS exposure in a commercial airport with changes in HRV in 16 adult nonsmokers. We conducted ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring for 8-hr periods while participants alternated 2 hr in nonsmoking and smoking areas. Nicotine and respirable suspended particle concentrations and participants' blood oxygen saturation were also monitored. We calculated time and frequency domain measures of HRV for periods in and out of the smoking area, and we evaluated associations with ETS using comparative statistics and regression modeling. ETS exposure was negatively associated with all measures of HRV. During exposure periods, we observed an average decrement of approximately 12% in the standard deviation of all normal-to-normal heart beat intervals (an estimate of overall HRV). ETS exposures were not associated with mean heart rate or blood oxygen saturation. Altered cardiac autonomic function, assessed by decrements in HRV, is associated with acute exposure to ETS and may be part of the pathophysiologic mechanisms linking ETS exposure and increased cardiac vulnerability.

Semi-volatile species in PM2.5: comparison of integrated and continuous samplers for PM2.5 research or monitoring

Fine particles in urban atmospheres contain substantial quantities of semi-volatile material [e.g., NH4NO3 and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs)] that are lost from particles during collection on a filter. Several diffusion denuder samplers have been developed for the determination of both NO3- and organic semi-volatile fine particulate components. The combination of technology used in the BOSS diffusion denuder sampler and the Harvard particle concentrator has resulted in the Particle Concentrator-Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System (PC-BOSS) for the 24-hr (or less) integrated collection of PM2.5, including NH4NO3 and semi-volatile organic material. Modification of the BOSS sampler allows for the weekly determination of these same species. Combination of BOSS denuder and tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) monitor technology has resulted in the real-time ambient mass sampler (RAMS) for the continuous measurement of PM2.5, including the semi-volatile components. Comparison of the results obtained with the BOSS and with each of the newly developed modifications of the BOSS indicates that the modified versions can be used for the continuous, daily, or weekly monitoring of PM2.5, including semi-volatile species, as appropriate to the design of each sampler.

Second generation chemical mass balance source apportionment of sulfur oxides and sulfate at the Grand Canyon during the Project MOHAVE summer intensive

Receptor-based chemical mass balance (CMB) analysis techniques are designed to apportion species that are conserved during pollutant transport using conserved source profiles. The techniques will fail if non-conservative species (or profiles) are not properly accounted for in the CMB model. The straightforward application of the CMB model developed for Project MOHAVE using regional profiles resulted in a significant under-prediction of total sulfate oxides (SOx, SO2 plus fine particulate sulfate) for many samples at Meadview, AZ. In addition, for these samples the concentration of the inert tracer emitted from the MOHAVE Power Project (MPP), ocPDCH, was also under-predicted. A second-generation model has been developed which assumes that separation of particles and SO2 can occur in the MPP plume during nighttime stable plume conditions. This second-generation CMB model accounts for all SOx present at the various receptor sites. In addition, the concentrations of ocPDCH and the presence of other inert tracers of emission from regional sources are accurately predicted. The major source of SOx at Meadview was the MPP, but the major source of sulfate at this site was the Las Vegas urban area. At Hopi Point in the Grand Canyon, the Baja California region (Imperial Valley and northwestern Mexico) was the major source of both SOx and sulfate.

Indoor/outdoor relationships for ambient PM2.5 and associated pollutants: epidemiological implications in Lindon, Utah

Outdoor and indoor fine particulate species were measured at the Lindon Elementary School in Lindon, Utah, to determine which components of ambient fine particles have strong indoor and outdoor concentration correlations. PM2.5 mass concentrations were measured using tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) monitors and by gravimetric analysis of Teflon filter samples. Gas-phase HNO3, sulfur dioxide, particulate nitrate, strong acid, and particulate sulfate were measured using annular denuder samplers. Soot was measured using quartz filters in filter packs. Total particulate number was measured with a condensation nucleus counter (CNC). Total particulate number and fine particulate sulfate and soot were correlated for ambient and indoor measurements. Indoor PM2.5 mass showed a low correlation with outdoor PM2.5 mass because of the influence of coarse material from student activities on indoor PM2.5. Fine particle acidity and the potentiation of biological oxidative mechanisms by iron were not correlated indoors and outdoors.

