Regensburg 2016 – scientific programme

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UP: Fachverband Umweltphysik

UP 3: Atmosphere - Aerosols

UP 3.4: Talk

Tuesday, March 8, 2016, 15:00–15:15, H41

Diesel vehicle generated nanoparticles with maximum lung intrusion efficiency: Formation, effects, and recent findings — •Frank Arnold^1,5, Liisa Pirjola^2,3, Topi Roenkoe⁴, Ulrike Reichl¹, Hans Schlager⁵, Tero Laehde^{2, 4}, Jirki Heikkilae⁴, and Jorma Keskinen⁴ — ¹Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK), Heidelberg, Germany — ²Department of Technology, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland — ³Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Finland — ⁴Aerosol Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 692, FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland — ⁵Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und Raumfahrt (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany

Modern Diesel vehicle exhaust after-treatment systems (ATS) can promote formation of low-vapor-pressure gases, which may undergo nucleation and condensation, leading to nucleation particles(NUP). NUP have diameters around 10-20 nm, which allow intrusion, with maximum efficiency, of the deepest and most vulnerable region of the hunman lung. Indications for adverse health effects of NUP have increased during recent time. However, NUP are presently not regulated by legislation. The chemical nature and formation mechanism of NUP are only poorly explored. Here, we present novel online measurements of NUP precursor gases and NUP, conducted in Diesel vehicle exhaust. We find that strong acids (particularly sulfuric acid and certain di-carboxylic acids)are efficient drivers of NUP formation and early growth. Interestingly, their formation is increased by modern Diesel exhaust after-treatment systems. Diesel NUP deserve increased future attention.