Project 2: Characterization and Exposure Assessment

Overview of project

The focus of Project 2 is the measurement of specific chemical components and physical characteristics of PM from different areas of the country  in support of the Center focus, which is assessing characteristics of PM that determine toxicity.  The goals of the project are to collect bulk PM samples for use in biological assays and for detailed characterization including mass, inorganic ions, elemental carbon and organic compounds, specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , elemental metals and their oxides, and sulfur isotope ratios. The Project 2 Team will also collect information on particle size.  The objectives of Project 2 include:

• Development of methods for collecting bulk ambient PM, and a system for characterizing the chemical and physical properties of ambient PM;
• Identification of  specific regional differences in PM characteristics that may contribute to differential biological responses demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo bioassay systems;
• Assessment of a relationship between human exposure to PM_2.5 and biological response during a high PM_2.5 exposure period and a low PM_2.5 exposure period.

Research in Progress

Current research can be viewed in the annual Progress Reports:

Year 1 Progress Report

Year 2 Progress Report

Selected Publications

Recent published articles detailing the work of Project 1 include those in conjunction with Project 3 research.