Determination of PM2.5 Sulfate and Nitrate with a PC-BOSS Designed for Routine Sampling for Semi-Volatile Particulate Matter

Ambient particles contain substantial quantities of material that can be lost from the particles during sample collection on a filter. These include ammonium nitrate and semi-volatile organic compounds. As a result, the concentrations of these species are often significantly in error for results obtained with a filter pack sampler. The accurate measurement of these semi-volatile fine particulate species is essential for a complete understanding of the possible causes of health effects associated with exposure to fine particles. Past organic compound diffusion denuder samplers developed by the authors (e.g., the Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System [BOSS]) are not amenable to routine field use because of the need to independently determine the gas-phase semi-volatile organic material efficiency of the denuder for each sample. This problem has been eliminated using a combined virtual impactor, particle-concentrator inlet to provide a concentrated stream of 0.1-2.5-μm particles. This is followed by a BOSS diffusion denuder and filter packs to collect particles, including any semi-volatile species lost from the particles during sampling. The samp ler (Particle Concentrator-Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System [PC-BOSS]) contains a post-denuder multifilter pack unit to allow for the routine collection of several sequential samples. The PC-BOSS can be used for the determination of both fine particulate nitrate and semi-volatile organic material without significant "positive" or "negative" sampling artifacts. Validation of the sampler for the determination of PM_2.5 sulfate and nitrate based on comparison of results obtained at Riverside, CA with collocated PC-BOSS, annular denuder, and Chem Spec samplers indicates the PC-BOSS gives accurate results for these species with a precision of ±5-8%. An average of 33% of the PM_2.5 nitrate was lost from the particles during sampling for both denuder and single filter samplers.

Fine particulate organic material in the Los Angeles Basin-I: assessment of the high-volume Brigham Young University organic sampling system, BIG BOSS

A multi-system, high-volume, parallel plate diffusion denuder Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System (BIG BOSS) was tested using collocated samplers at the Pico Rivera Monitoring Station of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, South Coast Air Basin, in September 1994. Six-hr daytime and 9-hr nighttime samples were collected with a flow of about 200 L/min through each of the three systems designed to collect particles smaller than 2.5, 0.8, and 0.4 microns in a diffusion denuder sampler. Efficiency for the removal of gas phase organic compounds by the diffusion denuder was evaluated using both theoretical predictions and field measurements. Both measured and calculated data indicate high denuder efficiency for the removal of gas phase aromatic and paraffinic compounds. The precision of the BIG BOSS was evaluated using collocated samplers. The precision of determination of total carbon and elemental carbon retained by a quartz filter or of semi-volatile carbonaceous material lost from particles during sampling averaged +/- 7%. The precision of determination of individual organic compounds averaged +/- 10%. An average of 42 and 62% of the particulate organic material was semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) lost from particles during sampling for daytime and nighttime samples, respectively. This "negative" sampling artifact was an order of magnitude larger than the "positive" quartz filter artifact due to adsorption of gas phase organic material. Daytime concentrations of fine particulate elemental carbon and nonvolatile organic carbon were higher than nighttime concentrations, but nighttime fine particles contained more semi-volatile organic material than daytime.

Precision and Accuracy in the Determination of Sulfur Oxides, Fluoride, and Spherical Aluminosilicate Fly Ash Particles in Project MOHAVE

The precision and accuracy of the determination of particulate sulfate and fluoride, and gas phase S0₂ and HF are estimated from the results obtained from collocated replicate samples and from collocated comparison samples for highland low&#x0002D;volume filter pack and annular diffusion denuder samplers. The results of replicate analysis of collocated samples and replicate analyses of a given sample for the determination of spherical aluminosilicate fly ash particles have also been compared. Each of these species is being used in the chemical mass balance source apportionment of sulfur oxides in the Grand Canyon region as part of Project MOHAVE, and the precision and accuracy analyses given in this paper provide input to that analysis. The precision of the various measurements reported here is ±1.8 nmol/m³ and ±2.5 nmol/m³ for the determination of S0₂ and sulfate, respectively, with an annular denuder. The precision is ±0.5 nmol/m³ and ±2.0 nmol/m³ for the determination of the same species with a high&#x0002D;volume or low&#x0002D;volume filter pack. The precision for the determination of the sum of HF(g) and fine particulate fluoride is +0.3 nmol/m³. The precision for the determination of aluminosilicate fly ash particles is ±100 particles/m³. At high concentrations of the various species, reproducibility of the various measurements is ±10% to ±14% of the measured concentration. The concentrations of sulfate determined using filter pack samplers are frequently higher than those determined using diffusion denuder sampling systems. The magnitude of the difference (e.g., 2&#x0002D;10 nmol sulfate/m³) is small, but important relative to the precision of the data and the concentrations of particulate sulfate present (typically 5&#x0002D;20 nmol sulfate/m³). The concentrations of S0₂(g) determined using a high&#x0002D;volume cascade impactor filter pack sampler are correspondingly lower than those obtained with diffusion denuder samplers. The concentrations of SO_x (SO_z(g) plus particulate sulfate) determined using the two samplers during Project MOHAVE at the Spirit Mountain, NV, and Hopi Point, AZ, sampling sites were in agreement. However, for samples collected at Painted Desert, AZ, and Meadview, AZ, the concentrations of SO_x and S0₂(g) determined with a high&#x0002D;volume cascade impactor filter pack sampler were frequently lower than those determined using a diffusion denuder sampling system. These two sites had very low ambient relative humidity, an average of 25%. Possible causes of observed differences in the S0₂(g) and sulfate results obtained from different types of samplers are given.

