Insights on Indoor New Particle Formation Using the PSMPS – A Mobility Particle Size Spectrometer Capable of Measuring Particles in the Size Range from 1.1 to 55 nm

GERHARD STEINER, Satya Patra, Jinglin Jiang, Connor Keech, Joonas Vanhanen, Aki Pajunoja, Nusrat Jung, Brandon E. Boor, Grimm Aerosol Technik Ainring

     Abstract Number: 320
     Working Group: Exhibitor and Instrument Application Showcase

Abstract
New particle formation (NPF) is widely known to be an important source of atmospheric particles (Kulmala et al. 2013) and contributes up to 50% to global cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) levels (Spracklen et al. 2008, Merikanto et al. 2009). NPF can also be a significant indoor source of ultrafine particles in buildings, which can lead to high inhaled deposited dose rates throughout the human respiratory system (Jiang et al. 2021, Rosales et al. 2022), thereby having a strong impact on human health. In order to understand the basic mechanisms of NPF and to calculate formation rates and size-resolved growth rates of freshly formed particles in indoor and outdoor atmospheres, it is crucial to measure aerosol number size distributions starting from the sub-3 nm size range.

In this collaborative presentation, we will share insights recent field measurements of indoor NPF events triggered by monoterpene ozonolysis during household activities. Given that people spend most of their time indoors and that monoterpene-based products are widely used, research is needed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of indoor NPF events during normal household activities in residential buildings – contribution from Purdue University.

The technical focus will lie on how to calibrate and how to utilize the newly developed tool, the Particle Size Magnifier – Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (PSMPS). The PSMPS combines a short differential mobility analyzer (S-DMA), a diethylene glycol-based particle size magnifier (PSM), and a butanol-based condensation particle counter (CPC) – contribution from Grimm Aerosol Technik, Durag Inc., and Airmodus Ltd.

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[3] Merikanto, J. et al. (2009). Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9:8601-8616.
[4] Rosales, C.M.F. et al. (2022). Science Advances, 8(8):eabj9156.
[5] Spracklen, D.V. et al. (2008). Geophys. Res. Lett., 35:L06808.