California Air Resources Board

Principal Investigator/Author: Don Collins

Contractor: University of California, Riverside

Contract number: 21RD010

Project Status: Active

Relevant CARB programs: California State Implementation Plans, Community Air Protection Program

Topic areas: Air Pollution Exposure, State Implementation Plans (SIPs), Particulate Matter (PM), PM2.5, Emissions Data, Light-Duty Vehicles, Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Diesel Exhaust, Heavy-Duty Vehicle Research, Environmental Justice

Research Summary:

This project aims to better understand where air particulate matter comes from and how it changes when certain chemicals are released into the air. The University of California, Riverside will conduct four separate four-week studies in different areas of California known for pollution. They will use special tools to measure the gases and particles in the air, especially a type of small particle called PM2.5. The measurements will help us see how air particulate matter forms and changes in different conditions. The results of these experiments will be used to understand present-day sources of air particulate matter and the anticipated changes in their level accompanying future reductions in the emissions sources.

Keywords: PM2.5, secondary organic aerosols, formation regime, air quality, emission sources, state implementation plans, sources, air quality trend, sensitivity, environmental justice