A Compact Instrument for Time-Resolved Airborne Particle Chemistry

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案解决了对直径小于2.5 m的大气颗粒的化学成分进行广泛、时间分辨测量的需求。这些细颗粒物与发病率和死亡率的增加有关。它们通过对全球气候的影响以及对云的形成、反照率和寿命的影响，在公共卫生方面发挥间接作用。我们的方法使用“智能”采样器，在单个收集晶片上收集顺序的，准备分析的样品，并在其上写入所有相关的收集数据，如位置，时间和空气量。收集晶片在实验室中由自动进样器离子色谱仪系统处理，该系统可以提取，注入和分析样品，而无需实验室操作员手动处理。此外，实验室系统被编程为读取晶圆片上的闪存，并将分析数据与收集信息结合起来，产生一个简化的数据集，分析物浓度以5g/m3的空气表示。该项目旨在通过正在进行的开发和现场测试，以及正在进行的美国国立卫生研究院资助的流行病学研究和环境空气监测项目，来完善、验证和演示该系统。它还寻求扩展分析能力，包括更快，更敏感的芯片实验室分析方法。我们的目标是为环境监测和暴露评估研究提供一种具有成本效益的每小时监测空气中颗粒物化学成分的方法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal addresses the need to provide widespread, time-resolved measurement of the chemical composition of atmospheric particles that are below 2.5 5m in diameter. These fine particles have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. They play an indirect role in public health through their influence on global climate and their influence on the formation, albedo and lifetime of clouds. Our approach uses a "smart" sampler that collects sequential, ready-to-analyze samples on a single collection wafer, onto which is written all of the relevant collection data such as location, time and air volume. The collection wafer is handled in the laboratory by an autosampler ion chromatograph system that extracts, injects and analyzes the samples without manual handling by the laboratory operator. Further, the laboratory system is programmed to read the flash memory on the wafer and to combine the analytical data with the collection information to produce a reduced data set, with analyte concentrations expressed in 5g/m3 of air. This project seeks to refine, validate and demonstrate this system through ongoing development and field testing in conjunction with on-going NIH-funded epidemiology studies and ambient air monitoring programs. It also seeks to extend analytical capabilities to include the faster, more sensitive lab-on-a-chip analysis methods. We aim to provide a cost-effective method for hourly- resolved monitoring of the chemical constituents of airborne particulate for both environmental monitoring and exposure assessment studies. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Small airborne particles are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and affect global climate through their influence on the formation and lifetime of clouds. This proposal addresses the need to better understand the origins and concentrations of these particles by providing an affordable means for time-resolved assay of their chemical composition.