When:       Wednesday 27 February 2013

Time:         11h30

Venue:      The Avogadro, Chemistry Building, Room 3.22

Epidemiological studies have shown that ambient particulate matter (PM) causes adverse health effects. The WHO stated that combustion generated carbonaceous particles as well as anthropogenic particles containing organics and/or transition metal species are of particular health concern. Furthermore secondary organic aerosol, especially when generated in the polluted atmosphere, may play an important role.

In order to better understand the reason for the ambient PM-related health effects it is mandatory to investigate the PM emissions and the chemical composition of the ambient aerosol more thoroughly. In this context cooperation with epidemiological and biological research is very important. Up to now most studies on PM emissions and composition still focus on the inorganic content. The organic matter often only is represented as sum-value of organic carbon (OC). The organic species however are not only important as potential health threads but also represent powerful source indicators.

In the presentation an overview on our aerosol-sampling strategies for ambient and emission particulates are reported and an improved method is presented for the determination of particle bound organic compounds (POC) based on direct thermal desorption of particles collected on a filter followed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Methods and results from different investigations ranging from emission testing, artificial aging of emission aerosols in a smog chamber to ambient monitoring of POC will be presented.

Contact person: Dr Patricia Forbes, Ph: (012) 420 5426