Insights into Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from Volatile Chemical Products

HUAWEI LI, Don Collins, David R. Cocker III, University of California, Riverside

     Abstract Number: 122
     Working Group: Aerosol Chemistry

Abstract
In the pursuit of improved air quality, regulatory initiatives have achieved notable success in mitigating traditional sources of emissions such as traffic and industrial activities. Nonetheless, the persistence of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) presents a formidable challenge. Recent investigations underscore the significance of volatile chemical products (VCPs) as a predominant urban source of organic emissions, particularly evident in regions like Los Angeles. Despite constituting a mere 4% of petrochemical products, VCPs contribute over half of urban volatile organic compound emissions in this locale (McDonald et al., 2018), underscoring the urgency for a comprehensive study of SOA formation from VCPs and their constituent chemicals.

This study aims to characterize SOA formation originating from VCPs, including personal care and household products, alongside their emitted precursors. Selection criteria for precursors were based on chemical composition and anticipated impact on SOA formation. Experimental assessments include SOA formation from both VCPs and individual ingredients, with comparative analyses between total SOA generated by ingredients and VCPs. Results indicate substantial SOA production from both complex VCP mixtures and individual ingredients. Notably, chemical transformations occurring during product formulation exert a pronounced influence on the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) from volatile chemical products (VCPs), distinguishing their SOA formation from that of constituent ingredients. It emphasizes the necessity for further research to elucidate the air quality implications of personal care and household products.