Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/K008218/1
Online quantification of health-relevant aerosol particle components
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor M Kalberer, University of Cambridge, Chemistry
- Grant held at:
- University of Cambridge, Chemistry
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Atmospheric
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- None
- Abstract:
- Atmospheric aerosol particles are one of the most important air pollution components exacerbating respiratory diseases and causing premature deaths. A large number of epidemiological studies have demonstrated this effect and mechanistic in vivo animal studies have provided supporting evidence. The particle properties causing the observed health effects (e.g.,size, number, chemical composition) are poorly understood. Currently European legal limits regulating particulate air pollution are based only on particle mass per cubic meter air without considering any other particle properties. The lack of a more appropriate, toxicologically relevant metric reflects our very limited understanding of the aerosol composition and the absence of appropriate analytical-chemical methods. It is often assumed that particle components, once deposited in the lung, cause oxidative damage in the lung epithelium. The large number of compound classes that could contribute to such an oxidative damage are collectively defined as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Most currently available methods to quantify ROS are based offline techniques, i.e., only time stable components are quantified. However, there are many oxidizing components in atmospheric particles that are not only highly oxidizing but also short-lived such as peroxides and radicals. There is therefore a need for the development of novel analytical techniques that can quantify these highly reactive and short-lived health-relevant aerosol components. We recently developed an online instrument where ROS react within seconds to minutes assuring that also the most reactive and short-lived ROS components are quantified. The main aims of this project are 1. To further develop our new laboratory-based instrument into a field deployable instrument capable of quantifying ROS concentrations in particles. 2. To expand the analytical capability of the new instrument, which will allow quantifying specifically organic radicals in aerosols. 3. To compare and bench-mark the new instrument in laboratory experiments against established offline ROS quantification methods. 4. To test the new field deployable instrument at air monitoring sites in London. The main challenge of developing our current online ROS instrument into a portable, field deployable instrument is to assure that it can be operated unattended for at least 24 hours. This will be achieved e.g., by a careful selection of temperature regulated reagent reservoirs to assure signal stability over a prolonged time. Expanding the capability of the instrument to quantify specifically organic radicals will only require an adaptation of the liquid flow reaction system without changing any hardware components. Radicals are one of the most oxidizing components of ROS and thus have potentially significant health impacts. They are also key intermediates in the oxidation schemes of all organic compounds in the atmosphere, but very little is known about radicals in the particle phase. We have established contacts with a world-leading radical chemistry research group who will provide us with a unique spin-trap optimized for atmospheric applications. This spin-trap reacts selectively with radicals leading to a fluorescent reaction product. The performance of the newly developed instrument will be compared and bench-marked against established methods assessing the oxidative potential of particles (all methods are all routinely used in the groups of the co-supervisors). Laboratory-generated particles with varying degrees of oxidation will be used for this characterization study. The instrument will then be operated during two field campaigns (one in winter, one in summer) at a roadside and an urban background site in London. Results will be compared with other air pollution parameters routinely measured at these sites to identify potential sources of ROS in an urban environment and to contribute to an improved understanding of particlerelated toxicity.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/K008218/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Analytical Sci and Tech
This training grant award has a total value of £73,026
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £13,978 | £9,856 | £49,194 |
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