California Air Resources Board

Principal Investigator/Author: John Seinfeld

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Contract number: 22RD015

Relevant CARB programs: California State Implementation Plans

Topic areas: Air Pollution Exposure, State Implementation Plans (SIPs), Particulate Matter (PM), PM2.5, Emissions Data

Research Summary:

Caltech researchers are investigating air quality in the South Coast Air Basin, focusing on understanding the impact of a special type of chemicals called volatile chemical products. They are using field measurements, lab experiments, and computer models to analyze data collected during a 2021 research campaign. By identifying and studying these chemicals, they aim to grasp their effects on air pollution and contribute to cleaner air in California.

Keywords: PM2.5, secondary organic aerosols, volatile chemical products, air quality, emission sources, state implementation plans, source apportionment, air quality trend