Development of Analytical Technique Advancements (DATA) for Identifying and Quantifying Toxic Air Contaminants in Ambient Air Samples

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Principal Investigator/Author: Anthony S. Wexler

Contractor: University of California, Davis

Contract number: 24RD011

Project Status: Active

Relevant CARB programs: Air Toxics Program, Community Air Protection Program

Topic areas: Particulate Matter (PM), Toxic Air Contaminants

 

Research Summary:

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has previously contracted with Dr. Anthony Wexler from the University of California, Davis (UCD) to develop the Toxic-metal Aerosol Real-Time Analysis (TARTA) instrument (CARB Contract 17RD022). The TARTA instrument is portable, has inexpensive (parts cost less than $3,000 compared to $150,000 or more for current instruments) and uses little power so can be run on a battery or vehicle 12-volt accessory plug. However, the TARTA instrument cannot detect arsenic because the wavelengths emitted by arsenic is not compatible with TARTA optics. The TARTA instrument can detect chromium (Cr), but cannot differentiate between Cr(III), a nutrient and Cr(VI), a carcinogen.

Furthermore, the TARTA instrument cannot detect toxic organics because the analytical technique is not suitable for organics, but Dr. Wexler has received funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the University of California Office of the President to develop portable, low-cost, battery-powered analytical techniques for quantifying toxic volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the atmosphere, so this important need can be fulfilled, but what is still lacking are suitable analytical techniques for quantifying toxic organics in the particle phase.

 The objectives of this project are to: 

  1. Integrate UV detection of arsenic into TARTA and test that capability.
  2. Explore analytical techniques for quantifying Cr(VI) in atmospheric particles.
  3. Explore analytical techniques for quantifying toxic organic compounds in particulate matter with a portable, low-cost, battery-powered package.

The long-term goal of the work is to empower communities by developing affordable instruments that can measure the toxics in the atmospheres where people live, work, recreate, and learn.

 

Keywords: toxic metals, particle matters, toxic organic compounds, low-cost