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Final Report: Urban PM2.5 Surface Chemistry and Interactions with Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF)

EPA Grant Number: R827351C011
Subproject: this is subproject number 011 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R827351
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: EPA NYU PM Center: Health Risks of PM Components
Center Director: Lippmann, Morton
Title: Urban PM2.5 Surface Chemistry and Interactions with Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF)
Investigators: Kendall, Michaela
Institution: NYU School of Medicine
EPA Project Officer: Stacey Katz/Gail Robarge,
Project Period: June 1, 1999 through May 31, 2005 (Extended to May 31, 2006)
RFA: Airborne Particulate Matter (PM) Centers (1999)
Research Category: Particulate Matter

Description:

Objective:

The objective of this research project was to investigate the surface chemistry of urban fine particles (PM2.5), and to quantify the adsorbed and desorbed species exposed to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Urban background and roadside PM2.5 samples of different mass concentration and total weight were collected in triplicate in the South Bronx region of New York City. Simultaneously, the concentrations of other atmospheric pollutants (CO, NOx, SO2, O3, EC) were measured, and weather conditions recorded. The collected PM2.5 samples underwent one of three treatments; no treatment, treatment in vitro with BALF, or treatment in a saline solution (control). The surfaces of untreated, saline and BALF treated PM2.5 samples were then analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). These results were then compared with ambient air pollutant concentrations, weather variables, selected BALF characteristics, and results from a previous London study conducted using identical methods.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

Both surface techniques were useful in detecting surface species and observing changes in surface concentrations. The surface of untreated urban PM2.5 consisted of 79 to 87% carbon and 10 to 16% oxygen with smaller contributions of N, S, Si and P in the samples from both locations. A wide variety of other inorganic (metals, Cl-, NH4+) and organic species (aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons) were detected with ToF-SIMS. The surface characteristics of particles from the roadside and background sites were very similar, except for higher (p<0.05) nitrate concentrations at the roadside PM2.5 that were attributable to higher roadside NOx concentrations. Comparable species and quantities were identified in a previous study of London PM2.5, but PM2.5 surface chemistry differed considerably from other sources, particularly in surface concentrations of oxygen and trace species.

After treatment with BALF, the N-C signal detected by XPS analysis increased by an average of 372±203%, indicating significant surface adsorption of protein or other N-containing biomolecules. Lower N-C signals were observed for BALF from smokers. ToF-SIMS data confirmed N adsorption after BALF treatment, and also indicated an adsorption of phospholipid on the PM2.5 surfaces in terms of increased fragment ions characteristic of phospholipid adsorption. The primary phospholipid in BALF is DPPC, although positive identification was not possible. Oxygen content of PM2.5 surfaces was the most significant determinant of both N-C and phospholipid adsorption. The XPS signal of the soluble species NH4+, NO32-, Si and S decreased in both saline and BALF treated samples, showing that these species may be bioavailable in the lung.In particular, surface oxygen concentrations were found to increase with “aged” PM2.5, so that clean air PM2.5 was > NYC and London PM2.5, which was > tobacco smoke PM2.5.

Conclusions:

We have shown that PM2.5 surface chemistry can be analyzed and differentiated using two sensitive surface analytical techniques, XPS and ToFSIMS. PM2.5 surfaces in New York City are similar in overall composition to PM2.5 surfaces analyzed in London. Distinct differences in surface chemistry were also found comparing urban PM2.5 from different types of locations. The wide variations in carbon:oxygen ratios detected could be used to distinguish smoke, urban and “clean air” PM2.5. It is proposed that such differences may be an important—and hitherto unconsidered—determinant in the health effects of PM2.5 exposure. In this study, we also showed that consistently large increases of the N-C signal from PM2.5 surfaces occur as a result of interactions with BALF, and we attribute these increases to protein adsorption.

Technical Report:

Long Version of Final Report (PDF) (2 pp, 25 K, About PDF)


Journal Articles on this Report: 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Other subproject views: All 2 publications 2 publications in selected types All 2 journal articles
Other center views: All 95 publications 86 publications in selected types All 74 journal articles

Type Citation Sub Project Document Sources
Journal Article Kendall M, Brown L, Trought K. Molecular adsorption at particle surfaces: a PM toxicity mediation mechanism. Inhalation Toxicology 2004;16(Suppl 1):99-105. R827351 (2003)
R827351 (Final)
R827351C011 (2003)
R827351C011 (Final)
  • Abstract from PubMed
    • Journal Article Kendall M, Guntern J, Lockyer NP, Jones FH, Hutton BM, Lippmann M, Tetley TD. Urban PM2.5 surface chemistry and interactions with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Inhalation Toxicology 2004;16(Suppl 1):115-128. R827351 (2003)
    R827351 (Final)
    R827351C011 (2002)
    R827351C011 (Final)
    		 not available
    Supplemental Keywords:

    PM2.5, surface chemistry, , ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Air, Scientific Discipline, Health, RFA, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Health Risk Assessment, Physical Processes, Atmospheric Sciences, particulate matter, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, exposure assessment, COPD, ambient air quality, chemical characteristics, epidemelogy, bronchoalveolar lining fluid, airway contractile properties, human health risk, particulates, toxicology, atmospheric particles, acute lung injury, lung hypoxia, pulmonary hypertension, air pollution, environmental risks, ambient air monitoring, atmospheric particulate matter, exposure, atmospheric aerosol particles, airborne particulate matter, human exposure, PM
    Relevant Websites:

    Long Version of Final Report (PDF) (2 pp, 25 K, About PDF)
    http://www.med.nyu.edu/environmental/ exit EPA
    http://es.epa.gov/ncer/science/pm/centers.html

    Progress and Final Reports:
    2001 Progress Report
    2002 Progress Report
    2003 Progress Report
    Original Abstract


    Main Center Abstract and Reports:
    R827351    EPA NYU PM Center: Health Risks of PM Components

    Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
    R827351C001 Exposure Characterization Error
    R827351C002 X-ray CT-based Assessment of Variations in Human Airway Geometry: Implications for Evaluation of Particle Deposition and Dose to Different Populations
    R827351C003 Asthma Susceptibility to PM2.5
    R827351C004 Health Effects of Ambient Air PM in Controlled Human Exposures
    R827351C005 Physicochemical Parameters of Combustion Generated Atmospheres as Determinants of PM Toxicity
    R827351C006 Effects of Particle-Associated Irritants on the Cardiovascular System
    R827351C007 Role of PM-Associated Transition Metals in Exacerbating Infectious Pneumoniae in Exposed Rats
    R827351C008 Immunomodulation by PM: Role of Metal Composition and Pulmonary Phagocyte Iron Status
    R827351C009 Health Risks of Particulate Matter Components: Center Service Core
    R827351C010 Lung Hypoxia as Potential Mechanisms for PM-Induced Health Effects
    R827351C011 Urban PM2.5 Surface Chemistry and Interactions with Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF)
    R827351C012 Subchronic PM2.5 Exposure Study at the NYU PM Center
    R827351C013 Long Term Health Effects of Concentrated Ambient PM2.5
    R827351C014 PM Components and NYC Respiratory and Cardiovascular Morbidity
    R827351C015 Development of a Real-Time Monitoring System for Acidity and Soluble Components in Airborne Particulate Matter
    R827351C016 Automated Real-Time Ambient Fine PM Monitoring System

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    The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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