Photochemical Aging Induces Changes in the Effective Densities, Morphologies, and Optical Properties of Combustion Aerosol Particles.

Effective density (ρeff) is an important property describing particle transportation in the atmosphere and in the human respiratory tract. In this study, the particle size dependency of ρeff was determined for fresh and photochemically aged particles from residential combustion of wood logs and brown coal, as well as from an aerosol standard (CAST) burner. ρeff increased considerably due to photochemical aging, especially for soot agglomerates larger than 100 nm in mobility diameter. The increase depends on the presence of condensable vapors and agglomerate size and can be explained by collapsing of chain-like agglomerates and filling of their voids and formation of secondary coating. The measured and modeled particle optical properties suggest that while light absorption, scattering, and the single-scattering albedo of soot particle increase during photochemical processing, their radiative forcing remains positive until the amount of nonabsorbing coating exceeds approximately 90% of the particle mass.

Genotoxic and inflammatory effects of spruce and brown coal briquettes combustion aerosols on lung cells at the air-liquid interface.

Solid fuel usage in residential heating and cooking is one of the largest sources of ambient and indoor air particulate matter, which causes adverse effects on the health of millions of peoples worldwide. Emissions from solid fuel combustion, such as biomass or coal, are detrimental to health, but toxicological responses are largely unknown. In the present study, we compared the toxicological responses regarding cytotoxicity, inflammation and genotoxicity of spruce (SPR) and brown coal briquette (BCB) combustion aerosols on human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) as well as a coculture of A549 and differentiated human monocytic cells (THP-1) into macrophages exposed at the air-liquid interface (ALI). We included both the high emissions from the first hour and moderate emissions from the third hour of the batch combustion experiment in one ALI system, whereas, in the second ALI system, we exposed the cells during the whole 4-hour combustion experiment, including all combustion phases. Physico-chemical properties of the combustion aerosol were analysed both online and offline. Both SPR and BCB combustion aerosols caused mild cytotoxic but notable genotoxic effects in co-cultured A549 cells after one-hour exposure. Inflammatory response analysis revealed BCB combustion aerosols to cause a mild increase in CXCL1 and CXCL8 levels, but in the case of SPR combustion aerosol, a decrease compared to control was observed.

Concentrations and number size distribution of fine and nanoparticles in a traditional Finnish bakery.

In bakeries, high concentrations of flour dust can exist and ovens release particles into the air as well. Particle concentrations (mass, number) and number size distribution may vary considerably but the variation is not commonly studied. Furthermore, the role of the smallest size fractions is rarely considered in the exposure assessment due to their small mass. The objectives of this work were to find out how concentrations and number size distribution of fine and nanoparticles vary in a traditional Finnish bakery and to determine the exposure of a dough maker to the nanoparticle fraction of the inhalable dust. Two measurement campaigns were carried out in a traditional, small-scale bakery. Sampling was performed at the breathing zone of the dough maker and three stationary locations: baking area, oven area, and flour depository. Both real-time measurements and conventional gravimetric sampling were conducted. Nanoparticle fraction of the inhalable dust was determined using an IOM sampler with a customized precyclone. Number concentration of fine and nanoparticles, and mass concentrations of both the inhalable dust and nanoparticles were high. The nanoparticle fraction was 9-15% of the inhalable dust at the breathing zone of the dough maker. Different sources, such as ovens and doughnut baking affected the number size distribution. Flour dust contained nanoparticles but most of the fine and nanoparticles were released into the air from the oven operations. However, nanoparticles are not a primary concern in bakeries compared to health effects linked to the large flour particles such as flour-induced sensitization or asthma and development of occupational rhinitis.

Effective density and morphology of particles emitted from small-scale combustion of various wood fuels.

The effective density of fine particles emitted from small-scale wood combustion of various fuels were determined with a system consisting of an aerosol particle mass analyzer and a scanning mobility particle sizer (APM-SMPS). A novel sampling chamber was combined to the system to enable measurements of highly fluctuating combustion processes. In addition, mass-mobility exponents (relates mass and mobility size) were determined from the density data to describe the shape of the particles. Particle size, type of fuel, combustion phase, and combustion conditions were found to have an effect on the effective density and the particle shape. For example, steady combustion phase produced agglomerates with effective density of roughly 1 g cm(-3) for small particles, decreasing to 0.25 g cm(-3) for 400 nm particles. The effective density was higher for particles emitted from glowing embers phase (ca. 1-2 g cm(-3)), and a clear size dependency was not observed as the particles were nearly spherical in shape. This study shows that a single value cannot be used for the effective density of particles emitted from wood combustion.

Nanosized TiO2 caused minor airflow limitation in the murine airways.

The use of nanotechnology is increasing exponentially, whereas the possible adverse health effects of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are so far less known. Standardized mouse bioassay was used to study sensory and pulmonary irritation, airflow limitation, and inflammation potency of nanosized TiO(2). Single exposure (0.5 h) to in situ generated TiO(2) (primary particle size 20 nm; geometric mean diameters of 91, 113, and 130 nm at mass concentrations of 8, 20, and 30 mg/m(3), respectively; crystal phase anatase + brookite (3:1)) caused airflow limitation in the conducting airways at each studied exposure concentration, which was shown as a reduction in expiratory flow, being at the lowest 73% of baseline. The response was not dose dependent. Repeated exposures (altogether 16 h, 1 h/day, 4 days/week for 4 weeks) to TiO(2) at mass concentration of 30 mg/m(3) caused as intense airflow limitation effect as the single exposures, and the extent of the responses stayed about the same along the exposure days. Sensory irritation was fairly minor. Pulmonary irritation was more pronounced during the latter part of the repeated exposures compared to the single exposures and the beginning of the repeated exposures. Sensory and pulmonary irritation were observed also in the control group, and, therefore, reaction by-products (NO(2) and C(3)H(6)) may have contributed to the irritation effects. TiO(2) NPs accumulated mainly in the pulmonary macrophages, and they did not cause nasal or pulmonary inflammation. In conclusion, the irritation and inflammation potencies of studied TiO(2) seemed to be low.

An amorphous solid state of biogenic secondary organic aerosol particles.

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles are formed in the atmosphere from condensable oxidation products of anthropogenic and biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). On a global scale, biogenic VOCs account for about 90% of VOC emissions and of SOA formation (90 billion kilograms of carbon per year). SOA particles can scatter radiation and act as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, and thereby influence the Earth's radiation balance and climate. They consist of a myriad of different compounds with varying physicochemical properties, and little information is available on the phase state of SOA particles. Gas-particle partitioning models usually assume that SOA particles are liquid, but here we present experimental evidence that they can be solid under ambient conditions. We investigated biogenic SOA particles formed from oxidation products of VOCs in plant chamber experiments and in boreal forests within a few hours after atmospheric nucleation events. On the basis of observed particle bouncing in an aerosol impactor and of electron microscopy we conclude that biogenic SOA particles can adopt an amorphous solid-most probably glassy-state. This amorphous solid state should provoke a rethinking of SOA processes because it may influence the partitioning of semi-volatile compounds, reduce the rate of heterogeneous chemical reactions, affect the particles' ability to accommodate water and act as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, and change the atmospheric lifetime of the particles. Thus, the results of this study challenge traditional views of the kinetics and thermodynamics of SOA formation and transformation in the atmosphere and their implications for air quality and climate.