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

• Published in: Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995) Vol. 50; no. 9; pp. 1565 - 1618
• Main Authors: Lighty, JoAnn Slama, Veranth, John M., Sarofim, Adel F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pittsburgh, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01.09.2000; Air & Waste Management Association
• Subjects: Adult; Aerosols; Air - standards; Air Pollutants - chemistry; Air Pollution - prevention & control; Air pollution caused by fuel industries; Air Pollution, Indoor - prevention & control; Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding; Aircraft; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Carbon; Characteristics of pollutants and their action; Child; Coal; Combustion and energy production; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Environment. Living conditions; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Illness; Exact sciences and technology; Fires; Humans; Incineration; Inhalation Exposure; Medical sciences; Models, Theoretical; Particle Size; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Surface Properties; Urban Population; Vehicle Emissions; Chemical analysis; Toxicity; Soot; Emission content; Pollutant creation; Combustion product; Review; Pollutant emission; Epidemiology; Submicron particle; Ambient air concentration; Fine particle; Ash; Chemical composition; Public health; Human; Legislation; Pollution prevention; Air quality; Impact study; Exposure; Risk analysis; Suspended particle; Particle size distribution; Atmospheric chemistry; Morphology; Pollution source; Aerosols; Air pollution; Measurement method
• ISSN: 1096-2247; 2162-2906
• DOI: 10.1080/10473289.2000.10464197

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 2.5 ) 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.