Precision and Accuracy in the Determination of Sulfur Oxides, Fluoride, and Spherical Aluminosilicate Fly Ash Particles in Project MOHAVE

The precision and accuracy of the determination of particu-late sulfate and fluoride, and gas phase SO₂ and HF are estimated from the results obtained from collocated replicate samples and from collocated comparison samples for high-and low-volume filter pack and annular diffusion denuder samplers. The results of replicate analysis of collocated samples and replicate analyses of a given sample for the determination of spherical aluminosilicate fly ash particles have also been compared. Each of these species is being used in the chemical mass balance source apportionment of sulfur oxides in the Grand Canyon region as part of Project MOHAVE, and the precision and accuracy analyses given in this paper provide input to that analysis. The precision of the various measurements reported here is ±1.8 nmol/m³ and ±2.5 nmol/m³ for the determination of SO₂ and sulfate, respectively, with an annular denuder. The precision is ±0.5 nmol/m³ and ±2.0 nmol/m³ for the determination of the same species with a high-volume or low-volume filter pack. The precision for the determination of the sum of HF(g) and fine particulate fluoride is ±0.3 nmol/m³. The precision for the determination of aluminosilicate fly ash particles is ±100 particles/m³. At high concentrations of the various species, reproducibility of the various measurements is ±10% to ±14% of the measured concentration. The concentrations of sulfate determined using filter pack samplers are frequently higher than those determined using diffusion denuder sampling systems. The magnitude of the difference (e.g., 2-10 nmol sulfate/m³) is small, but important relative to the precision of the data and the concentrations of particulate sul-fate present (typically 5-20 nmol sulfate/m³). The concentrations of SO₂(g) determined using a high-volume cascade impactor filter pack sampler are correspondingly lower than those obtained with diffusion denuder samplers. The concentrations of SO_x (SO₂(g) plus particulate sulfate) determined using the two samplers during Project MOHAVE at the Spirit Mountain, NV, and Hopi Point, AZ, sampling sites were in agreement. However, for samples collected at Painted Desert, AZ, and Meadview, AZ, the concentrations of SO_x and SO₂(g) determined with a high-volume cascade impactor filter pack sampler were frequently lower than those determined using a diffusion denuder sampling system. These two sites had very low ambient relative humidity, an average of 25%. Possible causes of observed differences in the SO₂(g) and sulfate results obtained from different types of samplers are given.

Fine Particulate Organic Material at Meadview During the Project MOHAVE Summer Intensive Study

The Brigham Young University (BYU) organic sampling system (BOSS) and the high flow rate multi-system BYU organic sampling system (BIG BOSS), which use multichannel diffusion denuder sampling techniques, were both used to collect samples of atmospheric fine particulate organic material. Both systems were used at the Meadview sampling site located at the western boundary of the Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona for the Project MOHAVE summer intensive sampling program in August 1992. The concentrations of total fine particulate carbonaceous material determined by temperature programmed volatilization for BOSS collocated replicate samples were in agreement with an uncertainty of ±14%. A comparable agreement was seen between the BOSS and BIG BOSS samples. Carbonaceous material collected by the second of two sequential quartz filters was shown to have originated from organic material lost from particles during sampling. About one-half of the fine particulate organic material was lost from particles during sample collection. These semi-volatile organic compounds lost from particles during sampling were characterized by GC/MS analysis. The concentrations of n-alkanes, n-fatty acids, n-fatty methyl esters, and phthalic acid as a function of fine particulate size were obtained for compounds both retained by and lost from particles during sampling. The possible sources of fine particulate semi-volatile organic material collected at Meadview, and the particle size distribution of fine particulate organic material, n-alkanes, n-fatty acids, and n-fatty esters are discussed.