18HLT02 AeroToX: Measurements for mitigating adverse health effects from atmospheric particulate pollutants

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Project Logo
DOI of the original publication
Project type
angewandte Forschung
Project start
01.06.2019
Project end
30.11.2022
Project status
abgeschlossen
Project contact
Vasilatou, Konstantina
Project manager
Contributors
Mudway, Ian S.
Hoffmann, Katrin
Kåredal, Monika
Larsson Callerfelt, Anna-Karin
Leni, Zaira
Noble, James
Quincey, Paul
Resch-Genger, Ute
Saamio, Karri
Description
Abstract
The overall goal of this project is to identify correlations between particle component/properties (metrics) with adverse outcome pathways that are associated with the induction of acute and chronic health effects within the European population. This will be delivered through the development of a new method for studying in-vitro cytotoxicity based on the use of ‘tailored’ synthetic ambient aerosols combined with high-resolution optical imaging and state-of-the-art cell analysis methods.
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
School
Hochschule für Technik
Institute
lnstitut für Sensorik und Elektronik
Financed by
European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR)
Project partner
Eidgenössisches Institut für Metrologie METAS
Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)
Lund University
Universität Bern
National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Finish Meteorological Institute
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Contracting authority
SAP reference
T456-0040-2
Keywords
Subject (DDC)
500 - Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik
Publications
Publication
The organic coating unit, an all-in-one system for reproducible generation of secondary organic aerosol
(22.06.2022) Keller, Alejandro; Specht, Patrick; Steigmeier, Peter; Kalbermatter, Daniel; Hammer, Tobias; Vasilatou, Konstantina; Wolfer, Kate; Resch, Julian; Kalberer, Markus
06 - Präsentation
Publication
The organic coating unit, an all-in-one system for reproducible generation of secondary organic matter aerosol
(Taylor & Francis, 18.08.2022) Keller, Alejandro; Kalbermatter, Daniel M.; Wolfer, Kate; Specht, Patrick; Steigmeier, Peter; Resch, Julian; Kalberer, Markus; Hammer, Tobias; Vasilatou, Konstantina [in: Aerosol Science and Technology]
We report on a novel automated oxidation flow reactor to generate a wide variety of organic aerosol samples. The instrument is equipped with a humidifier, a dosing system for volatile organic precursors and an oxidation flow reactor (OFR) for generation of secondary organic matter (SOM). The instrument, known as organic coating unit (OCU), can produce homogeneously nucleated SOM particles or, used in combination with a standard combustion generator (e.g., a diffusion flame soot generator or any other seed particle), particles coated with a controlled amount of SOM. The physical and chemical properties of the generated particles can be controlled in a simple manner by selecting through a touch-screen target values for parameters, such as organic gaseous precursor concentration, humidity, and UV (ultraviolet) light intensity. Parameters and measured quantities are automatically stored in text files for easy export and analysis. Furthermore, we provide stable operation conditions and characterize the physicochemical properties of the generated aerosols with an array of methods, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal-optical analysis and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). This all-in-one instrument is robust, compact, portable, and user-friendly, making it ideal for laboratory or field-based aerosol studies.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
Publication
The organic coating unit, an all-in-one system for reproducible generation of secondary organic aerosol
(06.09.2022) Keller, Alejandro; Kalbermatter, Daniel; Specht, Patrick; Steigmeier, Peter; Wolfer, Katherin; Resch, Julian; Kalberer, Markus; Hammer, Tobias; Vasilatou, Konstantina
06 - Präsentation
Publication
Coated soot particles with tunable, well-controlled properties generated in the laboratory with a miniCAST BC and a micro smog chamber
(Elsevier, 28.05.2021) Ess, Michaela N.; Bertò, Michele; Keller, Alejandro; Gysel, Martin; Vasilatou, Konstantina [in: Journal of Aerosol Science]
A Micro Smog Chamber (MSC) was coupled for the first time with a miniCAST 5201 Type BC combustion generator with the aim to produce a series of stable and reproducible model aerosols simulating the physical properties of combustion particles present in ambient air. With this setup it was possible to generate particles ranging from “fresh” soot (single scattering albedo SSA≤0.05, absorption Ångström exponent AAE close to 1, high EC/TC mass fraction (approximately 90%) and mobility diameter typically <100 nm) to “aged” soot with different amounts of organic coating. The “aged” soot particles could grow up to 200 nm and exhibited high SSA (up to 0.7 at λ = 870 nm), an increased AAE (up to 1.7) and low EC/TC mass fraction (down to <10%). The ageing was achieved by coating the soot particles with increasing amounts of secondary organic matter (SOM) formed by the photo-oxidation of α-pinene or mesitylene in the MSC. Thereby, the SSA and AAE increased with coating thickness, while the EC/TC mass fraction decreased. Over the experimental period of 2 h, the generation of the “aged” soot aerosols was stable with a standard deviation in particle size and number concentration of <1% and <6%, respectively. The day-to-day reproducibility was also satisfactory: with α-pinene as SOM precursor the variability (standard deviation) in particle size was <2% and in the AAE and SSA < 6%. Particle number concentrations up to 106 cm−3 and mass concentrations up to 15 mg/m3 (depending on particle size and SOM amount) could be generated, much higher than what has been reported with other oxidation flow reactors. The generated carbonaceous aerosols could find useful applications in the field of aerosol instrument calibration, particularly in the standardization of filter-based absorption photometers under controlled conditions.
01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift

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