Combustion Aerosols: Factors Governing Their Size and Composition and Implications to Human Health

JoAnn Slama Lighty, John M. Veranth, Adel F. Sarofim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1005 Scopus citations

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) emissions from stationary  combustion  sources burning coal, fuel oil, biomass, and waste, and PM from internal  combustion  (IC) engines burning gasoline and diesel, are a significant source of primary particles smaller than 2.5 μm (PM<sub> 2.5</sub> ) in urban areas.  Combustion -generated particles are generally smaller than geologically produced dust and have unique chemical composition and morphology. The fundamental processes affecting formation of  combustion  PM and the emission characteristics of important applications are reviewed. Particles containing transition metals, ultrafine particles, and soot are emphasized because these types of particles have been studied extensively, and their emissions are controlled by the fuel composition and the oxidant-tem-perature-mixing history from the flame to the stack. There is a need for better integration of the  combustion , air pollution control, atmospheric chemistry, and inhalation health research communities. Epidemiology has demonstrated that susceptible individuals are being harmed by ambient PM. Particle surface area, number of ultrafine particles, bioavailable transition metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and other particle-bound organic compounds are suspected to be more important than particle mass in determining the effects of air pollution. Time- and size-resolved PM measurements are needed for testing mechanistic toxicological hypotheses, for characterizing the relationship between  combustion  operating conditions and transient emissions, and for source apportionment studies to develop air quality plans. Citations are provided to more specialized reviews, and the concluding comments make suggestions for further research.
Original languageAmerican English
JournalJournal of Air & Waste Management Association
Volume50
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2000
Externally publishedYes

EGS Disciplines

  • Chemical Engineering

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